Rating: 
Summary: one of the greatest westerns of all time
Review: I was going to say that this is the greatest of the spaghetti westerns but truthfully, this movie is bigger than that. Every single thing about is incredible. The theme, the filming and the music is almost operatic. The casting of Henry Fonda as one of the most vicious villains ever seen in a movie was brilliant. Fonda tears into the role. Claudia Cardinale never looked as gorgeous again and Jason Robards, as the movie's wise man takes what could've been just a supporting character and makes him a hero. Finally, there's Charles Bronson, playing a man with no name, a man with only one thing to live for. When the camera leans in for a close up of Bronson's eyes they are cold, empty and seemingly dead. The only time he allows them to light up is when he looks at Claudia and when he and Fonda finally have their little chat. Every time I watch this film I see something that I never noticed before. It's great.
Rating:
Summary: Once Upon a Time in the West
Review: Not only is Once Upon a Time in the West the best western ever made, it is also the best movie ever made, period. The incredible cinematography, the awesome Ennio Morricone score, and the shockingly brilliant casting of Henry Fonda as one of the most cold-blooded villians ever to light up the big screen combine to produce a true movie masterpiece. Sergio Leone's meticulous attention to detail produced a film which is, at once, both a visual work of art and an exciting action picture. Please add my name to the list of people who are anxiously awaitng its release on DVD, and PLEASE use whatever influence you have to encourage its availability with Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS audio. The soundtrack is the best I have ever heard, and it would be an awful shame to release it in a lesser format.
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Summary: "It doesn't get any better than this"
Review: My title is a cliche but in this case it's the only phrase to use. The version of this movie available now, with its extra disc full of great bonus material, is an example of how to bring DVD format to its highest potential. First of course there's the movie, and its director Sergio Leone. Every Leone movie I've seen--Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, The Good Bad and Ugly, Once Upon a Time in America--is wonderful, but this tops them all. Imagine the year 1969: what a great time to be a western film lover. You had this, and Sam Peckinpah's Wild Bunch in the same year. Incredible. Anyway, it's impossible to list all the great scenes, so I'll stick with the first. If you love the credit sequence you'll love the movie; it's not for everybody, however. So those credits, mostly silent except for a windmill creaking, which Leone somehow makes sinister, and one of the minimal details he uses to establish authentic mood, are the litmus test. You'll either love the movie or hate it. The scene is built on a genius contradiction: it's so tense that you want it to end, but it's so beautifully done, so built on image and gesture and glance, that you also hope it never ends. The whole movie is that delicious. And the cast--wow. Everyone is at top form, but check out Henry Fonda as the leanest meanest bastard imaginable, but also someone you can't avoid enjoying because it is the GREAT Mr. Fonda, with Leone getting maximum mileage out of close ups of Fonda's ice-blue eyes, as unforgiving as a western sky, generally acting like the amiable stalwart figure he always plays, until he shoots little kids and fat lackeys whom he doesn't trust because they wear both suspenders and belts: and as Fonda says, how can you trust a man who can't even trust his own pants? As the heroine, Claudia Cardinale isn't just gorgeous she's luscious, lust-us. And tough. Watch for the scene where she looks at herself in the mirror when she's all alone in her house. whose previous residents, her family, have been killed by Fonda and his thugs. Charles Bronson--what an underrated actor. Dangerous yet entirely sympathetic here. He finds wit in his role, knows exactly what the unique Leone's up to and gets in sync with the vision. Jason Robards is incapable of giving a performance less than brilliant, and this is another highlight in the film. As Cheyenne he is funny and tough and smart, maybe the most complex performance in the movie. There's so much more, too--the finest Ennio Morricone soundtrack, killer dialogue, extraordinary cinematography. This DVD is put together so well it's even a pleasure to look at the menus--you'll see what I mean. And all this for under FIFTEEN U.S. DOLLARS. What are you waiting for?
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Summary: CLASSIC WESTERN / CLASSIC VILLIAN now on 16:9 DVD!
Review: Director Sergio Leone presents "Once Upon A Time In The West" a 1967 original uncut (165 minutes) masterpiece is a momumental western epic. This film is a big as its Monument Valley locations, as grand as its fine distinguished cast. As tough as we pictured the Old West to be. Henry Fonda plays the blackest character villian (perfectly cast) of his long distinguished career and is utterly convincing as Frank, the ruthless, murderous psychopath who suffers no conscience after killing an entire family. Jason Robards plays a half breed falsely accused of that terrible slaughter. Charles Bronson plays "Harmonica" the man seeking revenge remembering how his brother was savagely tortured by Frank. And Claudia Cardinale the widow who holds what Frank wants. This classic western is presented for the first time on a 2 DVD set with digitally remastered video and 5.1 Surround Sound in WideScreen Format (enhanced for 16:9 HDTV). The picture is clear and vividly reproduced for your home theatre experience. Special Features; Disc 1 - Feature and Full Commentary. Disc 2 - 3 Documentaries that include exclusive interviews with Claudia Cardinale and many film cast & crew. Film Shorts - An Opera of Violence, The Wages of Sin and Something to do with Death. Featurette - Railroad: Revolutionizing the West. Galleries of - Production and Cast Profiles. Theatrical Trailer. This is an outstanding Western movie and Henry Fonda's performance is worth the price of admission alone!!!! Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: A Western Classic
Review: I have been waiting forever for 'Once Upon a Time in the West' to finally hit DVD and now it's here. Trust me, it was well worth the wait. Sergio Leone's masterpiece centers around Jill McBain (played by the beautifal Claudia Cardinale), a woman brought into a struggle for land by some very tragic circumstances. Cardinale steals many scenes with her sheer beauty and ability to optimize Leone's signiture style of facial expressions and body actions to express emotion. Henry Fonda shocked many by going against his usual castings by playing the ruthless Frank, a killer without a conscience. Charles Bronson is wonderful as Leone's signature mystery man without a name, and Jason Robards shines as Cheyenne, a roughneck accused of a crime he didn't commit. OUATITW is quite different than Leone's other well known westerns starring Clint Eastwood, although he does still capture some of their magic here . Where this film differs is in it's characters and sheer scope. Leone's style is still well intact, but his storytelling is much more diverse here, not simply relying on one mechanic throughout. The DVD was very well done with a good quality picture and adequate sound. The second DVD in the set is loaded with features including documenteries and various featurettes. The commentary tracts are also well done and very informative as well as entertaining. All in all, this DVD was well worth the wait. For fans of the film, this is a gem for the collection that must be bought.
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Summary: Something to do with Death...
Review: We already know that this is the King of all movies so I will just comment on this DVD release. We own nearly 400 DVD's and have rented many others, both old and new, and I must say that the picture quality on Once Upon a Time in the West is by FAR AND ABOVE the best looking transfer of any DVD that I have EVER seen. Did I mention this movie is nearly 40 years old??
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Western of all Time.
Review: Even though Sergio Leone is Italian, he's very precise about American history in all of his westerns. Once Upon A Time In The West is based upon such American events as the opening of the western frontier and the age of the Railroad barons ( or " Robber Barons " ). The movie takes place in a small western town called Flagstone, although it's in the middle of nowhere it thrives, probably because of the Railroad ( HINT : If you look carefully at Mr. Morton's private train car, you can find out the name of the railroad ). A widow named Jill McBain ( Claudia Cardinale ), is defending the land she inhereted from her murdered husband against the greedy and powerful railroad tycoon, Mr. Morton ( Gabrielle Ferzetti ) and his pure evil gunman, Frank ( Henry Fonda!!!! ). She soon teams up with a notorious bandit, Cheyenne ( Jason Robards ), and a lonely gunfighter, Harmonica ( Charles Bronson ) to help her. But what she doesn't know is that Harmonica doesn't care that Frank might try to kill Jill, he wants revenge for something Frank did along time ago. Once Upon a Time in The West is full of important expressions, clever ironies, and Sergio Leone's famous close-up shots that truely make this movie an all-time classic.
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Summary: The best western ever made
Review: The cast is superb and the plot isn't obvious right away like most movies. Bronson's protrayal of a man who has waited years for revenge is great. This is in my opinion the best western ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: I don't compare this to the "Man with no name" trilogy in any way. This film however is alot like those but with a completely different storyline, characters etc. Only the settings and mood is similar, most directors have trademark things that end up in most of their films. I think this is definitely one of the BEST westerns ever made! Wow! the scenery, acting and cinematography is unbelievable!
Now, the dvd transfer is not too shabby either! The picture is clear and crisp and it makes the film look new. My only problem was with the dialogue. I had to turn up the sound quite loud to hear alot of what was said in a low tone. Its not said to deter you from purchasing this but just a small problem. The film is magnificent and its restore is ample.
Rating:
Summary: A True Epic
Review: I consider this movie one of the best westerns ever, and one of the best movies ever. The story centers on Charles Bronson (harmonica) as he seeks his revenge on Henry Fonda (Frank) Claudia Cardinale plays Jill who is probably the true focal point of the movie. She has land the railroad and Frank, want. Jason Robarbs plays Cheyenne. Fans of Leone westerns will recognize many actors who were in the dollars trilogy. A slow paced masterpiece, this film endures and is a true classic. The legendary Ennio Morricone delivers yet another mesmerizing beautiful musical score. The DVD is beautiful and there are many good extras. It was well worth the wait.
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