Three Amigos! Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three clueless actors get mistaken for real heroes, leading to hilarious misunderstandings and the accidental saving of a Mexican village from cartoonishly evil bandits.

🍿 Three Amigos!: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Silent Movie Stars

In 1916 Los Angeles, Lucky Day, Dusty Bottoms, and Ned Nederlander are silent film stars known as ‘The Three Amigos!’ They are famous for their roles as brave gunslingers. However, when they demand a salary increase, studio executive Harry Flugleman fires them, leaving them broke and unemployed.

Telegram to Mexico

Meanwhile, in the Mexican village of Santo Poco, Carmen sends a telegram to the Amigos, believing they are real heroes who can save her village from the ruthless bandit El Guapo. Due to limited funds, the telegram is short and misinterpreted by the Amigos as an invitation to perform in a show.

Journey to Santo Poco

The Amigos break into the studio to retrieve their costumes and head to Mexico, expecting to put on a performance. They arrive at a cantina near Santo Poco, where they are mistaken for associates of a German gunfighter also seeking El Guapo. Carmen finds them and takes them to the village, where they are treated like heroes.

Misunderstanding and Real Danger

The Amigos initially believe they are performing for the villagers and attempt their usual stunts. When three of El Guapo’s men arrive, the Amigos’ antics confuse them. The bandits retreat, leading the villagers to believe the Amigos scared them off. However, El Guapo soon arrives with his entire gang, and the Amigos realize the danger is real when Lucky is shot.

Desperate Measures

After being exposed as frauds, the Amigos leave Santo Poco in disgrace. Ashamed and with nowhere else to go, they decide to become real heroes. They track a cargo plane flown by a German pilot, who is delivering rifles to El Guapo for his 40th birthday celebration, where he plans to marry Carmen.

Infiltration and Rescue

The Amigos attempt to infiltrate El Guapo’s hideout, but they are quickly captured. Ned is challenged to a shootout by the German pilot. Ned wins. The Amigos rescue Carmen and escape in the German’s plane, returning to Santo Poco to rally the villagers against El Guapo.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lucky Day (Steve Martin): The de facto leader of the Three Amigos, Lucky is a charismatic but cowardly actor who learns to be a real hero.
• Dusty Bottoms (Chevy Chase): A somewhat clueless member of the Three Amigos, Dusty provides physical comedy and reluctant support to the group’s antics.
• Ned Nederlander (Martin Short): The quick-drawing and sharp-shooting member of the Three Amigos, Ned is a skilled performer who yearns to prove his worth.
• El Guapo (Alfonso Arau): The ruthless and somewhat buffoonish bandit leader who terrorizes Santo Poco and inadvertently hires the Amigos.
• Carmen (Patrice Martinez): A hopeful village woman, Carmen believes the Three Amigos are real heroes and summons them to save her town.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• El Guapo: “In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face. For some, shyness might be their El Guapo. For others, a lack of education might be their El Guapo. For us, El Guapo is El Guapo.” – El Guapo explains to his henchmen about what the Amigos will be up against.
• El Guapo: “Jefe, what is a plethora?” – El Guapo demands to know if he has enough pinatas for his birthday party, displaying his ignorance.
• Lucky Day: “Wherever there is injustice, you will find us. Wherever there is suffering, we’ll be there. Wherever liberty is threatened, you will find… The Three Amigos!” – The Three Amigos’ catchphrase from their movies, which they recite when accepting the ‘job’ in Santo Poco.
• Ned Nederlander: “Why am I in Mexico?” – Ned asks this question in a tearful panic after realizing they’ve been hired to fight real bandits.
• Lucky Day: “I’ve been shot already!” – Lucky Day is expressing pain at being shot while trying to escape from El Guapo’s camp.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $39,246,734
• Worldwide Gross: $39,246,734

💥 Three Amigos! Reviews

Personal Review

I grew up watching ¡Three Amigos!, and it always makes me laugh. The ‘My Little Buttercup’ scene is comedy gold, and the whole premise of actors mistaken for heroes is brilliantly executed. It’s not high art, but it’s pure, silly fun and a great movie to watch when you need a good laugh. I can quote almost every line.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short”
  • “Viewers who enjoy slapstick and parody comedies”
  • “Those seeking a lighthearted and silly movie experience”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Slapstick violence”
  • “Suggestive humor”
  • “Mild language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “¡Three Amigos! delivers broad, slapstick humor that relies heavily on the comedic talents of Martin, Chase, and Short. While the plot is thin, the trio’s chemistry and physical comedy provide consistent laughs. It’s a lighthearted romp that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
• The New York Times: “John Landis’s direction lacks subtlety, but the film’s energy and the performers’ commitment to their roles keep it afloat. The humor is often silly, but there are moments of genuine wit and charm, particularly in the musical numbers. A flawed but entertaining comedy.

Audience Reactions

The ‘My Little Buttercup’ scene is an unforgettable moment of pure comedic genius.: Viewers consistently praise the chemistry between Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short and the film’s overall lighthearted tone.

El Guapo’s character is hilarious and the ‘plethora of piñatas’ line is classic.: The supporting cast, especially Alfonso Arau as El Guapo, receives high marks for their comedic performances.

Overall Consensus: ¡Three Amigos! is a beloved comedy that, while not universally acclaimed, is cherished for its silliness, memorable characters, and the combined comedic power of its three leads. It’s a light and fun movie with a great cast and soundtrack.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Steve Martin learned lasso tricks while working at Disneyland as a teenager.”
• “The film’s score was composed by Elmer Bernstein, who also composed the score for ‘The Magnificent Seven’, which ‘Three Amigos!’ is loosely based on.”
• “Randy Newman wrote the songs for the film, including the memorable ‘My Little Buttercup’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Three Amigos!?

¡Three Amigos! is currently available for streaming purchase or rental on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable on-demand services. Buying the film gives you continued access, while rentals provide a limited viewing window.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Three Amigos!, you might like these similar films:

• Galaxy Quest (1999): Actors known for playing heroes are mistaken for the real thing and must rise to the occasion.
• The Magnificent Seven (1960): Direct inspiration – a group of gunslingers hired to protect a Mexican village from bandits, but played for laughs.
• Blazing Saddles (1974): Mel Brooks’ Western parody blends slapstick with satire, similar to the Amigos’ approach.
• A Bug’s Life (1998): Animated retelling of the ‘Seven Samurai’ story, where circus performers are mistaken for warriors.

🛒 Three Amigos! Related Products

• ¡Three Amigos! (Blu-ray): Own the classic comedy on Blu-ray. Featuring a digitally remastered version of the film.
• ¡Three Amigos! Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster, perfect for decorating your home theater.
• ¡Three Amigos! T-Shirt: A comfortable and stylish t-shirt featuring the Three Amigos logo.
• The Essential Elmer Bernstein Film Music Collection: A comprehensive collection of Elmer Bernstein’s iconic film scores, including his memorable work on ¡Three Amigos!. A digital download

🎧 Soundtrack

Three Amigos! features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Ballad of the Three Amigos” – performed by Randy Newman
• “My Little Buttercup” – performed by Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Martin Short
• “Blue Shadows” – performed by Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Martin Short

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Pablo Francisco Movie Guy

Curious to see what a comedian has to say about the beloved classic Three Amigos? Check out this hilarious stand-up bit by Pablo Francisco for a fresh take on the film!

Matt Damon watched Three Amigos with his Dad

Ever wondered what it’s like for a Hollywood star to watch a classic comedy? Join Matt Damon as he shares a heartwarming story about bonding with his father over Three Amigos.

Martin Short and Steve Martin Describe First Meeting on ¡Three Amigos! Set

Get ready for a nostalgic trip down memory lane! Martin Short and Steve Martin take us back to the set of Three Amigos, sharing their hilarious first impressions and the inicios of their enduring friendship.

Steve Martin & Martin Short Met While Filming “Three Amigos” | Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

Prepare for a comedy goldmine! Steve Martin and Martin Short reunite to chat about their iconic roles in Three Amigos on Conan O’Brien’s podcast. Get ready for laughs, anecdotes, and a glimpse into their incredible friendship.

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