Hideo Kojima gets emotional revisiting ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ — and the documentary that brought Sad Hill Cemetery back to life
The Japanese creator, an avid cinephile, once again demonstrates his excellent taste.
That Hideo Kojima — creator of Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding — loves The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is no surprise. It’s one of the greatest Westerns ever made. What his millions of followers didn’t expect was that, during a recent rewatch, he also dove into the documentary Desenterrando Sad Hill (Sad Hill Unearthed)… and ended up in tears.
“It moved me to tears. A timeless presence that continues shaping people’s lives. That’s exactly what art and cinema are,” Kojima wrote, overwhelmed by the story behind the film.
The documentary is essential viewing for fans of Sergio Leone. It follows a group of volunteers who traveled to Burgos, Spain, determined to locate, dig up, and restore the iconic circular cemetery where the movie’s legendary final showdown was filmed. By the time they arrived, the site had been abandoned for nearly 50 years and swallowed by vegetation.
Where to watch ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ and ‘Sad Hill Unearthed’ in the U.S.
Here’s where both films are currently available for American viewers:
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Amazon Prime, MGM Plus, Apple TV, Plex, Google Play, The Roku Channel, Fawesome, Tubi TV.
- Sad Hill Unearthed: Netflix
Kojima’s favorite films, series, and anime
Because of his influence in the gaming world, fans rarely hesitate to explore anything he recommends. Here’s a curated selection of titles often highlighted by Kojima:
- Blade Runner — a cornerstone of his sci‑fi inspirations
- 2001: A Space Odyssey — a film he frequently praises for its vision
- Neon Genesis Evangelion — one of the anime series he has referenced repeatedly
- Mad Max: Fury Road — a modern action masterpiece he’s openly admired
- Twin Peaks — a show whose surreal tone aligns with his creative sensibilities
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