I didn't liked this movie, it was slow paced, not much action, movie could be shorter. I prefer much more clint eastwood western movies.
Still the best Western ever made. Superb cinematography. Superb score. Superb actors. A story that is simple in its core and yet told in a complex way with a lot of twists, sub-plots and multi-layered anti-heroes. When you watch this movie for the first time, you won't know the main protagonist's motivation till the end. This movie doesn't shy away from the most brutal aspects of life. Not even sure the outcome is a positive one.
There's only little to be criticized. Like the sometimes too cartoon-ish character of some characters. And like the great depiction of violence without the notable exception of blood or visible wounds (That's excused though - it's a 60's movie with strict regulations). It's not really needed though and I certainly don't want this to be a splatter movie but it would add to the immersion.
The original italian title of the film is C'era una volta il West.
In the wake of The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, at the height of his notoriety as master of the spaghetti western, Sergio Leone moved to America and intended to explore different genres. Problem was, all the major studios wanted him to continue making dusty pistol-wranglers. He obliged with this; a somber, atmospheric piece that touches all the familiar hallmarks but lacks the heart, passion and tenacity of his preceding "Dollars Trilogy."
Once Upon a Time in the West depicts a cutthroat competition between a posh businessman, a nasty outlaw, two vigilantes and a widow over the development rights to a crucial piece of land in the middle of nowhere. That won't be the case for long, however, as progress demands a continental railroad and the only source of water in a fifty-mile radius lies on this property. Everyone wants a slice of the inevitable riches, if not the whole pie. Matched with a characteristically stirring, yowling musical score from Ennio Morricone, outfitted with big-budget equipment and name actors, the film is positively drenched with character. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the opening scene, where Leone wordlessly dwells on three would-be assassins as they patiently await their mark. We don't need dialog to appreciate how grimy and low-down the trio is, loose with their morals as well as their manners, and the dense ten minutes of their mini-arc wraps us up like a smallpox blanket.
In such a bite-sized dose, the restraint is delicious. Leone applies it to the entire sprawling, 160-minute film. It's all syrupy texture with very little concrete storytelling, a drastic example of mood over substance. I love the idea of Henry Fonda playing against-type as a scummy, conniving scoundrel. Charles Bronson, in a role clearly written for Clint Eastwood, deals almost exclusively in piercing squints and creepy harmonica riffs. Claudia Cardinale is breathtakingly beautiful as a recently-widowed spitfire with oodles of defiant willpower. The cast seems well-primed for a wonderful story, but instead they loiter about, rubbing elbows and making threats, while the plot rambles and sprays mundane, cryptic implications. It takes forever and it barely goes anywhere. Clearly, this is the work of a talented director who'd lost interest in making just one type of movie. I think Leone mailed it in.
One of the great films in cinema history.
One of the finest westerns ever made.
Masterful and enthralling storytelling, while barely uttering a word. They just dont make them like this anymore. Really just a mesmerizing film and score
The absolute best Western to date.
Good film. The music is the highpoint for me. I like the story but it drags on a bit, especially in the beginning. Also… they took it a bit too far with all the close ups, even though it contributes to the charm of it all.
Boy, they don't make it like this anymore. Not for inpatient kiddos.
Hands down Leone's most mature western, even if a little low-key when compared to the Dollars Trilogy. His style is recognizable but strangely sober here, with the calm before the storm eating up most of the time. Action, music, and humor, which were the main three elements of Leone's past works, are this time kept to the minimum necessary to emphasize the slow-burning wait for the gun to fire, for the hero to finally appear. While "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" was held back by its episodic nature, this time we have a coherent complex plot that connects all characters and slowly reveals their nature, at a time where the Old West was about to be wiped out by the birth of a new nation. The film has a melancholic mood and is packed with overt references to western classics taken out of context, as if Leone's aim was to bid farewell to the genre that had made him a household name. Sometimes it drags on a little too much, but the payoff is guaranteed.
While not the greatest story ever written, this is a prime example of what good storytelling competent writers are capable of, as opposed to gimmick directors being prodded by executives to hand hold the biggest rube in the test audience. It's about as perfect an opposite example to to the clumsy exposition-dump heavy, unrealistic, and goofy dialog filling current American movies. And most of the time, that dialog, the special effects, and the frenetic editing are a cover for a story and character actions that don't make any sense.
Instead, we have a film that takes its time letting you soak in the atmosphere, the personality of the characters, and the world to which they belong, and only feeds you enough of the story at a time as is necessary. There's simply no need to front load it. If you have to do that, then your writing isn't any good. We understand these characters because they're people. They're from a different place and time, and they're a little kitschy at times, but we can relate to them, and their story holds together. There's actually plenty of dialog, it's just that the story takes its time, and the shots are long and pore over the texture of the setting, the characters' weathered skin, and their body language and the minutiae of the physical actions and gestures that make these characters who they are. Silence punctuates the dialog and the violence, and makes it more impactful.
That said, the audio in these old films is terrible, and now my ears hurt because of the harsh, high pitched train whistles and gunshots. Turn on loudness equalization and turn down your higher frequencies on your EQ.
I've watched silent movies with more dialogue than this. It's still a good western though.
Great western with minimal dialogue. This movie is a work of art.....
Seriously great film with Henry Fonda and Charles Bronson and a harmonica. I understand that it was Sergio's dream to direct a film which starred Henry Fonda. Makes sense to me. Many critics rate this as the #1 Spaghetti Western of all time, or even the best Western of all time. It would definitely be in my top five.
Check out my list: https://trakt.tv/users/jeffsmith99/lists/spaghetti-westerns-i-want-to-watch
Look for it on Amazon Prime Video
Also available on popcornflix.com
Great movie, Bronson was the original man with no name, a role later taken by Clint Eastwood in the later Leone flicks.
Leone's film unfolds across the screen in time and space with all the mellowness and majesty of such great Westerns as "Shane," "The Searchers," and "The Magnificent Seven."
as best as spaghetti western trilogy
My favorite westren of all time
Paco Cinema 1: Picture 4.25 / 5 Sound 3.5 / 5. I remembered that I liked, but now I like very much, The way that Leone uses the music, the sound, light, shadows, that opening scene, the harmonica theme , the best of Leone
Shout by IHateBadMovies.comVIP 8BlockedParent2019-02-12T18:52:08Z
When was the last time you watched a movie where after the first hour of the movie you didn't know any of the main character's names or what the movie was about yet you were completely engrossed? Ah, the genius of Sergio Leone. Once again, Leone paints a detailed picture with scant few words and captivates the audience while doing it. This film is also widely regarded as the greatest "face" movie of all time. While Henry Fonda was at the top of the billing, it is actually Charles Bronson (I kid you not) that is the star of this film.
One thing I love about Leone is that he's never trying to make a point. There isn't a moral to the story and there aren't any feel-good moments. He brings together a group of characters and spares you the details of who they are and where they come from. There are no good vs. evil confronations. In fact, the most sympathetic person in this movie was a reformed prostitute and the lead in the movie (Bronson) is never actually identified by name.
follow me at https://IHateBadMovies.com or facebook IHateBadMovies