Lee Van Cleef: The Best of the Villains Recruited at Cinecittà
A new book by film critic Massimo Moscati, “Lee Van Cleef. The Best of the Villains,” explores how the American actor found redemption and immortality in the spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone, transforming from supporting player to cult icon at Cinecittà.
Exploring the Human Side of a Spaghetti Western Legend
An icon of the spaghetti western, Lee Van Cleef remains one of cinema’s most unforgettable “bad guys.” The new book “Lee Van Cleef. The Best of the Villains” by author and journalist Massimo Moscati, published by the Piacenza-based press Le Piccole Pagine, delves deep into both the myth and the man behind those steely eyes.
Moscati — a member of the National Union of Italian Film Critics, editorial director, and lecturer at Milan’s Civic School of Cinema Luchino Visconti — paints a portrait of Van Cleef that goes beyond the screen persona of the menacing gunslinger. The book celebrates the unforgettable Colonel Mortimer from Sergio Leone’s For a Few Dollars More — one of Van Cleef’s greatest cinematic triumphs.
“We owe Italy the credit for giving him roles suited to his talent, transforming him into a cult figure,” Moscati writes in the preface.
Resisting Hollywood’s pigeonholing, Van Cleef tirelessly pursued his craft, and when his career seemed at a standstill, he reinvented himself. Through his collaborations in Italy, he carved out a place in film history as the quintessential western antihero.
From Soldier to Cult Star
Before becoming a cinematic icon, Van Cleef served as a naval operator during World War II and later began acting on stage. His film debut came in 1951 when director Fred Zinnemann cast him in High Noon, alongside Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly — a small role that would nonetheless lead to a remarkable journey.
Even though he had no lines in that film, his piercing gaze and silent intensity became his signature. “He gave Hollywood’s idea of evil a European depth,” Moscati observes — a depth that left a lasting impression on audiences.
Reinvention in Italy
In the decade that followed, Van Cleef struggled in America, often relegated to secondary roles and battling frustration that led to dependence on alcohol. Redemption came in 1965, when Sergio Leone cast him as Colonel Mortimer in For a Few Dollars More, followed by The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in 1966.
With these roles, Van Cleef entered the pantheon of spaghetti western legends — a Hollywood actor reborn in Cinecittà. Moscati’s book examines not only his cinematic career but also the man behind the legend: a disciplined craftsman, a survivor, and an artist who found his true self in Italy’s western frontier.
“Under Leone’s direction,” Moscati concludes, “Van Cleef rediscovered himself, creating a gallery of unforgettable characters.”
Book Details
Lee Van Cleef. Il migliore dei cattivi
By Massimo Moscati
Published by Le Piccole Pagine
Where to Buy the Book
- Buy on Amazon Italy 🇮🇹 – about €15.00
- Buy on Amazon Spain 🇪🇸 – same edition
- Buy on La Feltrinelli – official Italian retailer
- Buy on IBS.it – ships within 5 business days
- Buy on Libreria Universitaria – may require order time
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