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Once Upon a Time in the West
C'era una volta il West
1968 166 min Italy, United States of America PG-13 18+
★8.5
Drama, Western
Director: Sergio Leone
Trailers
Description
As the railroad builders advance unstoppably through the Arizona desert on their way to the sea, Jill arrives in the small town of Flagstone with the intention of starting a new life.
Budget:
$5M
US Gross:
$5.32M
Worldwide:
$5.38M
Starring
Henry Fonda
Actor
Charles Bronson
Actor
Claudia Cardinale
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 2004
— Best DVD Edition of a Classic Film
Key opinion
Once Upon a Time in the West is widely regarded as a monumental masterpiece that redefined the genre through its meticulous visual style and iconic score. While some viewers find its deliberate, contemplative pace challenging, most celebrate it as an essential piece of cinema with profound character depth.
| Score | Ennio Morricone’s score is a timeless, foundational element that is inseparable from the film's mood and narrative impact. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography is masterfully precise, utilizing striking close-ups and deliberate framing to convey character emotion and tension. | |
| Acting | The performances—particularly from Bronson, Cardinale, Fonda, and Robards—create fully realized, multi-dimensional characters. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative is anchored by a compelling, well-structured screenplay that effectively balances themes of revenge and the encroaching transition of the American West. | |
| Pacing | The three-hour runtime rewards those who embrace the film’s slow, meditative tension, while others find the experience drawn-out or boring compared to Leone's faster-paced work. |