Once Upon a Time in the West Review - Off The Shelf Reviews
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- Опубликовано: 11 окт 2024
- This week Gary and Iain review and discuss, Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) by Director, Sergio Leone. Starring, Claudia Cardinale, Charles Bronson and Henry Fonda.
Sorry for the annoying cover over the film clips, but studio copyright claims are being a real pain and this saved us from future strikes.
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This film is an absolute classic of the Western genre, Charles Bronson as the harmonica badass out for revenge. Henry Fonda as the ruthless... evil villain. A superb score and supporting cast....a perfect movie all round.
That opening scene at the train station is one of the most hauntingly majestic scenes ever shot. The intertwining of slow shots combined with that sparse sound mix is pretty much perfect. There is something sinister in the craggy faces of character actors like Woody Strode and Jack Elam intercut with close-ups and long shots, the tension is palpable. Sergio Leone truly was a master of the craft.
One of my favourite films of all time. A selfish opinion, it's the greatest western film and one of the greatest films ever made in cinematic history! Just sheer brilliance and an absolute masterpiece!
To me, this Western will always have a special place in my heart...truly a masterpiece. If only Hollywood had visionaries like Leone these days.....
Great film by Leone, every shot, the composition, the actor's performances, the music, are all well crafted, and more than telling a history is telling an epic legend. One of the best films of all times
Grandioso e iconico film di Sergio Leone e la straordinaria e meravigliosa musica del mitico e leggendario Ennio Morricone 💯
One of my favorite films ever! Thanks, Off The Shelf Reviews!
Easily one of the finest written, photographed western ever made. I watch it at least once a year and every watching i find something else i missed previously. Bit of trivia, Al Mulock one of the gang with Woody Strode & Jack Elam at the beginning jumped out of his hotel window with full costume on including duster and stetson after the making of this.. As he was on the top floor he killed himself outright. Keep up the reviews guys, some more oldies like this would be cool.
A masterpiece. And I didn't know he'd always wanted to make Once Upon a Time in America before this. It makes sense. I see this and that as two parts of a single film outline the birth of America. OUTIWest being the closing of the 'Wild West' and OUTIAmerica being the development of modern America with the Gangsters. They both circle on a group of male icons of each era and each has a female heartbeat dealing with this masculine violence. And there's a very similar shot in West to the key shot in America when De Niro is in the drug den and his final enigmatic smile, that mirrors a very similar shot in West. So one masterpiece connected with another masterpiece...this is Leone's one singular anthem to America. Incredible. It's a whole day of watching but watching one after the other in a sitting is the way I think Leone intended it.
Nice job men!
I’d like to add a few items that no one has yet to mention.
The final show down.
Pause at one of the distance shots of the area where the show down is about to take place.
It is shaped to form a bull ring or a jousting arena.
The filmmaker’s used rubbish, tree stumps, the McCane house, farm equipment etc. to create the circumference of the ring.
Harmonica is already in the ring waiting for the bull (Frank) to enter.
Frank, symbolically completes the circle when he drops his jacket on the ground.
There is a soaring musical cue at that moment as well. No one can leave the arena until one is dead.
Now pause at the moment when Harmonic stops when approaching Frank.
There is a crude looking “horse-like ” dead log that harmonica seems to be sitting.
Now pause as Harmonica raises his hand toward his chest. He appears to be holding a lance like a jouster or in the famous Picasso drawing of Don Quixote.
Is Frank akin to a windmill from that famous story?
One of opening shots in the film is a windmill and a lot of attention is focused on it. and it is when Harmonica first appears. He is expecting to meet Frank who is not there.
The lance symbolism is created by strategically placing a tall vertical piece of wood behind Harmonica
Symbolically these devices add a great deal more to the viewer on a subliminal level. We feel them but don’t initially know where these feelings are coming from.
There is no doubt that the arrangement of these props and scenery were deliberate and meant to be there by design.
Leone didn’t leave things to chance. If something is in a shot or a scene, Leone wanted it to be there for a good reason.
Was talking to my friends last night about how much I love Man with the Harmonica theme and next day the boys of Off The Shelf Reviews are like "Don't worry bro, we got what you need to inspire you to watch it again."
The 3 guys at the start are not members of Cheyenne's gang, they are part of Frank's gang, dressed in the 'uniform' of Cheyenne's gang to implicate Cheyenne.
Good you saved me the writing :)
Iain and Gary are so very well spoken and are rather familiar with the ins and outs of what makes a great film. They too both have extremely affable personalities and “riff” off of each other quite well and it’s clear that they have been homies for quite some time. Once again I say, this is by far the best movie review channel on YT and I’m extremely grateful that RUclips recommended it to me several months ago. Cheers and alohas, everyone, from the Island and State of Hawaii aka the Big Island.
Wait, wait, wait @21:50 I thought Frank and Cheyenne were rival outlaws and Frank thinks Cheyenne is in prison. So Frank's men wear dusters and leave a torn piece of duster behind at McBain's to frame Cheyenne's gang. Also, Cheyenne kills the men at Morton's train because they are Frank's gang and dared to wear dusters.
I honestly don’t blame Leone for being done with westerns after The Dollars Trilogy cause how can you possibly top that body of work? Especially with The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly being widely regarded as the GOAT of the genre. I’m glad Leone listened and made this film cause it’s really just as great.
He actually made another western after once upon a time in the west called a fistful of dynamite. A masterpiece too. It's not a traditional western about gunslingers but it's nevertheless a western. If you like Sergio Leone's movies and haven't seen it I highly recommend it. He made 7 movies. Haven't seen his first one but the rest are straight up masterpieces
@@HILAL19564 he also made My Name is Nobody.. it’s more of a comedy than a traditional western.
Great review guy. I watched this as a kid in the 80s and was blown away. Has been my favorite ever since.
I was lucky enough to watch Once Upon a Time in the West on a big screen few months ago, what an experience!
This movie is absolute masterpiece!
Man.....I envy you!
I was lucky enough to see it in the theater when I was 12 years old. Favorite for forever.
I envy you, brother. I was lucky enough though to see The Good the Bad and The Ugly at my university theater, so I count my blessings...lol. @@richeaton5752
Great review guys. This is a movie I would never have considered watching but now I will. Also Gary your final thoughts at the end of videos has really evolved. It’s really professional and it’s my favorite part of the view. Bravo for continuing to get better. I’ve enjoyed your reviews for years now but it’s still nice to see you still work at your craft.
I joined the Patreon and requested Sicario. I know it’ll be awhile before you get to it but I’m still very excited!
A masterclass in acting, cinematography, score and storytelling.
Usually Iain is gushing over every second woman in a movie for quite some time, apparently not now where it's justified, here he's holding quite back in comparission. :D
Claudia Cardinale just looks stunning, especially in this movie. She's probably the most beautiful actress ever. Fitting to an overall stunning looking movie. I'm not into western but I can appreciate this one for its atmosphere and visuals. This might be the first western I've ever seen, that may be one reason that I didn't get into the genre, next to Unforgiven this may very well be the best, and if you already have seen the best,...but that's a strech, most likely it's not my genre but if a movie of a genre is that good, it doesn't matter.
I usually don't like long movies, or games, it's a pet peeve I have with lots of movies and I wished this one also would be a bit tighter but that's about all.
If you want to see a different, more multi-layered side to Charles Bronson, I recommend checking out MAN WITH A CAMERA here on RUclips. I discovered it more recently and the idea of Charles in a TV series blew my mind.
masterpiece , in every level
Greatest western of all time as far as I'm concerned.
The fact that this movie didn't receive a best picture, and even worse, a best score Oscar nomination should be punishable by law
It's a travesty that Morricone only got a lifetime achievement award and then one for Hateful Eight when he had so many great scores over the years. And his fault was not being American. Heck, we wasn't even nominated for anything before Days of Heaven - an American film.
Incredible film! It's one of the films I didn't enjoy when I was younger due to how slow and long it felt but after rewatching it in my early 40s I absolutely fell in love with it
While not my favourite Leone western, this one will always be special for me; watched it the first time during the Easter of 2014 while on holiday with the family. It was just so sunny during that holiday and having that spring breeze blowing through the open porch doors as I watched this epic, there was no feeling like it!
Nice one Guys! I'd like to see you review Leone's Dollars Trilogy.
Iain giving Stacy Keach "Richard" vibes from John Carpenter's "Body Bags" today. 😉
THE WILD BUNCH. So violent that it was almost was Rated X. In the same vein as Once Upon a Time in the West.
Fun fact Sergio tried to get Clint Eastwood Lee van cleef and Eli Walach to all kill each other in opening scene they all refused to appear
And how about the title? Once Upon a Time in the West is an awesome title and it fits the story perfectly. I've seen this movie hundreds of times since I was a kid, but you've succeeded in making me want to watch it again.
Like a Fine Wine, this classic just got better with age.👌
This film is perfect. Tarantino couldn't even dream of making a film this good. Lee Van Cleef forged a career in Spaghetti Westerns after his work with Leone and was brilliant as Heroic characters too. IMO LVC and Franco Nero are the greatest SW Actors of all time, Clint is fine but they're better. LVC easily outshone Clint in For A Few Dollars More.
Great review, lads. If you're into westerns, can you tell me anything about The Big Country? I fell in love with the the theme tune from that film when I was a teen back in the late 70's. I've recently hit 60 and still never seen it; shit, I don't t even know what it's about. Is it worthy? (Although for me, given the chance I'd likely find it worth a watch just for the music). Strange that in all this time, I never got the chance to see it.
An underrated classic indeed! Great review guys! Btw, LOOOOOVE the long hair, Iain! THAT'S METAL!!!!
The trick in the opening scene is that the men are all spread out waiting for Harmonica. If Harmonica gets off the train they have him covered from 3 angles and there would be no way for Harmonica to beat them 1vs3. But Harmonica tricks the men into thinking he isn't on the train and as they leave they group back up into a tight little bunch making it possible for Harmonica to gun down all 3
it might be worth you guys checking out Gallowwalkers, an obscure horror western starring Wesley Snipes, that takes a lot of stylist influence from Once Upon A Time In The West.
Theres 2 gangs. Franks gang and cheyennes gang. They shot each other on mortons train offscreen. Thats how cheyenne dies.
You might want to watch some John Wayne, John Ford, Howard Hawkes style westerns like "Rio Bravo," or "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance." Some of them are pretty good.
If Iain really wants another movie with an incredibly long pre-credit opening he should check out Scream Blacula, Scream. I wouldn't even say no to a review on that one!
You're a good bunch of guys. We all appreciate you.
This may be my favorite film of all time and I am a lifelong film buff. I was about 6 years old when this film came out. My father liked movies and would take me to films I may have been a little too young for, Thank You Papa! Any the point is I was lucky enough to see this film in the Cinema on a truly big screen. And I have loved it ever since, great film.
It's not a strange thing to put this one on one. For me the the last 6 movies of Leone are the best movies ever made
And he made 7
Never got into older westerns but I might have to give a few a try. Open Range is one of my favorite modern westerns
Open Range was verry good. If you didnt see Dances with Wolves, you have something to do. Cold Mountain. Brimstone. Good Bad and Ugly
Havent watched you guys in quiet a long while, is Ian alright? He looks... kinda tired, not to say kinda sick. Or are we guys just getting old? Anyway, great to watch you guys again, and great quality review as always. Great to see you guys sticking to your roots and havent changed anything. Thank you lads!!!
Has Iain ever gone as It from the Adams Family for Halloween?
Sam Peckinpah's westerns are very good and somewhat "meta" too.
This film is way beyond the best western. Arguably it’s the greatest film ever made.
I watched this movie for the first time when I was 20, and it was SLOW.
At 40...at 40 it's an absolute classic. "Unforgiven" will always be the best western I've ever seen, but this one is easily top 5.
Yojimbo is based on another story (i don't remember which), that's why they were never able to sue Leone, he also confronted Kurosawa on this issue. He revealed this in an interview, he obviously knew the original story.
I don't know if these guys have ever reviewed this movie, but "The Dirty Dozen" would be a great one to watch as well.
Seeing Iain with his hair down was the most frightening jump scare I've ever experienced
Great stuff! This is one hefty spicy burrito extra everything! Claudia Cardinale is great in it!
Regarding to the nature of Harmonica, he could be the ghost of Shane
Love you guys, thanks for another great review, The Fonda stuff you said about Good guys is sooo true man, what an actor. Woody and Jack died far too quick. The Harmonica man theme my fave {and for the older viewers seeing Max in the bar from Hart to Hart makes me smile every time, "I look after them, and my names Max"}. I couldn't believe it when I found out Dario had been in westerns {Tenebrae, Suspira in my in my top 20}.
Sorry guy but I have to disagree with you. The guys at the train station and at the McBains are all franks men. Frank has them dress you like Cheyenne’s men so if they are seen, people will think they are Cheyenne’s men, he even said in the movie “ if people get dress up like me”. Plus in the tavern when when harmonica said he saw 3 men with the dusters on and inside the men were 3 bullets, Cheyenne look to one of his men to see if it was his men, and his man shake his head no. Just an FYI
That's 3 of my Top 5 reviewed on this excellent channel. I wonder if they'll ever get to my Top 2 films?
I wanna focus on the review, but I cannot look away from Ians magnificient hair.
One of the greatest movies ever made
Awesome review guys! 👊👊 Not only one of the greatest westerns, but also. one of the greatest movies ever made.
the Danny Boy song Maureen Mc Bain sings in her last moments was traditionally sung to funerals in Ireland. Such an amazing detail that she would sing her own passing just before the fatal moment.
However the song was written in 1913.........long after the time period of the film.
@@hennagaijin100 true :)
Since I went through my goth phase, this movie always makes me think of Fields of the Nephilim.
Brilliant western with a classic cast. Cheers guys
Dude Ian! you look like a retired musician from a hair metal band! 😅😅😂😂
Seen this movie a fair few times sine I was a kid (think 10+ times) and my palms still get sweaty during the final duel. Leone learned how to increase tension to unbearable levels.
This one is great. Good to see you guys picking up another magnificent movie.
Now have this in my q. Funny how things cycle around. I showed my girl Nancy Drew& Tje Hardy Boys recently. Loved it
Just watched this for the first time. Bronson with a harmonica shooting ppl. Awesome
...there's a hell of a lot more to this movie.
Do a review of Bertolucci’s 1900/Novecento.
Lionel Stander! you cant go wrong if you have Max from Hart to Hart in your movie.
Thanx guys for this! This film is a totally classic! 👍 you always make a review good! and funny when it's needed! 👍
One of the greatest films of all time! I love this movie!
A review from two cool dudes about one of the greatest westerns ever is always a treat! You should definitely take a shot at Sergio Corbucci's films like Django and the Great Silence. If you do, for the love of all Spaghetti Westerns, watch the Italian Dub with translated Subs. English dubs are trash in those films. They sound like Corbucci got the bottom of the barrel for his dubs while Leone got all the ripe pickings at the top.
Lee Van Cleef has range. In Sergio Leone films back to back.
Day Of Anger, The Grand Duel and The Big Gundown alone show what great range he had, these guys just tend to watch normie flicks (not a criticism just a fact) so they wouldn't necessarily realise that.
Hi @@Grandmastergav86. Thanks for your comment. To be honest I just watch 'normie' flick too. One of my friends told me how I'm not very cerebral (Which is true. I like splosions and car chases.). Luckily I have friends who drag me out of my comfort zone. Not that I've seen any Lee Van Cleef films outside the ones these guys have seen. I do agree with them about Charles Bronson though.
I LOVE THE HAIR IAN 😁! Please leave it down more often, you sexy beast 😍! And as always, thanks for the reviews! You two always have a nice banter, and I like to enjoy your videos when I can’t sleep on Thursday mornings 😜! Stay frosty!
shelf life! ❤
It's a shame Gary can't let his hair down too
Hank Fonda Forever
I own this one on DVD📀
This movie this movie. The best of the best, thank you for talking about a film so great. Fantastick.
GOAT.
sergio leone!!
Everybody talks about this one being so great... I never got it. The good, the bad, and the ugly is still his best.
have you guys seen the new jason statham film the beekeeper its decent bit far fetched but worth a watch!
*Turn Up!*
Although I've seen the film more than once, that opening scene alone convinces me that Once Upon A Time In The West (along with The Good, The Bad And The Ugly) are the two greatest westerns ever made. And both were directed by Sergio Leone. Sorry, John Ford.
I thinks is unfair to just call Leone's westerns the best westerns. For me they are the greatest movies ever made. Together with a fistful of dynamite and once upon a time in america are movie masterpieces lumping them just in the western genre doesn't do them justice. With once upon a time in america being a crime drama
@@HILAL19564 I wasn't trying to minimize their greatness, but I appreciate your point. Thanks for that.
@@stuartfishman1044 no, I know you weren't trying to minimize. I just read or hear a lot of people label this movie just in the western genre. True that it is a western. Or westerns but I think the movies are just great movies in general not only westerns
. That was what I just was trying to say
Lain has great hair for a 40 + year old
Just watched Conair recently that would be a great one! for you guys to do!!
Hey garry I want to share another simple copywrite bot bamboozle trick, try reversing your footage left to right so you can't read the text, that'll often do, I do think it was a wise move to remove the picture of you looking like one of the garbage pail kids.
This might be better than Good Bad Ugly
I don't know about that
big film
The Best Western.....nothing comes close!!!!
Easily, without doubt and absolutely, the best western ever made. End of transmission.
Sorry I thought this movie is boring , I understand that he is trying to build suspense , but minutes of the camera focusing on one actor on a scene for minutes at a time is boring to me, same is true in his last movie Once upon a time in America for me.
Aaaaaaaaaaah
Not a favourite of mine, but a great movie nonetheless
This movie is so perfect and brilliant, there is nothing I would change. I still prefer Duck You Sucker/A Fistful of Dynamite tho. Its such an unusual mix of western, social drama, comedy, bank heist/revange movie, It gets me every time I rewatch it.
Rush hour movie review 🍿🎬😎🫠🤩🎬🍿
Jesus! I see Jesus!!! No,it's...Ian! I see Ian Jesus!