Once Upon a Time in the West

[FloraBama Kid]

Was this filmed in the US? I just saw this movie again and I always see something new evey time I see it. And there are some "excellent" quotes in this movie;

"You remind me of my mother; the biggest whore in Alameda." (jason Robarts)

"Inside each duster is a man, inside each man is a bullet." (Charles Bronson)

I know there must be a reason why someone like Henry Fonda would take a part in a spagetti Western.

And I really like the music especially the Harmonica!

[Shiloh Sharpie]

The film was filmed in Spain, Italy and the US.  Sergio Leone is the director and co-wrote the screenplay.  Some consider this his masterpiece.  I personally miss Clint; I never could watch this movie although that is not a comment on its quality.  I just can't settle down with it.  Not sure why.  Certainly my shortcoming.

Could be that Claudia Cardinale's character's name is McBain Doesn't fit somehow.   

[Will Ketchum]

One of my least favorite Westerns.  I watched yesterday and still found it confusing and convoluted.

Will Ketchum

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[California Lawdawg]

I watch it every time it comes on. Beats the he** out of the other garbage on tv now adays.


Lawdawg

[RRio]

Love Henry Fonda's gun and rig in that one.

[Shiloh Sharpie]

One of my least favorite Westerns.  I watched yesterday and still found it confusing and convoluted.

Will Ketchum

Will, 

Perhaps you have stated my misgivings as well.

[FloraBama Kid]

There really are only two issues I have with this movie:
- the dang sound is not in sync with the lips... Okay, so some of the actors are not speaking English. This beggs the question again, why would a big actor like Henry Fonda do this film?

- the dialog and plot does ramble a bit.  Oh yeah, Mrs. McBain's makeup is way over the top!! But that was the sixties..

What I do like is the detail of the small things such as the dripping water on the gunmans hats, the guns and leather, the dramma of the swirling dusters and the Bronson and Robarts characters. The music and sound are classic Sergio Leone!

[Russ T Chambers]

Fonda wasn't going to do the movie, but was convinced by his friend Eli Wallach to watch the man-with-no-name triolgy, also made by Sergio Leone.  He decided he like those and agreed to go with it.  He even showed up with a scruffy beard and a set of brown contact lenses, but Leone wanted the charater to look blue eyed and clean shaven (the Henry Fonda look!)
By the way the Leone films probably have the longest segments of music to back up scenes of facial pores ever done!

[Ol Gabe]

Watching this epic on broadcast TV, or even the edited version on cable can be challenging for any viewer, to say the least not getting the overall feeling that Leone embedded into his films. The recent release of the 'directors cut' complete with the obligatory mini-documentaries and virtually ALL the scenes restored to the original length does, however, give the viewer a complete and very understandable film.
The scens at the opening where Woody Strode lounges in the shade, waiting for 'someone', are only glossed over in the standardized TV version. In the 'directors cut' we get to see the long gazes and woeful looks as the drops of water taunt Woody's character. One of the mini-docs explains that shot and how it took forever to get it right but that Leone insisted on it as it was a developing segment for the entire plotline.
On sale at most video stores the 'director's cut' is well worth the price, of course you can always rent it, just make sure you get the widescreen version, the pan-and-scan 'edited for TV' version just doesn't do the movie justice.
Best regards and good viewing!
'Ol Gabe

[RRio]

Dadgum Henry Fonda, anyhow!

Now I'm wantin' a rig like his, and a nickled 7 1/2" to go with it!!

Dadgummit!!