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Arrow Video 4K UHD Blu-ray Standard Edition with all versions 
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Comparison between the extended version on the MGM Blu-ray (2014) (identical in terms of editing to the main film in variant #1 “Play” on disc 2 of the 4K UHD Blu-ray from Arrow Video) and the Easter Egg bonus version from Arrow Video (variant #5: Special Features > Play with uncut torture scene > "Play with Grotto...and more!" on disc 2 of the 4K UHD Blu-ray from Arrow Video)
19 differences with a duration of 174 sec (= 2:54 min) [excluding logo/credit differences], including
Starting point for the British 4K Blu-ray release of THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLYIn the report on A Fistful of Dollars and shortly afterwards in the report on For a Few Dollars More, we already noted that in May 2025, the cult label Arrow Video released truly fantastic editions of Sergio Leone's two classic Italian westerns. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly was supposed to follow in June, but was then postponed and has now been released on August 11, 2025 in the UK.  It was already easy to lose track of the different versions in part 2, but the crowning finale of the trilogy takes it one step further. We summarized this in detail in the report on the incorrectly reconstructed theatrical version of the 2017 US Blu-ray from Kino Lorber. Apart from various edited versions based on this, most viewers are probably familiar with two main versions. The international theatrical version (~ 162 min) was shortened by Leone himself by about 15 minutes compared to the Italian premiere version. In 2002, MGM created its own extended version, which at 178 min was even longer and again something unique. The differences between these two internationally available versions are covered in this report. In Italy, however, the apparently “Italian theatrical version” was also available on VHS/DVD/Blu-ray. In addition to a different language in the title cards and an alternative take of Tuco in the finale, the most striking difference compared to the international theatrical version AND the MGM extended version is the significantly different edit of Tuco's torture scene, which features exclusive footage. A report comparing the Italian Blu-ray and the MGM extended version covers this. In particular, the Grotto scene (Eli Wallach's ‘Tuco’ plucks a chicken in a cave and talks briefly with three bandits), which is only included in MGM's extended version, has often been criticized because notes left by Leone prove that he had it removed after the premiere and definitely did not want it in the final version. Similar to the alternative edit of Tuco's torture scene, it is essentially a matter of faith among die-hard fans whether they simply want to see more of the maestro or whether they consider the shorter version to be superior. In the case of the torture scene, the situation is complicated further by the fact that the Italian home cinema version is clearly censored despite containing exclusive material, as proven by a 7-minute bonus clip on the MGM Blu-ray, which probably shows the original premiere edit of this scene. Eagle Pictures has already released the Italian home cinema version on 4K Blu-ray in Italy in 2021. As with Part 2, this (as well as an apparently pending re-release) is probably the reason why Arrow Video ultimately had to forego the Italian audio track. Superfan Jordan Krug (known for several blog articles on deleted scenes and exclusive videos/texts on the subject, which are unfortunately offline at the moment – please refer to the Sad Hill Media podcast episode instead) has also confirmed on the Blu-ray.com forum that he was involved in the Arrow Video release and that there were licensing issues. The prospect for the complete package of all conceivable cuts AND audio tracks, which is so typical of Arrow Video, looked correspondingly bleak. In any case, after the initial wording “Extended Cuts,” only the theatrical cut on Disc 1 and the Extended Cut (singular) on Disc 2, which sounds like the “normal” MGM version, were officially announced. But Arrow wouldn't be Arrow if they hadn't found one or, better said, several solutions with clean seamless branching / playlists. The complete specs later revealed options for the “uncut torture scene” and the “‘grotto’ scene originally removed after the premiere,” and this really offers quite some possibilities for die hard fans.
Correct theatrical version and 5 (!) variations of the extended cut on Arrow Video's 4K setIn fact, when you start the film on Disc 2, you find four options, or more sensibly put, 2x2 versions. As summarized above, both the grotto scene and Tuco's torture scene were often discussed harshly, and here you can actually combine both as you wish – with grotto + “normal” or extended torture scene or without grotto + “normal” or extended torture scene. The standard version Play film > Play corresponds to the Extended Version known from MGM, and we will summarize the other variants in more detail at the beginning of the report.  Regarding the extended torture scene, it should be noted that, according to a separate comparison, it corresponds frame-for-frame to the 7-minute segment that was already included in the bonus material of the old MGM Blu-ray. As we recall: In our report on the Italian Blu-ray already linked above, we documented that only the bonus segment was complete (and longer than the Italian Blu-ray/UHD disc). This segment had not yet been compared in full in any report because it was just that: A separate segment. This can now be seen for the first time ever in consistently brilliant 4K quality integrated into the film itself. But the even bigger surprise is an Easter egg that suddenly appears when you click to the right of “Play with Grotto sequence”: “...and more!”, which, with a running time of 181 minutes, offers another, even longer version. In addition to the Grotto and extended torture scenes, two deleted scenes have been added that were not included on MGM DVDs/Blu-rays. Kino Lorber had already shown at least one of these, albeit incomplete, without sound and from a heavily damaged source. This scene, called “Skeleton” by Kino Lorber, is now available from Arrow for the first time in 4K, scanned in its entirety (with fade-in and fade-out effects at the beginning and end) and with a newly remastered soundtrack. Except for a short line of dialogue that is missing (a corresponding subtitle appears), it fits perfectly into the film. “Angel Eyes Arrives,” on the other hand, is an extended scene that has never been released anywhere in the world, as Jordan Krug only discovered it recently on Italian film reels. The alternative vignette and intermission cards from Italy are available separately as additional deleted scenes. Last but not least, it should be noted that the theatrical cut has also been correctly reconstructed. There are minor differences around the black screens compared to Kino Lorber's 2021 4K Blu-ray, but otherwise it is identical and true to the original (unlike Kino Lorber's previous 2017 edition). Unsurprisingly, the image master and quality are the same for all versions and very impressive. The colors have not been turned up quite as brightly as Kino Lorber did previously, and the stark yellow tint of the MGM version is also not objectionable. For collectors, the three spines side by side are also nice to look at. The bonus material is once again lavish, even including a fourth disc with the entertaining documentary Sad Hill Unearthed – which, however, is missing from the standard edition due out in September 2025. No worries though, both UHD discs with all cuts of the movie and the other, bonus-only Blu-ray are also included in this “stripped-down” edition.
Running times are listed according to the following scheme First, here's how to get to the Easter Egg version: Go to “Special Features” on Disc 2, then select the option “Play with uncut torture scene.” This will make sure that the extended torture sequence is included in the film. In the next menu, you can then choose to remove the unpopular Grotto scene. Unlike the main film selection, the order is reversed here: first “without Grotto,” while in the main menu “without Grotto” is the second option. This makes sense, as in Italy the torture scene was already extended, but the Grotto scene was missing there. So by presenting it this way, the intuitve first selection tends to bring it closer to the Italian version.
In any case, you can click to the right again on the second menu item “with Grotto”, which already combines ALL material ever included in a version previously released on home media. Then the additional selection “...and more” appears, and this starts the Easter Egg version with a running time of 181:57 minutes (including the information screen shown below).
The Easter Egg bonus version starts with an additional information panel. 21 sec
Immediately afterwards: The old MGM Blu-ray of the extended version (= Grotto scene + “normal” torture scene) had a newer MGM logo than the one now used again by Arrow. MGM Blu-ray 4.5 sec longer
The credits themselves are identical in English on the old MGM Blu-ray and all film versions on both discs from Arrow Video, as well as on the US 4K Blu-ray from Kino Lorber. As “Deleted Scenes” bonus Arrow individually also offers the Italian version in 4K/HDR.
After the opening credits, the MGM Blu-ray had an insignificant 0.6 sec more black screen. Arrow also shows the English versions of each character in the film itself, but the Italian original can be found in 4K/HDR as bonus material.
08:05 / 08:20-08:32 The second title card of Lee van Cleef aka Angel Eyes or “The Bad,” which was just illustrated, does not occur until 17:27 / 17:54. Before that, there is the first exclusive deleted scene, which is also the “Angel Eyes Arrive” segment in the bonus material. When the man and his son see Angel Eyes at the door from inside, there are now three additional reaction shots. In the last one, the boy looks up at his father. For better context, the identical shots before and after are also shown here. Immediately afterwards, the man also looks down at his son, which emphasizes that this addition rounds off the scene a little more. 11.5 sec
24:43 / 25:10 Another moment coveted by fans: The comic-like cross-fade effect from Tuco laughing to the shot of him on the gallows was missing from the MGM version on DVD and Blu-ray. Here, there was a hard cut between scenes. In all versions from Arrow Video, the cross-fade effect from the theatrical cut has been used, as Kino Lorber had previously reconstructed it on 4K Blu-ray (there, however, only as the theatrical version and not in the extended cut). No time difference
During the insert featuring Blondie aka “The Good” at 29:20 / 29:47, which has already been illustrated above, music can be heard everywhere except in the Italian version. This is also the case in the Easter Egg bonus version from Arrow. However, the excerpt from the Italian version stored separately in the bonus material presents the version without music. Italian Version (Eagle Pictures Blu-ray/4K + Arrow bonus clip) At 38:24-41:40 / 38:51-42:07 comes the Grotto scene. In all versions of the extended version from Arrow Video with the Grotto scene, it is identical to the old Blu-ray from MGM, frame for frame. In the other four versions, the corresponding timecode (because the introductory text panel and the “Angel Eyes Arrives” passage in the eighth minute are missing) is 38:18. For quick reference, here are two images from the famous scene and the moments immediately before and after. These follow each other directly in the Arrow versions without the Grotto scene (and also in the Italian version and the international theatrical version).
61:52-61:54 / 62:19-63:13 When the exhausted Blondie staggers away, both versions feature a soft cross-fade to a different follow-up scene. In all the well-known versions (for the sake of completeness, here is the timecode of the shorter Arrow Extended version without the Grotto scene: 58:30 / timecode of the Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray of the theatrical version: 53:04), this cross-fade also starts just under a second earlier than in the Easter Egg bonus version from Arrow.
This is followed by the scene called “Skeleton” by Kino Lorber and “Bones in the desert” by Arrow. In a shot from below, you can see Blondie staggering further behind Tuco, but he falls down and rolls a few meters to the side. There is an animal skeleton lying there. As Blondie slowly gets back up, he grabs one of the bones. Immediately, however, a shot rings out (at least on Arrow's audio track, because in the bonus material from Kino Lorber this was completely silent!) and the bone flies out of his hand. Reaction shot to Tuco, who says something. Unfortunately, the bit of dialogue is missing, which is why an optional subtitle appears to point this out. Blondie pants again and turns to the side.
To return to the scene, the cross-fade naturally deviates again with a close-up of the parasol.
Easter Egg bonus version 52.5 seconds longer Here are some audio samples to illustrate how well this fits in the Arrow version – despite the missing line of dialogue. Easter Egg bonus version from Arrow Video with inserted scene 73:38 / 74:57 The fade-out comes a little later here on Arrow's version than on the MGM Blu-ray (as well as the Kino Lorber theatrical 4K disc), so you can see more of Tuco's head movement downwards. No time difference
Attentive Blu-ray.com users noticed a peculiarity in the audio at 74:44 / 76:03 . This is a scene that is missing from the international theatrical version. In response to a comment made by the sergeant, his men could be heard laughing in the original Italian audio, and this was also dubbed this way in the English version by MGM. However, Arrow Video's version does not include this reaction from his men on the soundtrack.
Arrow Video (2025) 82:38 / 83:57 Here, only the Arrow version briefly fades to black and then back again when the scene changes. Arrow Video 0.5 sec longer The explanation for this can be found in the international theatrical version, where the fade was the same (see Arrow theatrical version at 69:58 and Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray at 70:00). Arrow has also adopted this for all extended versions. On the other hand, the Intermission from the Italian version, which is stored separately under Deleted Scenes, is another piece of the puzzle: At this point, there was actually a short interruption, for which the fade-out made even more sense.
102:42 / 104:02-104:21 After Tuco is punched in the face, there are three initial shots outside. The song continues to play as more punches are heard off-screen and the commander demands, “More feeling!” Note: In Arrow's shortest cut, #2, this scene occurs at 99:20, which is where the alternative torture sequence begins in the other two versions without the grotto scene. For reference, only one image is shown here. In the rest of this sequence, we will try to limit the screenshots to the truly exclusive moments of the Italian version, even if this is not so easy to distinguish given the many re-ordered scenes. 18.9 sec
102:48 / 104:27-104:28 After what appears to be an identical long shot, the camera movement from the watchtower begins a little earlier. 1.3 sec 103:02 / 104:42-104:45 Blondie looks over a little longer. 2.2 sec
103:10 / 104:53-104:55 Tuco chokes Wallace a moment longer. 1.9 sec
Alternative / Re-ordered scene 103:48-104:29 / 105:33-105:53 After he is thrown to the ground, the shot is slightly longer in the Easter Egg Bonus Version. This is followed by a few shots of the musicians, Blondie and a long shot.
In the typical Extended Version from MGM / Arrow #1 + #2, the first two of the three shots from 102:42 / 104:02-104:21 are shown now, including the “More feeling!” line, although 0.6 seconds are now missing at the beginning of the first shot. This is followed by various close-ups of the prisoners/musicians and a short dialogue with Blondie. Extended version 19.9 sec longer 104:40 / 106:04-106:05 A shot of Angel Eyes is slightly longer. 0.8 sec
Side note: Two seconds later, in the “Extended Tuco Torture Scene” previously included by MGM as a bonus feature on the Blu-ray, there was a small image defect in the form of two single frames of completely white image followed by unsightly splices. The timecode there was 03:04 and although the scene sequence on Arrow corresponds exactly to this old bonus segment, not only is the image quality generally consistent/smooth with the rest in 4K/HDR, but there are no such unsightly defects here either.
104:49 / 106:14-106:15 Tuco bleeds from his mouth for a moment longer. 1.1 sec
105:03 / 106:29-107:04 Tuco can be seen lying on the ground a little longer. After a reaction shot of Angel Eyes, Wallace lifts him up. This is followed by various close-ups of the distraught prisoners outside, most of which have already been seen in the extended version. Finally, Tuco is hit again. 35.2 sec
105:10 / 107:11-107:13 The close-up of a musician is significantly longer. 1.6 sec
105:14 / 107:17-107:20 Tuco sinks to the ground for longer (and the subsequent shot of the same violinist is also a moment earlier). 2.5 sec
Re-ordered scene 105:20-105:23 / 107:26-107:33 While the “regular” extended version reinserts one of the short beating moments from 105:03 / 106:29-107:04, the Easter Egg bonus version first shows the violinist again for much longer and then another frontal shot in which Tuco is punched in the face. Easter Egg Bonus Version 3.7 sec longer
105:46 / 107:56-108:53 Again, the violinist is shown a little longer, followed by the only brief moment of additional dialogue from the guard, which is only available in Italian. This is followed by various other shots of the prisoners and a short dialogue with Blondie, which already appeared in the extended version at 103:48-104:29 / 105:33-105:53. 57.2 sec
Alternative 106:09-106:20 / 109:16-109:27 Probably the most famous additional scene in the Italian version, which can now be seen in all Arrow versions with the uncensored torture scene: Several shots of the eye being gouged out were replaced in the international version and also in the extended version with a shot of Angel Eyes leaning forward. Wallace's reaction is also an alternative take, which is longer in the extended version. Easter Egg bonus version 0.5 sec longer
Note: This exclusive material also had noticeable damage in the middle of the MGM bonus segment (timecode 06:22).
107:07 / 110:14-110:17 Before Blondie enters, Angel Eyes smokes a little longer. 2.6 sec
Finally, Arrow has once again included the English intertitles in the main film, but as a bonus in 4K/HDR, they have also included the Italian version (including Tuco's alternatively recorded “Son of a...” take).
For the Tuco shot, it's also worth taking a look at another Easter egg from Arrow on Disc 1 (international theatrical version). If you click on the back arrow in the Special Features menu, you will see 40 seconds of behind-the-scenes footage of additional takes of this scene (without sound).
The credits for the extended version at the very end are different.
Finally, here is the summary of the version history from the booklet, which is well worth reading and, with first-hand access to the studio archives and old film reels, provides a more in-depth account than we can give here. Of course, the mention of yet another 157-minute cut from Italy, which may never have been widely released, is also exciting.
Last but not least: the French trailer has revealed a few alternative/exclusive moments. One shot in particular stands out, in which Tuco clearly tries to fire a cannon, but it immediately falls apart. Arrow is also offering this trailer as a new 4K scan with HDR on disc 1.
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