The full 15 minutes of the opening scene is a masterpiece. Each main character in the movie has a musical theme which was played on the scene as it was filmed. The duel at the end is another masterpiece. Definitely one of the very best Westerns ever. The acting, music and cinematography are superb.
The movie itself is a masterpiece! But the soundtrack is simply impossible to describe! I love it! There are not much soundtracks that impressed me like this!
The opening sequence sets the tone for the whole movie. Every second is a work of art. Just like Michelangelo wasn’t “just a painter” Sergio wasn’t just a director and Bronson en every cast member not just “an actor”. This is a timeless piece of art that will never age.
It took a while (like several decades), but some of our more Manifested of Destiny are finally beginning to See the Light. Yeah, Ole Sergio and his band of Merry_Made_Men captured something that others may have missed. Was it Cinematic, or more Theatrical, Musical or Poetic? No se. Luv n' Death makes Big Art and sometimes a little money on the side:-)
The artistry is what sets this apart from 'ALL' others. Communication by facial expression instead of dialogue, with an operatic beautiful soundtrack, throws you into an unequaled realm.
One of the 5 greatest westerns ever made. Underrated because it is long and not constant action. You have to have a long attention span to really appreciate it. It has an unparalleled opening scene. Perfect, second to none.
True, people nowadays can hardly focus on anything. Good old times but be sure the real elite today is still able to enjoy. It's just the masses of idiots that cannot.
This Is the greatest western ever , Henry Fonda was evil in character , Jason Robards was the scapegoat but a good character, Charles Bronson scary good, the female Lead beautiful and stronger with saltiness Claudia Cardinale
How do u shoot a guy so hard so accurate that he shoots in the opposite behind him aiming at u directly in front of u. Now that's hard! Not even Clint or anyone is that good. Wow!
@@grandoldpartisan8170 Their backs were turned to Bronson and they had never met him before. They couldn't be sure "harmonica" was the man they were sent to kill until he asked the three about Frank.
To me Charles Bronson, Anthony Quinn, Gregory Peck, Sean Connery , Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Henry Fonda and Kirk Douglas are one of a kind actors. They had unmatched styles not replaceable ❤
@@muhammadtaazzumalirathore6954 You obviously don't know who Tuco is??? Watch the Western movie The good, the bad and the ugly, then get back to me, I don't know his real name, just know him by movie name, so don't nit pick if that's your sole intent.
Yes, that had to hurt. But the stuntman's fall wasn't as bad as Al Mulock's (the third hired killer meeting Charles Bronson's character at the train station in the opening scene) real suicide leap attempt from the third story "hotel" which ended up being successful. Quite a sad and tragic ending for such a talented and memorable character actor.
@@Bleihagel But it is worth it when he did it for a timeless movie classic like this :) Imagine breaking your neck for a Steven Seagal movie... My oh my.. (Under Siege is cool though)
A masterpiece... one for the ages... one of my favorite movies ever... and certainly one of the most beautiful movies (in every sense) of all time. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G ! ! !
Une galerie de poseurs. Des mimes qui prennent des heures pour faire un mouvement. Jamais cette ânerie prétentieuse n'arrivera à la cheville des westerns américains.
1st time I saw this I was about 14-15. Then I enjoyed Cheyenne's remarks the most. The older I get (and the more films I see) I love more and more this movie, the way scenes build, the characters evolve, the way the music and the photography compliment each other, the underlying story. It's a masterpiece.
Yes, exactly. If you watch such a movie at 14-18 you can not appreciate its complexity and you also do not have that background for a judgement. When you get older and watch this movie again your understanding will be totally different. I was lucky to watch it first in a cinema that was playing classics from time to time...this is also a movie for a BIG screen and a proper sound. Not small TV/Video. The difference is huge.
One of the greatest westerns ever made, and certainly one of my very favorites. I've always loved those big epic ones like The Searchers & The Magnificent Seven, or Tombstone & The Outlaw Josey Wales, or Shane & The Unforgiven (1961 movie w/ Burt Lancaster & Audrey Hepburn). These actors are at their stoic best here in this film. And Claudia is a Goddess!! Sergio & Ennio are geniuses, as are the sound engineers and the brilliant cinematographers. Simply a terrific work of art! Hard to believe I first saw it about 52 years ago on ABC TV's old Sunday Night Movie, as a mid teen watching it with my Dad. I can still remember how he laughed out loud at the train scene: "He had the gun in HIS BOOT!!" Always loved this gem and never tire of it.💟✌
Great story, soundtrack and cast, but the opener is its finest moment: "Did ya being a horse for me?" "Hahah, looks like we're shy one horse." "No." (Shaking head.) "You brought two too many."
The way Bronson moves his head slightly from bottom to top and looks at the three cowboys with his light blue eyes from under his hat, while the cowboy with one eye close to closed and the other open eye looks at him, and the black cowboy changes his facial expressions according to the words spoken, I see these scenes in my mind as if they came out of a comic book. It felt like.
Jack Elam, Woody Strode and Al Mulock were the gunmen, Sergio Leone originally wanted his stars from the last movie of his "Man with no name" trilogy, Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach as the gunmen.
sometimes you have to give it to hollywood and this is one of those occasions.it's almost like mum rereading your favourite bedtime story .you know what's going to happen but you still love it .
The best or certainly one of the best westerns. It had one thing in common with 1982 Blade Runner. It was at the time panned by the critics and the public didn’t like it much. But, as the years and decades went by, both movies slowly got more and more appreciated and respected.
Top of the list of my fav westerns, along with G.B. & the U. Saw this the first time, What? Henry Fonda a bad guy? Perfect! Timeless movie, good video but no justice! a must full watch. I could not go to the theater to see it when it playes, I was not even a year old. lol
The best scene in the movie is the beginning when Jack Elam is trying to get rid of the fly. One of the best purely physical scenes ever captured on film.
Jack was such a staple to western TV shows and movies. Almost always the bad guy, but occasionally got to be a good guy. Always played his job well. Just another one of that long list of great actors of that time!
The stunt man @9:58: That fall from the top of that roof was epic. Those stunt professionals are just that; professionals but from the camera angle I saw, that had to hurt like hell when he hit the deck. I can hear ole Leone shout: "Cut, that's a take"!!!👍
10/10 This movie is often underrated, the cast of Bronson, Fonda, Strode, etc. knew they were making a classic. It slows down the entire western feel but speeds up the viewers emotions. When you watch it multiple times you realize it could have been three different classic movies. Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood robbed us of at least one cinema showdown together, only in a Rawhide scene.
Added tidbit of trivia.....this was the only time Fonda played outside of his movie persona or" brand" and went all in on playing his role as a heavy. Mind you, it took a lot of cajoling and discussion with Leone and even Bronson for Mr Fonda to agree. Robards played a part in the decision as well since he and Fonda were friends off screen. And finally, Miss Cardinale was able to convince him in the end since she too had never been in a film of this level violence/plot/form of epic proportions. She said her decision to make the film hinged on her friendship with Leone and the legendary Ennio Morricone ( the architect of the film score and arrangements). Regardless, an absolute pleasure to watch and enjoy in the pantheon of great Westerns/ film.
Eastwood was considered for the part of Harmonica Man, not Frank. Leone only wanted Fonda for the part of Frank. 100% factual statement. Leone only wanted Fonda based primarily because Fonda had such piercing blue eyes and Leone literally had different camera filters for the lenses during the scenes where Fonda has close-ups. I'm bringing this to your attention to detail that You mentioned that Bronson and Eastwood could have been in a duel scenario in the film. Not so. Eastwood was considered for the protagonist role, just like he had been in the three previous Leone classics, The Man With No Name Trilogy. Eastwood said no because he didn't want to do anymore Spaghetti Western films and they had just finished the " For a Few Dollars More" a few months earlier. ( Last film in the trilogy mentioned above). Eli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef were both considered for parts in this film, " Once Upon a Time in The West", but were committed to other projects. Bronson was chosen after Eastwood said no, Coburn said no and Robards had been cast as Cheyenne. ( Although Robards had been interested in the Harmonica Man role initially). Fonda was literally the last actor signed on to the project after much consideration and discussion with Leone. Remember, THIS is the only film in Fonda's acting career where he deviated from his " good guy" persona in his films. He later said he was very much appreciative of the overall experience and direction of Leone in this classic Western.
@@mikecavanaugh257 Your insight is magnificent and well appreciated. I am now understanding things about other western from your perspective and knowledge on this one….Thank you Mike.
@@mikecavanaugh257 Actually Sophia Loren was to play Jill McBain, as her husband Carlo Ponti was close to Sergio and was pushing her. He also offered to produce the film. But Sergio had second thoughts prior to shooting , for he didn't need a diva on set. And it turned out Sergio did the right thing. CC is a much better actress.
Fonda and Bronson and Robards. Does it get any better than that. How can fonda go from the lone juror holdout with great compassion, to cold blooded killer frank? Now that is the complete package. What a range. Robards never disappoints. That gruff face and commanding voice. And what can you say that hasn't been said about tough guy Bronson? To this day, anyone that even resembles him, I keep an eye on. Just in case. He was a one of a kind tough guy. Those eyes were that of a killer. Perfectly cast in all of his roles. He should have worn a cuff on his sleeve that read, stay back 1000 feet. My all time favorite western. Bravo.
Bronson and Fonda were discussing - off camera - after the final scenes we're finished: that Robards was sad it was ending. He said it was his greatest experience as an actor.
@@robertwalker5521 I believe that. Of course, I wouldn't know, but I do know that when I am with someone who has the same interest as I and we are pursuing it, the fact that they are astute in their search brings me great joy. Bronson and fonda were at the tip of their game I think. And Robards is right there with them as a class act. When your in the midst of greatness, we want for it to never end. It's how I feel about Christ. Except magnified a million times over.
Amazing; the film is really so cool and thrilling willing to see again and again;every shot,location,direction and of course Music was/is beyond the time
The crazy thing is that all the sounds the voices the music were done post production. Meaning all the actors had to come back and record their lines then they were put in the movie. Great editing. It's the only movie I own and that stuntman had to be hurt i cringe every time I watch that scene
Remember, and teach your children: It is always dangerous when the man you are sent to meet, stepping off a train, stands on the platform blowing a harmonica.
Ok but the way Cheyenne hung his boot over the train to make it seem like his foot was dangling... but it was really his hand holding his gun!!!! That was so freaking cool!
Saw Henry Fonda interviewed and he spoke of this role. He spent $380 on brown contact lenses to go forbthe audition and Sergio exploded - he wanted those pure blue eyes to make his bad guy even badder. Great foresight and one of those little things rhat made him such a master.
This is one of the best movies ever actors sound track and cinamic ,out of all characters Robards Cheyan was my favorite wish character lived deserved own movie .
Its an opera. Every character his its own theme in the music! For me, the best film ever made. Camera is fantastic, many detail shuts. The first time Henry Fonda act a bad person. But you have to look it in original english! And one of the most important thing, Leone takes time enough. Its a sort of quiet film!
I've got to watch this movie again, its been too long since I last saw it. One of the best even though the action scenes are a little slow in developing. I'm always amazed watching Henry Fonda play one of the most ruthless western bad guys ever to be put on screen. There really are a lot of good scenes in this movie, but it really needs the 'hanging' scene, the one where the family is prepping for the party, and the closing one with the duel between Frank and Harmonica Man.
Growing up, my father shared many westerns with me, especially if it had Clint East Wood. If I had been shown this, I may have enjoyed the genre more, this is such a unique film. Thanks for posting this. I’m going to go watch the whole thing this eve :)
I often wondered how many times poor old Jack got killed in all the westerns he was in. He made a good number of appearances on "Gunsmoke" over that show's long run. He was good as the western bad guy, but he was a hoot along side James Garner in the humorous "Support Your Local Sheriff", where he actually was on the side of the law. We must just face the fact that it was the time of really great actors. And so many of them.
That's because Paramount gave him Carte Blanche to make a 4th spaghetti western, but Sergio wanted to make a Hollywood western, with actors he could now afford. He always wanted Henry Fonda in his movies, he also wanted Charles Bronson in the role of Tuco, in the Good, the Bad and the Ugly, but Bronson was filming The Dirty Dozen in 1966.
Oh my goodness! I forgot about about how we would discuss something, and someone would go, "Oh, that old such and such trick"! I haven't heard that used for years! What fun we had in all the things we did back then.
@@wjrasmussen666 You're right! Some of us carried on that old humor that the greatest generation had. I tried to carry it on, as I meant the public in the course of my jobs. But some people see no humor in humor, if you know what I mean. What a pit life must be for them!
