Rent Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

Images Linger Long After the Film - Once Upon a Time in the West review by CV

The first two sequences of the film are quite extraordinary: no music except the amplified natural sounds of a squeaky wind-fan, dripping water and a door slam create a nerve-jangling opening to this epic Western. The next sequence, seemingly unrelated to the first, is also nerve-jarring in effect, also created by the stopping and starting of natural sounds, in this case the interrupted chirrupping of cicadas. After this the drama unfolds and the audience has to work out how the characters relate to one another as their paths constantly cross throughout: who are directly involved in the main action and who are incidental. My mind was still putting in place the earlier events way after the film had ended.

I chose the film as I wanted literally a change of scenery from my recent choices and if you have a large screen it will be all the more impressive. There are both amazing panoramic visions of Monument Valley and disturbing close-ups of the characters. Henry Fonda is cross-cast but my favourite performance was that of Charles Bronson who seems omnipresent, hovering, always observing what's going on. He has no name and has a cypher existence until the ending.

After the film had ended I looked at the extras and there was a running commentary on the film in its entirety. I was quite happy to watch it all again where the direction and photography was discussed as the film was running but time prevented.

I was surprized there were no reviews here already for this film where my Film Guide had praised it to the skies. The images linger long after the film has ended.

DOES NOT LIVE UP TO ITS REPUTATION - Once Upon a Time in the West review by MW

Having seen reviews suggesting this was one of the great westerns, I was very disappointed on viewing it for the first time.

Although, visually, it is stunning and Leone's well-known cinematic techniques are in evidence, compared to productions on similar subjects over the last fifty years, this appears trite, predictable and of another less-sophisticated era. As with his earlier films, the plot lines are frequently muddled and fail to conclude. However, the acting performances from the established stars are good, but many of the minor performers are laughable. The intended humour is well conceived and well executed, but the visual impact does not compensate for its other shortcomings.

In conclusion, I could not recommend the film. Instead, I suggest looking at the works of John Ford, Anthony Mann, John Sturgess and Sam Peckinpah, amongst others.

Not as good as expected, but still great - Once Upon a Time in the West review by JD

This is the first time im seen Charles Bronson on screen for a long time, and it was great to see him. While he is no Clint Eastwood when it comes to this sort of thing, the guy is still brilliant. Infact my next job is to go through and add a load of films he is in!

Indeed, the main cast is excellent and all 4 of them are top notch even by modern standards.

I found the film a bit drawn out, not getting to the point, slow.

There is only so much the average viewer can take and its being a pushed a bit here.

However, while im no enjoyer of arty direction - pointless pans of the scenery, closeups of actors looking meaningfully into the distance.... Sergio is an absolute master at such things. Where today many directors just do it for the hope of a gong at Cannes - A silence in a Sergio film just continues the story with looks, images, actions. Its brilliant.

Plus we have the master musician doing the score. Its hard to go wrong when you have a brilliant cast, a brilliant director and a legendry composer all linned up.

The effects are pretty good for the most part to, with real stuntmen and that fly at the start on the guys face was brilliant.

Not the best of the bunch, but a great watch nonetheless.