Independent Films, Film Profiles

¡Three Amigos!
by John_Landis

¡Three Amigos! is a 1986 comedy western film, produced by George Folsey, Jr. and Lorne Michaels. John Landis directed. Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short star. The movie was written by Steve Martin, Lorne Michaels, and Randy Newman. Randy Newman contributed three original songs: "The Ballad of the Three Amigos", "My Little Buttercup" and "Blue Shadows", while the musical score was composed by Elmer Bernstein. It was shot in Simi Valley, California, Coronado National Forest, Old Tucson Studios, and Hollywood. It was originally entitled The Three Caballeros and Steve Martin was to be teamed with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. This film is 79 on Bravo's "100 Funniest Movies."In the year 1916, three prissy silent film actors are fired after they demand a higher salary for their popular "Three Amigos" western films. Later that day they receive a plea from the villagers of Santo Poco, who have been under siege from the infamous villain El Guapo. Mistaking the plea for a personal appearance, the actors steal their costumes and travel to Santo Poco. The villagers give the actors a hero's welcome, believing them to be bona fide gunfighters. After a nearly fatal confrontation with El Guapo, the actors realize the danger to which they are now subject. They panic and plan a hasty retreat, leaving the villagers at the mercy of El Guapo. They soon return to the village and, upon seeing the devastation caused by the bandits, decide to step up and become the Three Amigos for real.The Amigos make several disastrous attempts to thwart the bandits, including infiltration of El Guapo's birthday party and seeking of mystical aid via a singing bush (voiced by co-writer Randy Newman) and an invisible swordsman. They then ride an airplane, piloted by Ned, back to the village. Lucky Day (Steve Martin) delivers a speech about conquering an individual's personal "El Guapo", whether that be a lack of self-confidence or an actual killer by that name. They then discover that the villagers' greatest skill is sewing. The Amigos organize the villagers, using their sewing skills to create an army of "Amigos" by replicating their charro costumes. The villagers defeat the bandits by appearing clad in the costumes and shooting from all sides, creating the illusion that the Amigos are everywhere. Thereafter, the Amigos ride off into the sunset, intending to become the heroes they'd once only portrayed on film.