Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2862: Eli Wallach, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)




Eli Wallach passed on yesterday. He was 98. Mr. Wallach was a great actor who continued his craft to the years of his long life. He is best known for his roles in "The Magnificent Seven", "The Misfits", "The Godfather Part III", "The Two Jakes" and "The Holiday". He was also known for his role as "Tuco" (aka "The Rat") in "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" - which also provides some excellent nonverbal teaching points.


In this moment, just before the denouement, Tuco's (Wallach's) eyelids open widely. This nonverbal element is a primary component of and an accurate portrayal of the emotion of fear - which of course is expected within the context of this scene. And even though it takes place outside in the sunlight, in such an intense "life and death" moment his pupils would be significantly dilated. No one can voluntarily control their pupil size however. It would have been significantly more realistic if Sergio Leone (the director) would have dilated Wallach's eyes (and the others) medically (using eye drops) in this key scene of the film.


Here, another actor Lee Van Cleef, who plays "Angel Eyes" in the movie, displays eyelids which are partially closed (aka "eyes narrow"). In this cluster context - his eyelid configuration is consistent with mild to moderate levels of anger (not severe anger aka rage). As mentioned with Eli Wallach's eyes - his pupils are also contracted. This nonverbal cluster is not realistic for the body language seen in the scenario of a dramatic "flight, fight or freeze" struggle which is being acted out here.



Clint Eastwood - known as "The Man with No Name" or "Blondie" in the film - also has very narrowed eyes and small pupils - again inconsistent with fear and any realism.





The positioning of the Tuco and Angel Eyes within the clearing of the cemetery (and the fact that Eastwood's character knew that only one of the other men had bullets in his gun) engendered a "darting back and forth" of  both Tuco's and Angel Eyes eye's - which projects low trust, low emotional comfort and a beta mindset. Clint's were locked in on his enemy and didn't move - projecting a high alpha confidence

Rest in peace, Eli. Thank you.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2782: Hillary Clinton dodges a shoe - Body Language ... and Not

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2338:  Why Does Keit Pentus-Rosimannus feel Fear?  Body Language of Estonia's Minister of Environment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2791: Sofia Vergara, Threesomes and Fear - Body Language & the Fading Gigolo

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2274:  The Eyes & Mouth of Fear -  Body Language of Ahmed Dogan during  Attempted Assassination

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2762: Pepsi Max's "Unbelievable" Bus Shelter Video - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2833: Edward Snowden & Neck of Fear - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2861: Ronald Reagan and Variations on Thumbs-Up Body Language
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