Once Upon a Time in the West (15)

Rather often the opinion about a film between a critic and the general public differs quite a bit. But not with this movie. Critics and general public have given it high scores and have done so for years. Except of course Mr. Jenkins. And if Mr. Jenkins calls the film over cooked while this is so clearly one of the features that launches this movie into the higher spheres, I can only conclude one thing. Mr. Jenkins you are in the wrong profession.

Rather often the opinion about a film between a critic and the general public differs quite a bit. But not with this movie. Critics and general public have given it high scores and have done so for years. Except of course Mr. Jenkins. And if Mr. Jenkins calls the film over cooked while this is so clearly one of the features that launches this movie into the higher spheres, I can only conclude one thing. Mr. Jenkins you are in the wrong profession.

I saw it on network TV circa 1970 (about age 14) and it instantly became my favorite film. After having seen many more movies since then it is still one of my favorites. Any one who has more than a superficial interest in films should watch it and decide for themselves how they feel about it. Few would disagree that the cinematography is outstanding, the acting is great, the story unpredictable, the script above average. Obviously many find it too long, but I wouldn't mind if it was longer. I like its use of western movie cliche's, especially as they are mixed up in a way that creates a unique story. I would love to see it on big screen.

Really? Just 3 out of 5? I understand that you like it, but this is the best western ever made. No doubt. Henry Fonda plays a great out of character role here and Charles Bronson as a newcomer to the movie business plays a beautiful role. How can you not rate this 8 out of 5? You really are one messed up mind.

No surprise that a Time Out reviewer wants to make a name for himself. But then I felt the original earlier reviews a little over the top. Yes, this is cinema but it is not Leone's best film, just perhaps his greatest effort. Bronson is sadly not a Leone type, even though Leone wanted him for the earlier Dollars trilogy. Nevertheless there is so much to enjoy visually and the score is both statesmanlike and moving. Cardinale is wonderful as is Fonda and Robards. This is truly a great Western and below is another review only recently written in Time Outs 'Best Ever Western' list. "The sweep of modernity through the Wild West has never been so pitiless, nor, in Leone’s vision, more terribly glorious". ALD Not much together ness within the ranks then?

How wrong this Time Out review for Once Upon A Time In The West is. Whoever wrote the review at the top of this page clearly needs to strive for a better taste in westerns if they think this is overcooked. I believe this still is the best westen ever made and it stands alone as a masterpiece of sight and sound. Who cares about head and heart when the filming has been done with such love and clever skill. A superb masterpiece.

Legendary film. One of the best spaghetti-western ever made with "Django" and "The Great Silence"

It's very overrated fim.

Really, there should be 7-10 stars for rating movies (I'd rate "Once upon a Time in the West" as either 6/7 or 8/10) -- 5 stars simply don't allow enough for complexity. I suppose that what really hooked me into this movie was the opening sequence while the opening credits were "rolling". One thing that did surprise me was the casting of Charles Bronson (seeing as he was simply outshone by both Henry Fonda and James Robards). I like the unfocused shots that are dispersed throughout the movie -- they become increasing focused (almost serving as an allegory, really) and culminate in a musical crescendo that is CLEARLY influenced by Janet Leigh's shower scene in "Psycho". And -- dare I say it -- just as effective as well. The motto of the movie as the camera backs away to display and expose the entire town might be: "Life goes on, and we are remarked upon little once we exit the stage." I'm surprised that this spaghetti western is as good as it is.

This film has haunted me from my youth, 'Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid'...not so much.