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Recently seen on The Movie Channel, this was Sergio Leone's final western, having said that he had nothing more to top The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, done earlier. That spaghetti western was the ultimate saga according to many, and was a box office success.
Leone's uncut film versions, shown in Europe ran long, approx 3 hours. The US versions were cut to about 140 minutes; a lot of cutting. As such, Once Upon a Time was successful in European theaters, but not in the US.
In hindsight, this is a great saga revolving around the western railroad building period. All characters, relationships, and action revolve within that bigger story.
At first view, this seems a bit corny, with Leone's operatic hold on facial expressions and terse, sparse language, but once you understand the genera thing, this really pulls together as a bittersweet story of several main characters -- Claudia Cardinale, Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, and Jason Robards. This film has 3 independent male leads, not linked as a group or gang. Bronson was a replacement for Eastwood, who did the original Leone western trilogy, but turned this one down. Judging from his role here, Bronson could well have been a better choice for the earlier Leone westerns. Leone agreed to do this last one because he had contractual access to Fonda. A lot of footage is spent on sustained closeups of the actors' faces, so Fonda's swung the deal. I would have thought Cardinale's big eyes (yes, eyes) would have sealed it.
As in the earlier films, the Morricone musical score is haunting. It fits perfectly with the bittersweet saga aspect. A very beautiful and moody soundtrack.
The movie was selected in 2009 by the Library of Congress as worthy of permanent inclusion. It is now held in high regard, although it was a financial bust in the US. IMO, this is one of the top westerns of all time; worth seeing if you find it floating out there on cable.
...I looked for a showing that I could set the dvr to. Nothing coming up in the next two weeks. So I searched ebay and found that there is a Blu-Ray available with both the 'restored' version as well as the 'theatrical release'.
$10.28 (free shipping) from ebay seller "Blow it outa here".
Fast delivery.Having received the BRD, and getting ready for my first viewing, I opted for the restored version.(165 minutes or ~2 hrs 45 minutes)
This is, truth be told, the first time I've sat through this film. I'm not entirely certain why. Perhaps it was that no one else I knew was overtly positive about it. But now, I have to say I'm a fan of this film.
The real star of this film is its creator and director, Sergio Leone.
Set in a time of United States history just after the civil war, when railroads were only just reaching across to the Pacific. Hubs of commerce were only just starting to pop up along the path of the steam powered trains.The director tells his story through the camera close-ups on his characters. We learn their motivations by seemingly being able to see through their eyes into the depths of depravity within their souls. This is the truly remarkable aspect that sets apart this film from any other wild west movie I've seen.
The restored version (unrated) had some scenes in it that push the boundaries of the then new ratings system. Ime, it is not quite an R rating yet not far from it. Claudia Cardinale entrances the viewer. Over time we learn that she is a pragmatic beauty that will use every physical asset she owns to both survive, and get what she wants. And she wins the hearts of more than a few hardened criminals in the process.
Finally, about 3/4 through the film we understand what all the ruckus is about. The deaths of innocents. All the killing. All the fighting. It is about the future and certain tracts of land. Who owns it. And who is willing to murder for it.
This movie really stands apart. Leone tells his story through his characters. And the characters aren't all that talkative. We learn through their actions who they really are and what they are about.
The cast is interesting. Leone must have chosen all of the characters by the unique character that can be seen in their faces. The best of the best from central casting. Jack Elam is unforgetable. Watching him deal with a fly that persists in exploring his face while he waits, hands on weapons, for the train to arrive. Woody Strode. A character actor that has been unforgettable in many roles, yet gets less credit than he deserves. Henry Fonda. Keenan Wynn. Charles Bronson. Jason Robards. Through the lens wielded by Sergio Leone, and assisted by an artful Hollywood make-up team, they all seem to be from the same mold.
This film is art.
-Steve
Edits: 06/18/16 06/18/16
A film buff turned me on to this film. Although excellent and rather spectacular I mentioned to him that it was very choppy, strangely put together. Now that you say they cut half the film out it makes a lot more sense. Love to see the real version. I'm a big fan of revenge. I'll have to look for the full version. Don't leave out " The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" in your quest for the best western. If not the best certainly the bravest. Tweaker
I love this movie, beautifully shot. The opening scene 15 minuets with minimal dialog is amazing. I have to disagree about Bronson I think he was Eastwood lite in this movie you could tell the roll was made him and Bronson was a second choice, not that Clint is a better actor I just like his monotone and squint better.
"Trying is the first step towards failure."
Homer Simpson
Edits: 06/04/16
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and he did it frighteningly well. I saw this in VN and the projectionist ran the reels 1, 3,2,4,5, and I didn't know the difference until years later. That's mean epic.
The opening sequence at the train station is amazing!
When I think of this movie I am reminded of watching Robert Kennedy saying on TV couple of weeks before the assassination that the political situation was like The Good the Bad and the Ugly. Makes me sad every time I hear this movie mentioned.
Bill
...
Most of it pretty much wasted on an 11 year old.
Have seen it three times since.
Gets better each viewing, or at least I appreciate it more each time.
Fonda's character is a major surprise.
Want to see it again on the big screen some day.
Truly a classic. Everything about it is ... perfect.
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
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