¡Three Amigos! (1986)

Three unemployed actors accept an invitation to a Mexican village to replay their bandit fighter roles, unaware that it is the real thing.

Director:

John Landis

Writers:

Steve Martin, Lorne Michaels,

Stars:

Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Martin Short

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Martin	...	Lucky Day
Chevy Chase	...	Dusty Bottoms
Martin Short	...	Ned Nederlander
Alfonso Arau	...	El Guapo
Tony Plana	...	Jefe
Patrice Martinez	...	Carmen
Jorge Cervera Jr.	...	Bandito #1 (as Jorge Cervera)
Kai Wulff	...	German
Abel Franco	...	Papa Sanchez
Fred Asparagus	...	Bartender
Jon Lovitz	...	Morty
Joe Mantegna	...	Harry Flugleman
Philip Gordon	...	Rodrigo
Michael Wren	...	Cowboy
Gene Hartline	...	Silent Movie Bandito

Storyline

Three out of work silent movie actors are accidentally drawn to a Mexican village that is being harassed by a gang of outlaws. The three, 'Ned', 'Lucky Day' and 'Dusty Bottoms' play 'Lone Ranger' types in their movies, but must play their parts for real now.

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Plot Keywords:

actor | village | bandit | mexico | gringo | 

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Taglines:

They're Down On Their Luck And Up To Their Necks In Senoritas, Margaritas, Banditos And Bullets!

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Western

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish German

Release Date:

12 December 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Three Caballeros

Filming Locations:

Coronado National Forest, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$39,246,734 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

L.A. Films, Home Box Office (HBO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Steven Spielberg considered directing the film but chose to do E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial instead. He has said in interviews his choices for the roles of the Three Amigos were Steve Martin for Lucky Day, Bill Murray for Dusty Bottoms and Robin Williams for Ned Nederlander.

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Goofs

The Amigos believe they are performing a show for the people of the village, and Lucky, assuming the banditos are actors also, objects vigorously when he gets wounded in the arm by a real bullet fired by one of the banditos. In the ensuing gunfights toward the end of the story, the Amigos are firing real bullets themselves, but there is no explanation of where their real bullets came from.

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Quotes

Lucky Day: [singing] My little butter cup has the sweetest.
Patron: Eh-smile!

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Connections

Referenced in Northern Exposure: The Three Amigos (1992)

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Soundtracks

"MY LITTLE BUTTERCUP"
Written by Randy Newman
Performed by Chevy Chase, Steve Martin and Martin Short

User Reviews

He does not kill crying women!

Before comedic artists came into Hollywood demanding they attempt a role in a very serious film, there were films like Three Amigos. Riddled with laughs, upon laugh, upon laughs, this wildly enjoyable romp through the open desert could only have been accomplished by three of our favorite comedians.

Those are Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short. To say that anyone in today's cinema can come close to the genius of these three powerhouses would be a lie. While I do believe that Ryan Reynolds is a very close to becoming the next Chase, nobody else can match their style, humor, and elegance. Comedy was not just a job for these three, it was an art.

Three Amigos places us in a small town that is searching for some heroes that will help them get rid of some local hoodlums. Mistaking the opportunity as work, our three protagonists rush into the town prepared for the show of a lifetime. Little do they know, they are soon going to be fighting life and death. Thankfully, seriousness is in low amounts in this film, and comic hijinks ensure. Our three stumble through bars, the desert, and the final hide-a-way before their creative finale.

I remember watching this film with my family when I was really young. I remember laughing at everything these three bumbling idiots did, and how impressed I was by the grace they did it with. As I grew older, this film remained with me. These three actors represent some of the funniest moments in cinematic history, and here they are gathered together to make a film. I loved this movie. I loved the absurdity, the randomness, and the sheer fun of these types of films. I miss this type of physical, pseudo-intellectual humor. I miss laughing as much as I did when I first watched this film, and when I watch it over and over again. The simplistic nature of this film allows it to be enjoyed at any time during your life. Martin, Short, and Chase are at the top of their game and never let go. It is sad to see these actors getting less and less work today.

Overall, this film impressed me. It is funny, enjoyable, and so silly that you don't need to wade through the bathroom humor to get to the good stuff. It is all right there. I suggest this film to anyone that is looking to laugh and be entertained!

Grade: ***** out of *****