Blondie (Clint Eastwood), the good, and Tuco (Eli Wallach), the bad, have always had their differences, but attitudes seem to change when they learn of a buried confederate treasure after stumbling upon a dying soldier in the desert. The solider tells each one a different clue that leads them to the hidden loot forcing them to become and unlikely pair in the search for the buried treasure.

Angel Eyes (Lee Van Cleef), the ugly, learns of their discovery and embarks on a journey of his own, using the men's hatred for one another to his advantage.