JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
Once Upon A Time In The West (1968)
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST
Apologies to my regular readers, Ive had a hectic couple of days and my blog has suffered. Thanks for your patience.
DVD Cover
Director:Sergio Leone
Writers:Dario Argento, Bernardo Bertolucci and Sergio Leone
Starring:Charles Bronson, Henry Fonda, Jason Robbards, Claudia Cardinale, woody Strode, Strothers Martin
Cinematography:Tonino Delli Colli
Score:Ennio Morricone
"I saw three of these dusters a short time ago, they were waiting for a train. Inside the dusters, there were three men."- Harmonica
Paced in the words of the Director, “to create the sensation of the last gasps that a person takes before dying…a dance of death”, Once Upon A Time In The West is an operatic vision of the old West.
Stylized, atmospheric and set against a massive landscape, the memorable score seeps in and out. Every scene feels like a mini epic in scope and execution.
Populated with larger than life figures that embodying menace, danger and undeniable cool strut in trench coats and spend there lives squinting into the hot sun.
The films opening scene is one of the finest ever committed to celluloid, three bad men wait for a train. (Originally Leone wanted Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach and Lee van Cleefto play the trio)
Through the eyes of a super wide lens we begin, a water pump creaks in the background, a fly buzzes annoyingly and water dripping through a cracked roof offers temporary relief from the heat. Cold steely eyes gaze, the distant sound of a train approaching, slowly getting closer the three stand up and make there way to meet their destinies, which will arrive in the form of the gunfighter Harmonica (Charles Bronson).
Making his way through a hostile land filled with vengeance and death Harmonica is on a quest to throw down with the despicably callous villain Frank (Henry Fonda).
This is not an historical old west, but it feels authentic. Grandly designed with its steroid riddled mythology this is a sensory experience, we see feel, hear, taste and smell this world.
"He's whittlin' on a piece of wood. I've got a feeling when he stops whittlin'... Somethin's gonna happen"-Cheynne
John Doe says:
Maestro Director Sergio Leone almost single handedly invented the spaghetti western with The Man With No Name Trilogy (Fistful Of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good The Bad and The Ugly).
The massive cult that surrounds the poncho wearing Clint Eastwood films eclipsed this epic tome to cinemas man of the west.
The Leone stamp is on every frame of Once Upon A Time In the West. The pauses and deliberate rhythm create stillness, and you can’t avert your gaze. Mesmerizing and hypnotic it draws you in with unforgettable imagery and cinematic technique.
The cinematography, shot with an expert eye, demands that you watch this on the biggest screen you can find.
The minimalist script by horror legend Dario Argento (Suspira, Tenebre, Deep Red) and Bernardo Bertolluci (Last Tango In Paris, The Conformists, The Dreamers, 1900) make every single line matters, the atmosphere and performances come first.
Charles Bronson (The Valachi Papers, the Mechanic, Magnificent 7, Great Escape) was never better as the stoned faced anti hero; he was born for the role of Harmonica.
A stunning turn against type for Henry Fonda (Fail Safe, Grapes of Wrath, Warlock, 12 Angry Men, The Wrong Man), he is exploding with evil and you love to hate him.
"People scare better when they're dying"-Frank
Claudia Cardinale (Conversation Piece, The Leopard) is stunningly beautiful and creates a strong female for the ages. Jason Robbards (Magnolia, All the Presidents Men) is at his Cable Hogue best, getting some real comedy from his gruff criminal persona.
"Do you know anything about a guy going around playing the harmonica? He's someone you'd remember. Instead of talking, he plays. And when he better play, he talks."-Cheynne
The eccentric score from Ennio Morricone pulls the whole thing together and creates a western Masterpiece.
The DVD:
A fine example of everything the technology was designed for. The 2:35:1 wide transfer is essential as is the sublime sound design. We also get an informative commentary from Directors like John Carpenter (the Thing), Alex Cox (Repo Man) and John Milius (Conan) plus film historians.
Better still is the making of documentary: An opera Of Violence, the wages of Sin, something to do with Death featuring interviews with cast and crew.
A featurette called Railroad: Revolutionising the Western that is short but also well worth a look.
Last but not least there is the usual cast and crew bios and production and locations stills. A must for every collection.
Starring:Charles Bronson, Henry Fonda, Jason Robbards, Claudia Cardinale, woody Strode, Strothers Martin
Cinematography:Tonino Delli Colli
Score:Ennio Morricone
"I saw three of these dusters a short time ago, they were waiting for a train. Inside the dusters, there were three men."- Harmonica
Paced in the words of the Director, “to create the sensation of the last gasps that a person takes before dying…a dance of death”, Once Upon A Time In The West is an operatic vision of the old West.
Stylized, atmospheric and set against a massive landscape, the memorable score seeps in and out. Every scene feels like a mini epic in scope and execution.
Populated with larger than life figures that embodying menace, danger and undeniable cool strut in trench coats and spend there lives squinting into the hot sun.
The films opening scene is one of the finest ever committed to celluloid, three bad men wait for a train. (Originally Leone wanted Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach and Lee van Cleefto play the trio)
Through the eyes of a super wide lens we begin, a water pump creaks in the background, a fly buzzes annoyingly and water dripping through a cracked roof offers temporary relief from the heat. Cold steely eyes gaze, the distant sound of a train approaching, slowly getting closer the three stand up and make there way to meet their destinies, which will arrive in the form of the gunfighter Harmonica (Charles Bronson).
Making his way through a hostile land filled with vengeance and death Harmonica is on a quest to throw down with the despicably callous villain Frank (Henry Fonda).
This is not an historical old west, but it feels authentic. Grandly designed with its steroid riddled mythology this is a sensory experience, we see feel, hear, taste and smell this world.
"He's whittlin' on a piece of wood. I've got a feeling when he stops whittlin'... Somethin's gonna happen"-Cheynne
John Doe says:
Maestro Director Sergio Leone almost single handedly invented the spaghetti western with The Man With No Name Trilogy (Fistful Of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good The Bad and The Ugly).
The massive cult that surrounds the poncho wearing Clint Eastwood films eclipsed this epic tome to cinemas man of the west.
The Leone stamp is on every frame of Once Upon A Time In the West. The pauses and deliberate rhythm create stillness, and you can’t avert your gaze. Mesmerizing and hypnotic it draws you in with unforgettable imagery and cinematic technique.
The cinematography, shot with an expert eye, demands that you watch this on the biggest screen you can find.
The minimalist script by horror legend Dario Argento (Suspira, Tenebre, Deep Red) and Bernardo Bertolluci (Last Tango In Paris, The Conformists, The Dreamers, 1900) make every single line matters, the atmosphere and performances come first.
Charles Bronson (The Valachi Papers, the Mechanic, Magnificent 7, Great Escape) was never better as the stoned faced anti hero; he was born for the role of Harmonica.
A stunning turn against type for Henry Fonda (Fail Safe, Grapes of Wrath, Warlock, 12 Angry Men, The Wrong Man), he is exploding with evil and you love to hate him.
"People scare better when they're dying"-Frank
Claudia Cardinale (Conversation Piece, The Leopard) is stunningly beautiful and creates a strong female for the ages. Jason Robbards (Magnolia, All the Presidents Men) is at his Cable Hogue best, getting some real comedy from his gruff criminal persona.
"Do you know anything about a guy going around playing the harmonica? He's someone you'd remember. Instead of talking, he plays. And when he better play, he talks."-Cheynne
The eccentric score from Ennio Morricone pulls the whole thing together and creates a western Masterpiece.
The DVD:
A fine example of everything the technology was designed for. The 2:35:1 wide transfer is essential as is the sublime sound design. We also get an informative commentary from Directors like John Carpenter (the Thing), Alex Cox (Repo Man) and John Milius (Conan) plus film historians.
Better still is the making of documentary: An opera Of Violence, the wages of Sin, something to do with Death featuring interviews with cast and crew.
A featurette called Railroad: Revolutionising the Western that is short but also well worth a look.
Last but not least there is the usual cast and crew bios and production and locations stills. A must for every collection.
"Once Ive spilled your guts all over the dirt, Im going to go and eat some linguini"
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
What a cast and crew!
Fantastic silent faceoffs and the feel of the old west...!
Film & TV on DVD
After a screening it takes a little while to return to the real world.
Do you like Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dynamite aka Duck You Sucka?
Starring James Cogburn and Rod Steiger, Its a really entertaining western comedy and easily Leone's most ignored work.
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
In fact, I've got a copy of The Good, the bad and the ugly at home, waiting to be rewatched. I'm waiting for the perfect atmosphere to watch it!
Film & TV on DVD
Checkout Fistful of Dynamite if you get the chance. Sure its not as good as Once Upon A time but the comedy really works well.
Philosophy Blog
Film & TV on DVD
Have you picked up a copy of the film yet?
Film & TV on DVD