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Once Upon A Time In The West (1969)
Released By: Paramount Home Video   Rating: PG   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: Paramount Home Video
Genre: Western
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Sergio Leone
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards
Published ID: 1801
UPC: 097360683042, 097360683028,
Plot: In Sergio Leone's epic Western, shot partly in Monument Valley, a revenge story becomes an epic contemplation of the Western past. To get his hands on prime railroad land in Sweetwater, crippled railroad baron Morton (Gabriele Ferzetti) hires killers, led by blue-eyed sadist Frank (Henry Fonda), who wipe out property owner Brett McBain (Frank Wolff) and his family. McBain's newly arrived bride, Jill (Claudia Cardinale), however, inherits it instead. Both outlaw Cheyenne (Jason Robards) and lethally mysterious Harmonica (Charles Bronson) take it upon themselves to look after Jill and thwart Frank's plans to seize her land. As alliances and betrayals mutate, it soon becomes clear that Harmonica wants to get Frank for another reason -- it has something to do with death. As in his Dollars trilogy, Leone transforms the standard Western plot through the visual impact of widescreen landscapes and the figures therein. At its full length, Once Upon a Time in the West is Leone's operatic masterwork, worthy of its legend-making title. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
Absolutely Crucial
Added 11/3/2009

Everyone should see this movie, even if just as the best example of what the Italian Western is capable of. Spaghetti Western designation aside, this is a great movie, one of the best ever filmed. Superb.

I must say though, that fans of Leones trilogy starring Clint Eastwood may be better served to explore elsewhere first if looking to familiarize themseves with the Italian Western. This movie may be too big a leap, and as probably the best in the genre, it would best be appreciated after seeing some the lesser, but still great, contributions the the genre.

Not as rollicking as his trilogy of films starring Clint Eastwood, Once Upon a Time... has a somewhat more sombre tone, but is no,less enjoyable. A feast for the eyes.

The package is exceptional. Worth every penny. The special features are interesting and insightful. The print itself is gorgeous.


1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Superb Classic
Added 11/2/2009

This movie is unbelivable as old as it is! You must, simply must, add this to your collection if you know anything at all about westerns. You will nerver forget it!! This is one of Sergios finest. It will never get any better than this.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
An Italian western made in America
Added 10/14/2009

Charles Bronson and Henry Fonda make a story about the coming of an
evil railroad tycoon to Arizona.
Part of the movie is filmed in the John Wayne country of Monument Valley.
The only recognizable Italian is the leading lady, Claudia Cardinale,
but the film has a Sergio Leone
feel to the filming. In such a short period of time a revolution
in Hollywood had taken place and movies with Italian extras
shot in Italy ans Spain were no longer enough.
Charles Bronson is the Clint Eastwood character of the nameless man.
The result is pretty much a bad imitation of an Italian western?
Not that everybody didn't do their part, but the result just
doesn't have the spirit of the Eastwood films.

0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
laughable juvenile fantasy that would have appealed to me if i were 7 years old.
Added 10/14/2009

this is a classic movie????? if you're of that opinion i suggest you try reading some books. i've always been a book person, but am trying to give movies a try. i guess i had better go back to books. it seems like for about 2 hours of this almost 3 hour film, everyone just slowly walks around and stares at each other. i guess this is suppose to show that they are really really bad. honestly this is a childish revenge fantasy movie that's all cliche. from early on in the film, you know exactly how it's going to end, who will die, that sort of thing. like my review title says this is art created for the mentality of a 7 year old boy. my goodness this is bad bad art. laughable. good soundtrack though.
2 out of 13 people found this helpful.
Leone at his most brilliant
Added 10/13/2009

I first viewed this movie 40 years ago, and it remains one of my all-time favourites, although I have no special interest in westerns. Casting the usually genial good guy Henry Fonda as a ruthless killer, and usually bad guy Charles Bronson as hero, was a stroke of genius.

From the railway scene close-ups at the beginning, to Frank's final "Who are you?" in the chilling flashback scene near the ending, the whole movie is an unforgettable feast of mesmerising camera work, great acting and intriguing (if improbable) story line that keeps you guessing until the aforementioned flashback scene. And Claudia Cardinale is irresistible.

If you're even remotely interested in Sergio Leone or spaghetti westerns, this movie deserves a place in your collection.

1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Absolutely Crucial
Added 11/3/2009

Everyone should see this movie, even if just as the best example of what the Italian Western is capable of. Spaghetti Western designation aside, this is a great movie, one of the best ever filmed. Superb.

I must say though, that fans of Leones trilogy starring Clint Eastwood may be better served to explore elsewhere first if looking to familiarize themseves with the Italian Western. This movie may be too big a leap, and as probably the best in the genre, it would best be appreciated after seeing some the lesser, but still great, contributions the the genre.

Not as rollicking as his trilogy of films starring Clint Eastwood, Once Upon a Time... has a somewhat more sombre tone, but is no,less enjoyable. A feast for the eyes.

The package is exceptional. Worth every penny. The special features are interesting and insightful. The print itself is gorgeous.


1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Superb Classic
Added 11/2/2009

This movie is unbelivable as old as it is! You must, simply must, add this to your collection if you know anything at all about westerns. You will nerver forget it!! This is one of Sergios finest. It will never get any better than this.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
An Italian western made in America
Added 10/14/2009

Charles Bronson and Henry Fonda make a story about the coming of an
evil railroad tycoon to Arizona.
Part of the movie is filmed in the John Wayne country of Monument Valley.
The only recognizable Italian is the leading lady, Claudia Cardinale,
but the film has a Sergio Leone
feel to the filming. In such a short period of time a revolution
in Hollywood had taken place and movies with Italian extras
shot in Italy ans Spain were no longer enough.
Charles Bronson is the Clint Eastwood character of the nameless man.
The result is pretty much a bad imitation of an Italian western?
Not that everybody didn't do their part, but the result just
doesn't have the spirit of the Eastwood films.

0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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