Before watching this film, I was concerned whether or not this film would please, despite the undying praise given to this film. This is not just because Leone made a masterpiece 2 years before but also due to the fact that he was set to retire from Spaghetti Westerns before reluctantly making this film. Now that I've seen it, Sergio Leone simply made the right choice in continuing with Spaghetti Western film making! The story revolves around a young woman named Jill McBain who was driven to a town where she finds her family slaughtered by a man named Frank. During this time, a mysterious man playing a harmonica is found as well as another man named Cheyeene who must join forces to save the girl's life from Frank's assassination attempts as a ploy to get the woman's land.
Much like 'The Good, the bad and the Ugly', this is an extremely moving and epic tale told in the grandest of fashions to the very best of one's ability. The characters in this film are truly memorable as is the brilliant musical score composed by Ennio Morricone who simply outdoes himself with these films. The performances throughout the film are brilliant and the fantastic cinematography, writing and directing are flawless! Whilst The Good the bad and the Ugly had three of the most memorable characters (Blondie, Angel Eyes and Tucco), so does this film in having Frank, Cheyeene and nicknamed "Harmonica" who closely resemble the characters from Leone's previous masterpiece. These characters are extremely intense, entertaining even hilarious at times and most definitely great examples of fantastic characters in films. Frank, played by Henry Fonda, plays the antagonist in the film who must try o either kill Jill and take the land for his boss or to convince her to give it up. He has an absolutely fantastic scene in the film where we are introduced to him just as he viciously kills a young boy. This scene alone simply strikes a threatening image in our mind as to who this guy is and what he is like. Cheyeene is the extremely likable guy who throughout the film can be both dangerous and helpful certainly for Jill. His character is an iconic Western image right up there with Eastwood's character from the Dollars trilogy. Harmonica is the best character in the film who throughout the film keeps a cool head and plays a harmonica. In one scene, in the dark, Jill hears him playing his harmonica and attempts to gun him down and she only realizes he fails when she hears the music once more! That was another memorable scene in the film Full of fantastic directorial moments and a great script, the performances in this film are rich especially by Henry Fonda who literally becomes another person for this film. As do Jason Robards in a brilliant performance as Cheyeene. Charles Bronson delivers yet another one of the most memorable performances as Harmonica. The rest of the supporting cast all do a great job making the performances in this film are outstanding
Ennio Morricone is a large reason as to why Sergio Leone's Westerns work to the extent they have. This musical score is the same in the fact that it is simply such an iconic piece of music that throughout the film perfectly resembles the tone of each scene.
Simply to say, Once Upon a Time in the West is an absolute masterpiece of a film that will remain one of Leone's best. I have no complaints with the movie that if I were to pick a bad part, I would only be able to say that it isn't quite as brilliant as 'The Good the bad and the Ugly'
Much like 'The Good, the bad and the Ugly', this is an extremely moving and epic tale told in the grandest of fashions to the very best of one's ability. The characters in this film are truly memorable as is the brilliant musical score composed by Ennio Morricone who simply outdoes himself with these films. The performances throughout the film are brilliant and the fantastic cinematography, writing and directing are flawless! Whilst The Good the bad and the Ugly had three of the most memorable characters (Blondie, Angel Eyes and Tucco), so does this film in having Frank, Cheyeene and nicknamed "Harmonica" who closely resemble the characters from Leone's previous masterpiece. These characters are extremely intense, entertaining even hilarious at times and most definitely great examples of fantastic characters in films. Frank, played by Henry Fonda, plays the antagonist in the film who must try o either kill Jill and take the land for his boss or to convince her to give it up. He has an absolutely fantastic scene in the film where we are introduced to him just as he viciously kills a young boy. This scene alone simply strikes a threatening image in our mind as to who this guy is and what he is like. Cheyeene is the extremely likable guy who throughout the film can be both dangerous and helpful certainly for Jill. His character is an iconic Western image right up there with Eastwood's character from the Dollars trilogy. Harmonica is the best character in the film who throughout the film keeps a cool head and plays a harmonica. In one scene, in the dark, Jill hears him playing his harmonica and attempts to gun him down and she only realizes he fails when she hears the music once more! That was another memorable scene in the film Full of fantastic directorial moments and a great script, the performances in this film are rich especially by Henry Fonda who literally becomes another person for this film. As do Jason Robards in a brilliant performance as Cheyeene. Charles Bronson delivers yet another one of the most memorable performances as Harmonica. The rest of the supporting cast all do a great job making the performances in this film are outstanding
Ennio Morricone is a large reason as to why Sergio Leone's Westerns work to the extent they have. This musical score is the same in the fact that it is simply such an iconic piece of music that throughout the film perfectly resembles the tone of each scene.
Simply to say, Once Upon a Time in the West is an absolute masterpiece of a film that will remain one of Leone's best. I have no complaints with the movie that if I were to pick a bad part, I would only be able to say that it isn't quite as brilliant as 'The Good the bad and the Ugly'