Why Sergio Leone Played Music On Set 

Fun fact: Kubrick phoned Leone and asked him how he did the opening scene of A fistfull of dollar (soundtrack perfectly sync with video). He explained. Kubrick was very interested about that so he decided to do the same (music first and then writing the scene) in Clockwork Orange. Few months later Kubrick phoned Ennio Morricone to offer to him the possibility to write the soundtrack of Clockwork Orange. Leone convinced Ennio to tell to Kubrick that he was occupated and he couldnt do it. Of course it was a lie, Leone simply didnt want to share his friend Ennio with other important directors. Morricone said in a recent interview that his only regreat was the fact that he had never worked with Kubrick. Sorry for my english, i'm Italian.

Only one problem with a score so beautiful, its sometimes hard to see through the tears.

Sergio Leone's direction + Ennio Morricone's music = Timeless Classic.

This crane shot going over the roof is absolute perfection.

I saw Ennio Morricone live in Italy. There’s nothing like hearing an entire roman amphitheater erupt with cheers to a single note from a harmonica

Here after Ennio Morricone's death today. Rest in music.

Ecstasy of Gold *always* gives me a strong emotional reaction.

'Without music, life would be a mistake.' - Friedrich Nietzsche I love this quote.

You talk about his music in his films, but I think his use of silence is just as great. The openings in Once Upon A Time in the West wouldn't as captivating without its silence. And noting that in the intro, we have no idea what the stakes are at that point, yet we're completely invested and on the edge of our seats due to the cinematography, acting by the actors and the organic sounds that create a tense mood. Same with the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (my favorite film of all time) and it's opening. Using silence to portray tension without any type of stakes is a freaking artform and is rarely able to be duplicated, and later "adding silence" in dramatic stand offs or encounters, focusing on the facial expressions, adds even more tension to a scene. He is such a great filmmaker because of how deliberate he is with every single sound in his films.

I saw Ennio Morricone live in Helsinki a couple years back and having his film scores blasted at you by a full orchestra was a pretty transcendent experience, I must say.

Revisiting this video on hearing the news of Ennio Morricone's passing today at the age of 91. He's left a legacy on film scores that will last for as long as the movies exist. Rest in peace, Maestro.

Morricone has always been my favorite composer of all time. It’s just a shame that people only know him for the western music he produces; he’s got so much more, Chi Mai is one of my favorites.

Ennio's score literally stopped me in my tracks as a kid running up the stairs when I first heard it.

At 6:00 I got so amazed by the scene that I forgot that I was watching a NerdWritter video. Amazing.

“I’ve always said that my best dialogue and screenwriter is Ennio Morricone. ” - Sergio Leone RIP Ennio Morricone 1928 - 2020

Me and 2.6 million other people are off to watch or rewatch Once Upon a Time in the West.

Today the world takes a huge bow of sadness .. Ennio Morricone passes away. He left us with gorgeous memories of storytelling & beauty.

"Inside the dusters there were three men. Inside the men there were three bullets."

When Jill's theme starts, I cry. On command. It's such an amazing movie, such an amazing score. Thanks for your video!

RIP Ennio Morricone - his work is and will always remain beyond legendary and divine.

man, I need to see Once Upon a Time in the West again

I loved the music in, "Once Upon a Time in America." So beautiful. So poignant.

I’ve always wanted the theme of “Once Upon a Time” to play at my funeral. I cry every time I listen to it...

Great video. I've never seen Once Upon a Time in the West, but that last scene when Charles responds with, "Someday." Man that got me. Added to the list for sure.

The Good The Bad and The Ugly + Once Upon a Time in the West have 2 of the best soundtracks in the history of cinema.

My all time favorite director! His partnership with Morricone was dynamite!

Came back to this piece after learning that Maestro Ennio Morricone passed away today. Thank you for helping me pay tribute to one of the greatest composers of our times through your video.

3:28 damn that was smooth

This is my father's favorite movie. The family joke was his pleasure at the patience of Leone and his, to some, monotonous attention to detail. I am now a composer. Great video.

Once Upon A Time In the West is my favourite movie.

This one resonated so much! There are lots of moments in my life, whether alone or in a crowd where the moment I start playing music through my headphones, everything around me suddenly begins to feel cinematic!

All thosw 4 movies are masterpieces. Is incredible how morricone never got an oscar for those scores!!!

Ennio’s composition from cinema paradisio is my favorite movie score of all time .

4:49 this scene with this music absolutely tears my heart out every time. Ennio Morricone's music is one of the most powerful and emotional experiences, and I am yet to see a film he scored where the film wasn't elevated to another level simply due to his music. His score to De Palma's Casualties of War is equally heartbreaking.

The theme of Frank during this film, especially at the final duel, is nothing short of cinematic and musical perfection.

As a fan and an admirer of Ennio Morricone, I really appreciate this video.

Don't forget Tonino Delli Colli who photographed all those beautiful faces!

The line under "all of you" came in time just when I was reading that part. This guy syncs reading pace to his edits too. Amazing.

I've sadly never seen Once Upon a Time in the West in full length as an adult (only bits and pieces here and there as my father watched it during my childhood) yet, but I have listened to Leone's soundtrack numerous times. Listening to the film's eponymous score (the Once Upon a Time in the West theme) during that scene you've shown where the woman realized her family wasn't coming off the train nearly brought me to tears. I am purchasing Leone's Dollar anthology off eBay right now :)

Your videos about those masterpieces are growing into masterpieces themselves. This was beautifully edited.

This scene and the one where Eli Wallach runs in the cemetery (The good the bad and the ugly) are in my opinion the very best Leone & Morricone partnership. They are both perfect in suspense, timing and music score. Unforgettable.

"Once upon a time in the west", stunningly beautiful!

That song from Once Upon A Time in the West is the most beautiful song I have ever heard in my life.

Sergio Leone - an all time genius.

Super video mate. I never knew this, when I rewatch the movie ill have a whole new perspective!

I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks Once Upon A Time In The West is Leone’s best film. The soundtrack is devastatingly beautiful, the cinematography is phenomenal, and Henry Fonda & Charles Bronson’s performances are some of their best, in my opinion. Easily the best Western ever made: nothing will top it.

YES !!! THIS IS REAL THEATRE IN FILMMAKING PROCESS !!! LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS !!! ENNIO !!! SERGIO !!! GENIUS AND GENIUS !!!

I’ve seen The Movie on the silver screen, on television, video, dvd and bluray. Maybe 15 times or more during my life. As a child, a teenager, twen and as an adult and I never tire of it. If you never saw it your life is not complete.

To this very day, every time I hear Ecstasy of Gold I get goosebumps.

I love that scene at the train station and have every since I first saw it as kid. So much going on there.

That scene from the beginning of Once Upon a Time in the West, where the camera lifts up over the train station to show a wide shot of the town while the music is coming to a crescendo is just absolutely perfect.

Leone’s best movie is The Good, The Bad And The Ugly from 1966. The soundtrack alone makes it one of the best movies ever of cinema’s history, truly is a masterpiece. Add to this a simple yet brilliant script, with beautiful footage from stunning long shots to close ups, you get an epic movie. Simply amazing.

This episode made me cry and I wasn’t ready for it yet I am so grateful. Thank you

Once upon a time in Cinema.. There was an artist called Sergio Leone

After a long day of work, watching Nerdwriter and having a tea is the most delightful part of my day! Thank you NerdWriter for everything you have made and done! I love your work and how you have gave me such an appreciation for art in all forms!

Once upon a Time in the West. Man, I love this movie and its brilliant score is one of the few cinematic scores I have in my playlist and listen to almost daily. I didn't know Leone made the actors listen to it on set but when you look at the scenes now, you can see it.

Ugh, you just Had to do Once Upon a Time in the West. One of my all time favorites. The music at 6:00 (her theme) makes me want to ball my eyes out. It just hits you.

Wow, that was amazing. The scene you showed of her getting off the train with the music on set was mind blowing. Thank you

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - main characters, with a different instrument used for each one: flute for Blondie (Man with No Name), Arghilofono (Ocarina) for Angel Eyes, and human voices for Tuco.

Oh my goodness. The beauty of the facial close ups with the music. I now have an understanding of why I felt the way I did when viewing those films. Thank you!

I never watched a Leone movie, but this video almost made me cry with the final scene. Amazing.

4:30 that sequence is so sad and beautiful.

You brought all those memories back, thank you for taking the time to showcase this great movie. it will always be a masterpiece for me, the soundtrack, the director, the film score, the actors and how the movie was made, thank you so much, appreciated

I just finished watching Once Upon a Time in America this morning!!! This is beyond perfect timing.

Ken Russell did this too, playing Stravinsky during the orgiastic sequences of The Devils!

Skywalker scene gave me goosebumps. That music mannn

I always wondered how at the final shootout, Henry Fonda throws his jacket down perfectly with the music. OUATITW is my all time favorite movie and I wish more people made video essays about it. I jumped when I saw this thumbnail bwaha

Revisiting this post Morricone's death. Maestro!

Someone very wise once said: *"The picture is there to touch your mind, music touches your soul".*

RIP Ennio, your music continues to inspire

That scene where she gets off of the train only to find no one waiting for her and enter the town is one of my favorite movie moments of all time and you completely conveyed here why.

When I was 13 and wanted to direct movies I had this idea. I never thought someone would have actually already done it. Props to you Mr. Leone.

You are a Blessing In my life and lives of so many students with your soothing voice, Mr.Nerdwriter. I wish you saw this.

“Part of the reason we listen to music is to soundtrack our experiences.” For as long as I’ve had access to portable music that’s exactly what I’ve done. Every car ride, every train journey, every walk home, I’ve carried the voices of the orchestra and their composers with me. I’ve let them cascade over the landscapes flying past outside the window, watched the hills and the mountains and the bumps in the road dance with the strings and the drums. I’ll often sit at the window in the evenings and let the music and the changing cloudscape melt into each other and let the score flow out into void of the night’s sky. I honestly feel my life and my memories have been enriched by the presence of music. I’m forever chasing that feeling of living inside the cinema screen, if only for a few minutes. For me it’s where things make the most sense. That unspoken language. Thank you so much for this essay. It brought tears to my eyes when you described how Thomas Newman’s music brings you into that harmonious place, because he’s the one composer, above all others, who’s sound and “voice” has carried me though all these years. He’s the one who always comes to mind first when this subject comes up. His work lifts my soul and moves it like nothing else I’ve ever known. I honestly can’t truly describe how powerful it is, but then again I don’t need to. It’s wonderful to know you take the same comfort from it that I do :) And thank you, you’ve inspired me to go watch Leone’s films. They’ve always been on my list, but now I have to watch them.

It's moments like where the text disappears behind a building (3:26), that make me truly admire @Nerdwriter1. He puts time and effort into his video essays, he will wait to release something until every possible detail looks amazing and transitions are as seamless as possible. It's inspiring to all young filmmakers like myself. Thank you.

You truly take art appreciation to another level. This channel has long been a favorite of mine & my only selfish complaint would be that I'd like more of these great videos. Keep up the great work sir.

8:25 That underline was perfectly timed, well played.

I prefer the version of that scene from Chariots of Fire with Rowan Atkinson in it. ;P

Once upon a time in the west is fantastic. The begining with them waiting bottled a dynamic tension and that fly on the man's face was amazing. That movie every time I watch it never loses it's grandeur. Great video as you do. Best day & Best wishes to you & yours.

Thank you so much for this Evan! Once Upon a Time in the West is my all time favourite film. And the final duels from this and For a Few Dollars More are my favourite scenes in cinema.

Off topic: Claudia Cardinale was a tremendous babe.

RIP Ennio, you were a legend.

Music on movies are always emotional connection with me. This movie is special due to its music and the close up of faces; actors introspection. Profound emotions!

In the final GBU shootout scene when Blondie puts the stone on the ground, I love that broken minor 9th chord. It sounds like death has just arrived to claim a soul.

Music is an universal language. It's knows no barrier.

another beautifully pieced together video dude, thank you

Once Upon a Time in the West is a goddamn masterpiece. All of his movies are, but that one in particular is just something else. Once Upon a Time in America is also a stunning piece of work.

My first time watching your channel. This review embodied many of my long time personal feelings towards movie music. Fantastic video and edit. I was brought to tears by the end.

This was one of your best! I know how I'm spending my afternoon now. Time to binge watch Spaghetti westerns!

Holy Crap...I'm still feeling a tingling feeling down my spine. That was wonderful. Thank you

I have seen this movie a lot of times (and listened to the score countless times), but only now did I realize that the scene you showed is perfectly mirrored in the final scene. It even plays the same music. The difference at the end even if it's the same music it now sounds hopeful. Perfect.

I love that you are so used to making these videos that it must not be too difficult to start and finish a new video. I was making a film and I was motivated to complete for a few days and when I ran into some problems, that motivation suddenly dissapeared. I don't know how to get it back. I've just got to do it. All of you youtubers are such hard workers, starting and finishing projects, doing things. Anyway, don't stop is what I wanted to say.

RIP Ennio Morricone.

Once Upon A Time in The West's score is the most stirringly emotional soundtrack ever composed. It's ineffable - - - needing to be listened to be understood.

Once Upon a Time in the West is one my favourite movies ever. This video reminds me of another beautiful scene from the film "The Eagle has Landed". There is a scene where Liam (Donald Sutherland) is parachuted into a small idyllic village to assist the German troops. After landing he walks through the green meadows before reaching his destination. This scene is just a few seconds long but the scenic landscape and the soothing music make it extremely captivating.

Leone + Morricone = a once in a million years match made in heaven. The only contemporary director I know of that comes even close to this is Edgar Wright.

The thing I love about great movies is their great score. Unfortunately, TV series frequently miss the mark or don't even try to have a compelling score altogether. NBC's Hannibal however had a fantastic score. It was haunting, jarring, and was able to tell a story alongside dialogue- or more often, instead of dialogue. I totally nerd out about Hannibal's soundtrack, I would absolutely die if you did as well!

Now I'll go listen to Indio's watch theme from "For a few dollars more"

God the scores from Once Upon a Time in the West, The Good the bad and the ugly, a few dollars more, and once upon a time in America are amazing

Oh man, i could always burst out into tears because of the beauty of the scene beginning at 5:26 until 6:46. all in one shot in perfect harmony with the music, and when the camera moves up upon the roof ... it's nothing else than pure poetry. It's my favorite scene of the whole movie and that you are showing exactly this is confirming that you have the sixth sense for movie art. Extraordinary.