Three Amigos

¡Three Amigos! is a 1986 comedy western movie, produced by George Folsey, Jr., and Lorne Michaels, and executive-produced by Steve Martin. John Landis directed for HBO Studios. Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Martin Short took the title roles. Jon Lovitz and Phil Hartman have cameos. The movie was written by Steve Martin and Lorne Michaels. Randy Newman wrote music for it.

Related Topics:
1986 - Comedy - Western - Movie - Lorne Michaels - Steve Martin - John Landis - HBO Studios - Chevy Chase - Martin Short - Jon Lovitz - Phil Hartman - Randy Newman

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"The Three Amigos" are bumbling, out-of-work silent film cowboy stars. They are invited to a small Mexican town (they presume) to perform their act. However, the townspeople have actually invited the trio to defend them from a terrifying band of outlaws. The townspeople, having seen too many of the Tom Mix-style westerns starring the Three Amigos (and apparently have also been influenced by Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai), expect the trio to save them from the ravages of the local villains. After some misunderstandings, the Three Amigos eventually find themselves trading in their jobs acting as bandit hunters for jobs being bandit hunters. The comedy is highly visual and physical, but characters are also very quotable.

Related Topics:
Silent film - Cowboy - Tom Mix - Akira Kurosawa - Seven Samurai

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For instance, after the first "shootout", Lucky Day (Steve Martin) demands to see one of the bandidos' revolvers:

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:Lucky Day: Wait a second, lemme see that, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon. Oh, great! Real bullets. You're in a lotta trouble, Mister!

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Also memorable are the villainous characters of El Guapo, played by Mexican actor Alfonso Arau (perhaps familiar as one of the main villains in 1969's The Wild Bunch) and El Jefe, played by Tony Plana. El Guapo and Jefe have become a popular meme outside of the film.

Related Topics:
Mexican - Alfonso Arau - 1969 - The Wild Bunch - Tony Plana - Meme

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:El Guapo: Jefe, you do not understand women. You cannot force open the petals of a flower. When the flower is ready, it opens itself up to you.

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:Jefe: So when do you think Carmen will "open up her flower" to you?

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:El Guapo: Tonight, or I will kill her!

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Ratings: Australia:PG, Finland:K-14, Sweden:15, UK:PG, USA:PG, West Germany:12

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