Once Upon a Time in the West

Italy 1968, 159 minutes
Dir. Sergio Leone
Rating: [R16]
Genres: Classics / Western

Feat. Henry Fonda, Claudia Cardinale, Jason Robards Jr., Charles Bronson

Aroview: A 13-minute credit sequence opens this riveting frontier saga, arguably the finest film of the genre. Charles Bronson steps in to Clint Eastwood's "man with no name" archetype, while Henry Fonda famously goes against type as one of the coldest screen villains of all time. It's also one of Jason Robards' best ever performances, and Claudia Cardinale is picture perfect and heart-breaking. The script, written by Leone with then-young turks Bernardo Bertolucci and Dario Argento, contains some pearlers, but it's Ennio Morricone's most fully realised score that seals Leone's vision as a masterpiece.

NZ International Film Festival 2010
Adopt-a-Movie Kindly adopted by Stuart Gardyne

Member Reviews

Average rating (Exceptional). Showing 1-6 of 6 member reviews.

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5 stars (Exceptional) This is so amazing to watch for a first time. The characters are incredible, and the setting and soundtrack match them admirably. ~dr.strangelove
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5 stars (Exceptional) A classic without compare. With a perturbing strain of misogyny acting as the sole mark against its name, Leone's impeccably-constructed spaghetti western is as entertaining and as questioning of Western mythos as its title suggests. ~Anon
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4 stars (Very Good) A grand, dazzling and sweeping epic. ~Wizzums
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5 stars (Exceptional) ~Regando
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5 stars (Exceptional) This is the western movie that you will recognise many shots and characters from. Much copied for it's spot on styles, shots and story. A masterpiece. ~bikewrench
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3 stars (Good Enough) The opening scene (before Bronson interrupts things and decimates some great casting) is a classic with Jack Elam's battle with the fly memorable. Once again Monument Valley is used to great effect and Morricone provides another classic score. ~Tubbs