Rating: 
Summary: Please, May I Give SIX Stars?
Review: Another reviewer has said, in talking about this film, that when you start throwing around superlatives -- announcing that something is the "Best" (or the "Worst) of its genre -- that logical analysis becomes pretty much irrelevant.And, make no mistake, this is my choice for the *best* Western ever made, an opinion that i do not believe any amount of mere logical argument could shake me on. Leone was, of course, the master of the spaghetti Western, and in this film he comes to America to shoot; knowing full well that comparisons to John Ford were inevitable, given the size of the film and the cast, he shoots in Monument Valley to emphasise the point that this film is a *serious* Western. Casting Henry Fonda so thoroughly against type, as Frank, a cold-blooded killer for hire who doesn't even blink as he guns down an eight-year-old boy as disinterestedly as most of us would step on an ant, was a brilliant move; adding Charles Bronson (in what was allegedly originally supposed to be Clint Eastwood's part) as the mysterious gunman with no name who is stalking Frank and stirring up trouble for reasons of his own, was genius. The size of this film can be deduced from the fact that people like Jack Elam, Woodie Strode, Lionel Stander and Keenan Wynne are present in what amount to character cameos... Claudia Cardinale and Jason Robards round out the powerful list of principals -- but it's Fonda and Bronson's film all the way, and they run with it. Leone is even more than his usual laconic self -- minimal/minimalist dialog, long languid buildups to sudden shocking action and brilliant camerawork that loves and emphasises the broad vistas of the American West and just as much makes giants of the actors in the middle of that vast panorama. Ennio Morricone provides the music (what a surprise...) and has done a masterful job, representing each of the four main characters by his or her own theme -- waltzing strings for Cardinale, menacing orchestra for Fonda, the slippery silver harmonica that Bronson's character plays as he stands and watches and waits and the clip-clopping, almost bluegrass theme for Robards as the local outlaw, Cheyenne. Co-written by Leone, Dario Argento and Bernardo Bertolucci (and isn't *that* a three-way parlay), the script's oblique approach to the story and gradual revelations of motive and intent among the four leads make this a film to savour and watch carefully so that you don't miss anything. The sheer audacity of the filmmaking and cinematography -- from an opening credit sequence that may be the longest ever filmed, featuring masterful performances by Jack Elam and Woodie Strode demonstrating that doing essentially nothing in the right way can be at least as interesting to watch as violent action, and builds suspense better, through one of the most spectacular crane shots i have ever seen, to brilliantly choreographed and photographed and edited action sequences -- is amazingly refreshing after one cookie-cutter, timid, by-the-numbers "action" film after another. And the final shoot-out (and ultimate revelation it brings) are as near Perfect as any film is ever likely to come -- the only thing that i can think of that even compares would be the final duel in "Sanjuro". I like this film a lot (can you tell?) and i think you will, too.
Rating:
Summary: DVD?
Review: This movie is part of western history. It has been duplicated by numerous directors in it's style. Why is it not on DVD? When will it be on DVD? If you enjoy rich characters, extreme storytelling and exquisite cinematography, you will enjoy this movie......
Rating:
Summary: Once Upon a Time in the West
Review: This is an awsome western. The ultimate Western. It's very hip, very haunting. None of the usual good guy vs bad guy stuff. No Hollywood great white hope saves the day patriotic gha gha. The characters are all very intriguing. Henry Fonda and Charles Bronson do their absolute best work here. Gabriele Ferzetti is glorious. Sergio Leone has style to spare. Filmed in 1967/68 Leone's style is still so fresh and exciting. A very cool little American tale told ever so slowly and deliberately by Leone, Bertolucci and Argento.
Rating:
Summary: Once Upon a Time in the West
Review: This is my all time favorite western and also one of my top ten all time favorite movies. Sergio Leone's direction is exceptional. I think many movies since have barrowed from Leone, Bertolucci and Argento's work here. This is no corn ball good guy vs bad guy hollywood western. No baudy loudmouthed brawling jerks here. None of the typical great white heroics or patriotic ga-ga. Both Henry Fonda and Charles Bronson put forth what I consider to be their best performances in this movie. Gabriele Ferzetti is glorious. All of the characters in Leone's tale are very intriguing. Your time watching this haunting western will be well spent.
Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable cinema - an unattainable benchmark for all
Review: It was so wonderful to read the reviews from fellow kindred spirits. I have been singing the praises of this film since I first saw it in 1977 in Brighton, England. Readers should note that the soundtrack is listed in Guterman's "The 100 Best Rock n Roll Records of all Time." (1992, Citadel). The combination of soundtrack, cinematography, and the intermix of the three story lines - Jill, Frank, Mr. Choo choo - is mesmerizing - I admit having watched the complete film at least 20 times. It never ceases to put chills in my spine. Morricone fans must also see the Mission.
Rating:
Summary: Must see(but only in widescreee!)
Review: Wow! This film is one of the best ever made, certainly in my top three all time favourites. The composition of picture in many of the scenes is out of this world, and combined with the wondorous musical score and storyline make it one the most amazing experiences ever to grace a movie or television screen. Superlatives do not do this film justice, it is virtually perfect! There is a drawback though, it MUST be seen in widescreen to experience the full effect. Not a problem you might think, but just try getting your hands on a widescreen version of the film - not an easy task I can tell you. Which is a crying shame, because many people will not get to see this magnificent film.
Rating:
Summary: A masterful opera on film
Review: This is surely one western in a class by itself. The acting and the music score combine to provide the viewer with a tremendous viewing experience. Without a doubt this is Serio Leone's best film. A must see. Probably one of the greatest scenes is between Jason Robards and Claudia Cardinale, "Jill, you remind me of my mother...whoever my father was, for a day or a month, he must have been a happy man."
Rating:
Summary: Majestic
Review: As someone said "I fell in love with Claudia Cardinale's eyes"... I surely did. She is so BEAUTIFUL. I fell in love with this movie too. It is majestic. It has some of the most memorable characters I have ever seen on film. Henry Fonda was really a genius actor. Leone's directing is magnificent and Enio's music unforgettable. One of the greatest movies ever.
Rating:
Summary: no other movie made can match it
Review: seen this movie when first released in 1969,and have never gotten over it... look at the railroad being built at the end of movie,,no digital effect here. watch Frank walk the length of train,and watch the camera follow,and then the horse follow, pure cinema genius..i agree with others,when is wide screen coming out? cant wait
Rating:
Summary: This one needs a widescreen release
Review: I can't say that "this" is the best film that Leone has ever made: he was an "auteur" in all senses, and all the movies that this man made are simply unforgettable as cinematic experiences. In this one he only gives a show up of what cinema is all about: mise-en-scene. It's not just the script: it's the control that the author (director, whatever) has with his crew and his cast. It's not because this guy did these or these guy did that that all of Leone's movies are so great: it's the soft hand that the "lion" had with each one of his movies. Moviegoers of all over the world, do yourself a favor: PLEASE, watch this masterpiece! I would like to make a little request to Paramount: you should release a widescreen 2.35:1 version of this one. Shot in wonderful Techniscope (and Technicolor), this movie loses a lot of the glorious photography by Tonino Delli Colli in this full screen version.
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