rodrig58 The real "characters" of this film are The Train and The Railway. Only then those wonderful actors called Claudia Cardinale, Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Jason Robards. And between them, as a gorgeous and vital "buffer", Morricone's music, without which any Leone's movie would have the half-size of the value if not even reduced to a quarter. I've seen it several times, I studied for a long time, I could give my doctoral thesis with this film, as with all the other films directed by old Sergio. The story is very simple and the only secret, the true identity of Bronson-Harmonica, is revealed, just like in other Leone's films, only at the end. Jack Elam and Woody Strode would have deserved more screen time. It could have taken, for example from Gabriele Ferzetti's time. Lionel Stander, Keenan Wynn, Paolo Stoppa and Frank Wolff are very good and distinguished from other roles in other films, Leone's exclusive merit. Claudia Cardinale has just turned 80 in April 2018 and is the only one who is still alive.

soundoflight They will never make a film like this again. An epic western with a large cast and real sets. The cinemascope widescreen format on real film. The languid pacing, demanding patience from the viewer, revealing the story slowly. The artistic shooting and framing of everything. The stylization. Somehow getting A-list hollywood talent into a film by a foreign, b-movie filmmaker. It simply couldn't be done today, and it will forever amaze me that it was done at all. This was Leone's best film, the one where everything came together. The acting, the music, the cinematography, the sets, the landscapes, and the story. It's all there. "Once Upon a Time in the West" may very well represent "peak cinema" - the exact high water mark of the film format. And for that reason, it's my favourite film.

Scott Summers This one only gets better with each viewing. Leone's masterful storytelling and Morricone's crazy, beautiful, epic soundtrack; desperate, haunted faces that look like the barren landscapes the story is set in and a plot that unfolds with impeccable pacing to culminate in THE ultimate western finale. As in Leone's previous films, music isn't just used to add to the atmosphere but is essential to the story, or perhaps even more: Morricone's main musical theme plays the actual role of a (or rather: the) protagonist in the film. Anyone who thought that the so called "Spaghetti Westerns" were nothing but cheap, violent B-movies had to reconsider after seeing this film. It doesn't get any better than this: this is movie history; iconic, classic, unforgettable, epic - for this film, I just run out of words.

speedtest The 2h45 minute long movie is really beautiful, fantastic camerawork, great actors, great detail. The best thing is the dialogue, every sentence makes sense, there's no silly filler talk. The action is top. I've only watched it twice but this movie you can enjoy any time you re-watch it. You shouldn't be impatient though, as the story is revealed slowly in a dramatic way.