After the success of the Dollars trilogy Sergio Leone directed the first Italian Western filmed in America, and it’s arguably Leone’s second best film ahead of “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” Best of all, he finally got a chance to work with the actor Leone couldn’t afford early in his career…Henry Fonda. “Once upon a Time in the West” holds a special place in my heart because this was the first Leone film that I’ve watched. From that moment on, this moviegoer has fallen under the spell of his cinema. Unscrupulous railroad baron Morton (Gabriele Ferzetti) employs ethics-free gunfighter Frank (Fonda, at his coldest) to shoot any living being attempting to thwart the completion of the railroad. Once Frank terminates land owner Brett McBain (Frank Wolff), his widow (Claudia Cardinale) employs two drifters to defend her and gain vengeance: shadowy bandit Harmonica (Charles Bronson) and his rascal sidekick Cheyenne (Jason Robards). Extravagant and operatic in its unlimited scope Leone pays tribute to the Hollywood Westerns that insipid his vision, but at the same time he discards all the standard clichés to breathe life into a dying genre. Fonda’s dark and sinister performance meets his match when the subtle, mysterious Bronson looks forward to avenging the death of his brother. Claudia Cardinale is staggeringly beautiful and talented playing the prostitute-with-a-heart-of-gold who becomes the land baroness supplying fresh water for railroad workers. This is why our generation needs curvy actresses like Cardinale and Sophia Loren in films today instead of lanky, 12-year old actresses like Kristen Stewart polluting our screens. But I’m getting off way off topic. Contrast to his fast-paced Westerns with Eastwood, the muted tone and dense pacing of “Once upon a Time in the West” is seen as a maturation in Leone’s filmmaking. As you can tell from viewing the film, the elegant, stunning cinematography of Tonino Delli Colli blends perfectly with the five distinct character-driven scores from Ennio Morricone. The opening set piece where three mercenaries await for a train is shot and edited with incredible suspense. And so is the final duel between Fonda and Bronson. This film is not only a tense and somber meditation on the death of the Old West, but it is a celebration of a mythological period that we’ve come to admire.Read full review
Italian westerns tend to have a somewhat cheesy and poor reputation. Even the Clint Eastwood classics where he protrays the man with no name are not much when it comes to technical matters although the stories have some twists but, still, they are best known as the launch vehicles for Eastwoods fine career in film. This film is DIFFERENT! It is one of the most outstanding westerns ever made in spite of the fact that it's an Italian production. Henry Fonda is NOT a nice guy in this film and the plot is excellent, well developed, and keeps the viewers interest throughout. It is not only a cut above most westerns but also more interesting because of the twists and turns of the story. It is a western classic and I put it in the class of "The Professionals", The Wild Bunch", and other fine westerns. Highly recommended.Read full review
Best cast brought together to do the best western ever made. Charles Bronson at his finest! What great parts played by everyone like the out of character part Henry Fonda played. Good story line! Makes the Clint Eastwood Westerns I love look weak next to it and wins out over "The Good, The Bad ,And The Ugly!"
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Once upon a time is not just an amazing western but awesome movie all around. What really sets it apart is how beautiful the music is! I have the chorus as my ringtone haha! I have had the movie for 4 years myself. However, I have purchased it as a gift for my nephew, father and my public library.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Western about the building of the railroads in the Old West and the greedy men who had a hand in it. Only movie where Henry Fonda played a bad guy and was he evil! Enjoyed Jason Robards character the best and Charles Bronson was very good also.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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