Once Upon A Time In The West (Collector's Edition)

Advantages: Stunning scenery, stars Henry Fonda, clipped dialogue
Disadvantages: Long, lack of dialogue may not appeal to everyone,

...this is also evident in Once Upon a Time in the West. Bronson plays the part of "Harmonica", a mysterious harmonica-playing stranger with a long-held lust for revenge in his heart, a lust which is sated at the climax of the film in an unexpected plot twist. Befriending Jill, he helps her to obtain retribution against Frank and Morton, but for reasons of his own as much as for her sake. Although I do not intend to quote huge passages of script, I ...
...running through the soundtrack to Once Upon a Time in the West is minimalism: as the film is characterized by arid, empty landscapes, long silences and little dialogue, so the soundtrack matches this in its bleak, austere feel. Most tracks are very simple with few instruments the and include the disturbing, discordant "Man with a Harmonica" with the same few notes played over again on a harmonica, the melancholy, wordless female vocal of the opening ... Read review

Advantages: Too Many To Mention!!
Disadvantages: Beware of shorter prints, go for the full 165min version

...Fonda! Once Upon A Time in the West, is the best "western" of all time, only Eastwood's 1992 "Unforgiven", comes close. Even if you're not keen on westerns you really should take a look at this, if only for the music & the pure majesty of the camera's eye!! ... Read review

Advantages: Waaay to many.
Disadvantages: Nada.

...The set detail in Once Upon a Time is just as prolific as Jeunet's films: The deco of Morton's train carriage reeks of dirty money and western whims - plush, brushed red and gold velvets hanging in an abundance of decadent glory. Mac Bain's homestead is a finely detailed replica of a recent immigrant - memories of home, cluttered with childish things and sprinkled with tenderness at the thought of the arriving new bride. Outside of the sets, the ...
...little thing I enjoy in Once Upon a Time, is the bizarre theme tunes that introduce us to the character - and then let us know when that character is lurking around the corner. The unforgettable wailing harmonica tune (and all its crescendos and descents) are thanks to Leone's partnership with Ennio Morricone - I love the music from this film sooo much, I bought a Western themes compilation tape (what the hell am I admitting to this for?). *Other ... Read review

Advantages: Too many to list.
Disadvantages: One or 2 scenes are a little long.

***BACKGROUND*** When Sergio Leone launched his now famous 'Dollars' trilogy in 1964 with 'A Fist Full of Dollars' he started a cult which spawned over 200 of the so called Spaghetti Westerns. However, Leone remained the man and, in most critics eyes, remained the master of the genre. The first 'Dollars' film was quickly followed by 'For a Few Dollars More' in 1965 and 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly' in 1966, effectively launching the career of ...
...After the success of 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly' and Eastwood's decision to begin directing his own films, Leone moved away from the Old West and ventured into other areas such as the gang wars of the 1920s with 'Once Upon a Time in America'. But the film world and the cinema goers wanted more Westerns from Leone and, in 1967, he reluctantly agreed to produce just one more. Leone turned to Sergio Donati for the screenplay, who had, uncredited, ... Read review

Advantages: Digitally Remastered with Widescreen version enhanced for 16:9
Disadvantages: Not for those with short attention spans

THIS HAS BEEN UP-DATED AS IT WAS ONE OF MY "POOR" FIRST REVIEWS.... "Once Upon A Time In The West" - Collectors Edition DVD During my time at High School and at University, I seemed to blank out from my memory that I thoroughly enjoyed Westerns as a young child, until I re-discovered some culture in my mid-20's! This DVD is a must own for all fans of the Western and was the final curtain call for the genre, as was the intention of world acclaimed ...
...move on from making Westerns to making gangster films, but felt he needed to make one final movie drawing upon all aspects of the Western, which he has embodied within this masterpiece, and given it one final lasting mark and tribute. The film captures terrific period performances from Charles Bronson as "Harmonica", Claudia Cardinale as the strong willed "Damsel" in distress, Henry Fonda as the ultimate "baddy" Frank, and Jason Robardia as rogue ... Read review