Did anyone besides me make the connection between the place where they had the final gunfight and a gladiator ring? I've never heard any commentary regarding what Leone had in mind with the scene being set up that way but it can't be a coincidence that they were in a ring much like the one the gladiators used to fight in. An interesting twist is the fact that all the graves are looking in to the center of the ring ... like the dead are the spectators. It does have a very poetic, if ghastly ring to it. Does anyone agree, or am I just imagining things here?Also, why did Blondie let Tuco live? I think it was a test.Blondie knew that the game was rigged. Blondie already KNEW who he was going to shoot because he knew Tuco's gun was not loaded. He was going to kill Angel Eyes, but why didn't he kill Tuco as well? If you watch closely you will see that Tuco is fanning his empty revolver at Angel Eyes when they all start shooting. My theory is that Blondie decided to not kill Tuco if Tuco kept the bargain. Tuco did not try to kill Blondie so Blondie kept his part of the bargain as well. Not only did he let him live but he gave Tuco his share of the money.