Hope everyone is keeping well? Works really busy, my Ciao time is very limited.... pretty much non ...
Hope everyone is keeping well? Works really busy, my Ciao time is very limited.... pretty much non existent! ;0(
Member since:30.12.2005
Reviews:98
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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 Director / Movie Maker Sergio Leone. He wanted to 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 good guy / bad guy Cheyenne - you decide?
The feature runs for 159 mins and the first 30-40 minutes takes some time establishing the plot, which drove my Mother to insanity and then sleep(!), but I thoroughly enjoyed the scene setting and humour intertwined within the story telling. The films plot is very clever
and becomes more apparent as it progresses to it's conclusion, except for "Harmonica", whose intentions do not become completely crystal until the finale of the film - Western magic!
The soundtrack is also carefully selected and orginal in it's compilation, with one haunting female vocal track used predominantly throughout the film to tremendous effect.
The film opens with 3 cowboys waiting at a deserted - except for the station operator - train station. It is evident from the start that these 3 chaps aren't to be messed with and in typical western style have no white clothing to signify good. Thankfully for the station operator, these gringos aren't all that bad and spare his life, but they have no intention of sparing the life of the arrival due at the platform. This opening scene is comical in it's detail, as one cowboy is harrassed by a fly as they patiently await the arrival of the train. This harrassment probably lasts a full 4-5 minutes, with the fly comically trapped inside his gun at one stage !! (Well, I thought it was humorous!).
So, who are they waiting for? The answer is Harmonica (Charles Bronson), so called because he plays a harmonica at the most inappropriate times i.e. when there is a shoot up, or just before and after a shoot up. It's quite a haunting sound throughout the film, but continually warns the viewer of his presence, even when he's not visually on screen, which I felt was a very clever twist on the screenplay. Sergio is a master of the art, and there are many great examples of his masterful arts displayed throughout the film, along with his other works, most noticeably "Once Upon A Time in Amercia" ~ possibly the greatest gangster movie ever (Yes, and that does include The Godfather). But, the gangster movies come later.
Who have they been sent by? That is one of the core themes of the film, as they have donned outfits that are worn by the men of Cheyenne. A classic tale of a set-up and cover up? That seems even more apparent as the film progresses. Whilst I won't completley spoilt the conclusion to this opening scene, I have already indicated that Mr Bronson is still around come the finale of the film.
A critical theme throughout the film is the development of the rail road, which "crazy" McBain, has done his homework on. Again, I won't spoil the plot too much as things become apparent much later in the film, with a lot of scene setting in the first half hour, but Mr McBain is a typically fiery, ginger haired, Irish man who lives on a ranch some distance with the most densley populated local time known as Flagstone, where the rail road currently passes through.
It is McBain that the film now switches to and concentrates upon, as he and his 3 children - who are easily recognisable as his because of the ginger hair and multitude of freckles - prepare for the arrival of his new wife and their new "adopted" Mother. However, as they prepare for this home-coming, disaster strikes and the whole family is murdered by cowboys. These cowboys also don clothing only worn by men of Cheyenne, and there sets another theme for the film, whereby Cheyenne and his men are tracked by the Sheriff and his men.
The beautiful Claudia Cardinale, plays the part of the newly widowed homesteader, who has travelled from a "big city" in the west to be with her husband and new famliy. She has a rather sordid past (Yes, high class hookers existed in the West too!), which she is keen to forget, but one or two people know more than they initially let on.
Throughout the film, you are always guessing how and where Harmonica fits into it all. He, in some instances, appears to be involving himself in issues that have nothing at all to do with him. Is he chasing the woman I ofetn questioned ... Well, if he is, he's taking a mightly long time making a move, but the sexual chemistry seems to be there? (I'd have crashed and burned long before him!).
It's an intirguing tale from the wild west and one of the best films of it's genre, from a true master of the genre.
~~~~~ Extras ~~~~~
The DVD itself is a double box set, which provides documentaries and interviews with the stars on the 2nd disc, along with location shots - then and now, a production stills gallery, cast profiles and the original trailer ... all of which are a treat for the avid collector. Originally made in 1968, both the picture and sound quality, as you would expect from a digitally remastered film, belie the films years.
~~~~~ Cost ~~~~~
The film is widely availble for purchase in high street stores and on many internet sites, such as Amazon, ebay, and the likes. Expect to pay no more than £19.99 new.
Running Time: circa 165 Minutes
I watched the film 3 times over Christmas I enjoy it that much, despite having a DVD collecton of over 130!
Pictures
Once Upon A Time In The West
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1941 - Westerns - Director: Fritz Lang - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Randolph Scott, Dean Jagger, Barton MacLane, Robert Young
Production Year: 1976 - Westerns - Director: Irvin Kershner - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Gale Sondergaard, Geoffrey Lewis, William Lucking, Jorge Luke, Richard Harris
Really surprised some people only rated this "SW" because all the info seems to be there. Maybe not listing what Charles Bronson has for breakfast is a down-point, eh?
I was more than pleased to give this a "VH" - Although I like westerns I don't think of them immediately if I'm buying a DVD. I used to love the old spaghetti's some years back and I'm sure I'd take to this like a fish to water.
Especially liked the explanation behind Leonne's intentions with the film. Good stuff.
Out of interest, have you reviewed "Once upon...." yet? I watched it again a few weeks ago and it's absolutely timeless! If you haven't, I'd love to read your views on it. Take care sunshine! Catch ya soon!
darkangelwing 10.04.2006 23:52
Great review i loved this western Bronsons best i feel and Fonda rocked i think the significance of the harmonicha was mesmerizing(-:
Sergio Leone had to be persuaded to return to the Western forOnce Upon a Time in the ... more
Westafter the success of his "Dollars" trilogy. The result is a masterpiece that expands the vision of the earlier movies in every way. It could as easily have been c...
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Sergio Leone had to be persuaded to return to the Western forOnce Upon a Time in the ... more
Westafter the success of his "Dollars" trilogy. The result is a masterpiece that expands the vision of the earlier movies in every way. It could as easily have been c...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Sergio Leone's monumental epic 'Once Upon A Time In The West' ranks among the five or six ... more
all-time Western masterpieces. The picture itself is as big as its Monument Valley locations as grand as its fine distinguished cast. Henry Fonda plays the blac...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Riveting, four main stars, the score, the direction, where shall I stop? Disadvantages: None for me, although it's long and slow, which may not be your cup of tea
![Once Upon a Time in the West -- Special Collector's Edition (2 discs) [DVD] [1969]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78518950.jpg "Once Upon a Time in the West -- Special Collector's Edition (2 discs) [DVD] [1969]")
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