One of the regular features here at the Far West will be a look at some of the ingredients that have gone into our western/wuxia/steampunk melange. We’ll recommend books, films, comics and more — all part of what we call the “Inspirography” of Far West. For our first recommendation, we’re taking a look at a film that came out after development of Far West had already begun, but which dovetailed perfectly with the project.

The Good, The Bad, The Weird (Joheun Nom Nabbeun Nom Isanghan Nom) is a South Korean film from 2008, inspired by the Spaghetti Westerns of Sergio Leone. Set in the 1930s in Manchuria, the plot centers around different factions (a bounty hunter, an outlaw, a thief, roving bandits, shifty criminals, and the Japanese army) all in pursuit of a treasure map.

The trailer will give you the best illustration of why this film is perfect inspiration for Far West:

The feel of a spaghetti western, the later-period technology (the motorbike with sidecar, for example), the vaguely steampunk accoutrements of “the Weird” (his leather aviator helmet and goggles), the frontier setting, and the unrelenting waves of Just Plain Cool… It’s almost a perfect Far West film experience — the only thing missing is wuxia-style kung fu (although there is some high-flying gun combat, as you can see in the trailer).

Well worth your time. The film is available on DVD worldwide, and for those in the US, it is currently available streaming via Netflix.