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Once Upon a Time in the West
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Once Upon a Time in the West

1968
Drama
Action
2h 45m
Sergio Leone's monumental epic is as big as its Monument Valley locations, as grand as its fine, distinguished cast, as tough and bawdy as every kid imagines the Old West.
Directed by:
Sergio Leone Sergio Leone
Written by:
Bernardo Bertolucci Bernardo Bertolucci Dario Argento Dario Argento Sergio Leone Sergio Leone Sergio Donati Sergio Donati
+3 more
Starring:
Claudia Cardinale Claudia Cardinale Keenan Wynn Keenan Wynn Paolo Stoppa Paolo Stoppa Jason Robards Jason Robards Henry Fonda Henry Fonda Charles Bronson Charles Bronson Gabriele Ferzetti Gabriele Ferzetti Woody Strode Woody Strode Jack Elam Jack Elam Lionel Stander Lionel Stander Frank Wolff Frank Wolff Fabio Testi Fabio Testi
More
Genres:
Drama, Action, Adventure, Western
AKA:
C'era una volta il West
Countries:
Italy, USA
Languages:
English, Spanish, Italian
imdb More information at IMDb
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Once Upon a Time in the West

1968
Drama
Action
2h 45m
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Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 79.48% from 6097 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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lucluc
Rated 14 Oct 2008
95
98th
Super movie for western-moviefreaks. The last 8 minutes are incredible good. Henry Fonda played here a, sadistic, ice-cold badguy. Claudia Cardinal was in this movie a very beautiful woman. The music was also super. Great movie !!!
Rated 14 Oct 2008
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 25 Feb 2007
4
74th
Leone moves on from his quirkier, more rugged Dollars trilogy to film the Western as opera, an elegiac ode to a dying breed. The cinematography is vast and the characters are larger than life. Charles Bronson kicks ass as the archetypal gunslinger, Jason Robards turns in something unexpectedly emotional, and Claudia Cardinale does what she can with a role from a director who is not very good with women. But Henry Fonda, cast against-type, steals the show in the most vile role of his career.
Rated 25 Feb 2007
eveeluneveelun
Rated 14 Aug 2007
86
94th
An epic film that takes its time developing the story. I wish certain elements were fleshed out a bit more (e.g. Cheyenne during the end), while others could be trimmed; nevertheless, the movie is beautiful and magnificent, with gorgeous scenery and excellent performances (especially Fonda - what a great casting choice!), and the patience of the viewer is rewarded with some of the most iconic and brilliant scenes in the Western genre.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
madmanMadMan
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
96th
Pretty much "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly's" equal, this film is also both a deconstruction of the western myth and a homage to all of Leone's influences which shaped his short and magnificant career. Featuring another excellent Morricone score, this movie is as broad and epic as the old west itself, with a cast of characters covering all angles. If anything else this movie was the grand, awesome finale to Leone's western making although he would make one more western and assist with another.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
gravymaximusGravyMaximus
Rated 29 Jan 2008
95
98th
Absolutely gorgeous cinematography. Brilliant and appropriate score. Fantastic dialogue. Incredible acting. Within the opening fifteen minutes you know you're in for a fucking treat. I'm not sure what else I can say about this movie without feeling like I'm not even coming close to scratching the surface. It's a fucking classic in the truest sense. See it.
Rated 29 Jan 2008
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 24 Nov 2009
10
98th
Incredibly tense and gripping. The best way to describe this film is that it is badass. Everything is cool and it features one of the best opening scenes and endings I've seen. I loved the pace and the score was excellent. Excellent cast as well, Harmonica owns.
Rated 24 Nov 2009
actionbergActionberg
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
99th
The complex nature of each character in the film is intimately explored through their interactions with one another. It is the perfect blend of the styles of both the classic and neo western genres. The massacre at Sweetwater is quite possibly the greatest scene I have ever witnessed.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
farzanFarzan
Rated 19 Jul 2007
95
96th
I'm sorry to say this, but Once Upon A Time In The West is a lot better than the Good, The Bad, and the Ugly. I'm sorry. I just felt more of a spark with this film, and I am a sucker for Henry Fonda. The opening sequence is so well done, and all the way until the end, Leone works his magic and keeps all of his viewers so extremely captivated. I wasn't bored for one second, and Fonda is so menacing, I really loved him in this. Leone's best, a Masterpiece.
Rated 19 Jul 2007
magbMagb
Rated 06 Feb 2007
90
85th
I gave this a second chance, and I liked it much more the second time around. It lacks some of the energy of Leone's earlier work, but it makes up for that with a sort of maturity that's rare in the western genre. You have to immerse yourself in the story and accept that the movie is going to unfold extremely slowly -- almost Kubrick-slowly at times. If you can, it's very rewarding.
Rated 06 Feb 2007
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 23 May 2009
10
97th
Sergio Leone must of finished "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and thought to himself, how can I possibly top that? He than realized he is a genius and can do anything. The man could probably fly for all I know.
Rated 23 May 2009
andreasthauAndreasThau
Rated 09 May 2010
100
99th
The ultimate western. Sound, camera work, editing and maybe the ultimate western plot melt perfectly together in one of cinema history's most beautiful acomplishments. This film is one of the few must-sees out there.
Rated 09 May 2010
derbarneyDer_Barney
Rated 18 Apr 2008
95
99th
Genius. If you like Spaghetti Westerns and have the stamina for this epic, this one's very rewarding. Great moods and photography, some good performances without too much of the old "yada yada", outstanding score, gripping story arc with a memorable conclusion.
Rated 18 Apr 2008
chimpCHIMP
Rated 14 Aug 2007
94
98th
Less consistently entertaining than "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly"; it took me a few attempts to concentrate past the stunning opening sequence, but eventually the truely grand nature of the film's content becomes clear. Reclaim your attention span.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
arkadiaarkadia
Rated 13 Apr 2009
96
96th
Not as much fun as GBU since it moves as fast as a snail crawling in the desert, but it's more emotionally moving (both in the sense of "you might cry!" and "your feelings for the characters will shift"). My confusion hindered me the first time through, but it became much more meaningful on a 2nd viewing. The music is something I'll never get tired of.
Rated 13 Apr 2009
goremeatgoremeat
Rated 26 Apr 2011
90
95th
The cause for revenge revealed at the end is sooooo fucking intense that it makes the whole film work after the fact. Just when you feel like you're being subjected to too much time killing, it all resolves itself in the best way possible.
Rated 26 Apr 2011
jebJeb
Rated 29 Aug 2008
99
95th
One of the best western film ever made. Only one word can describe it : Epic! gorgeous cinematography and a brilliant score boosts this up even higher! Highly recommended!
Rated 29 Aug 2008
overratedoverrated
Rated 09 Jan 2010
90
97th
Modern audiences, myself included, miss out on the real impact of casting Henry Fonda as a child-killing villain. I watched this coming off the back of the spaghetti western trilogy and at the time thought the pacing was glacial. Now that I've digested it, I can appreciate just how much depth there is to everything, from the desert to the sky to the tension that permeates the screen. Claudia Cardinale is a goddess.
Rated 09 Jan 2010
jackdurdenJackDurden
Rated 31 Dec 2008
10
98th
A timeless Western masterpiece, that stands as Sergio Leone's best film. Wonderful performances that create memorable characters, amongst a classic score and amazing scenery make this a classic that all western and film fans need to see.
Rated 31 Dec 2008
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
74
50th
Tremendous disappointment after Good Bad Ugly. Bloated and boring, with little of GBU's flair or humor. Jason Robards is no Eli Wallach, Henry Fonda is no Lee Van Cleef, and Charles Bronson is no Clint Eastwood. The characters aren't as fun and the story isn't as compelling. The slow shots that in GBU built tension here only test my patience. Even the music pales in comparison. Really a major letdown.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
baggerBagger
Rated 07 Nov 2012
95
99th
This movie, I think, is largely fueled by in fact being the exact opposite of "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" - being binary where the other was complex, and complex where the other was simplistic, claustrophobic where the other was epic and vice versa. But most importantly this movie is a a sombre finale to the genre that Leone helped popularize and legitimize. And I say sombre, not bleak, because for all its purported nihilism I actually read the ending on a satisfied note. Thus ever after.
Rated 07 Nov 2012
optimusmikeOptimus_mike
Rated 26 Oct 2008
100
98th
No better western, GBU is bullshit compared to this movie.
Rated 26 Oct 2008
anilscnanilscn
Rated 01 Mar 2022
50
48th
Bana bir allahın kulu bu filmin amacının ne olduğunu açıklasın "aksiyon" dışında. Böyle hiçbir amaca hizmet etmeyen, anlamsız bir filmin imdbde en üst sıralarda işi ne. 90 ve üzeri puanlar ne alaka?
Rated 01 Mar 2022
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 18 Jan 2007
100
99th
I don't care what people think, this is Sergio Leone's masterpiece, a better film by far than The Good The Bad and The Ugly (though TGTBATU is a great movie). Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Jason Robards and Claudia Cardinale in a massive, epic Western that weaves 3 or 4 different stories into a 3 hour feast for your eyes. A huge production with hundreds of extras, giant sets and incredible location shots in Monument Valley. #9 in my all time top 10.
Rated 18 Jan 2007
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 26 Jan 2010
88
78th
Bigger than life. A real epic. I'm not crazy about the Leone-Eastwood westerns--too much machismo posturing. But this is something better.
Rated 26 Jan 2010
naikounaikou
Rated 27 May 2009
90
96th
My favorite soundtrack in any movie. Memorable characters and story, despite the slow pacing. I'm not a huge fan of Fonda as a villain, but that's a small thing in the face of the rest of the movie's brilliance.
Rated 27 May 2009
megladon8megladon8
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
97th
One of the finest films ever made. Sergio Leone proves once again that he was the undisputed king of westerns. Charles Bronson steals the show, even from Henry Fonda. Could very well be in the running for the most beautiful film ever.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
aflickeringAFlickering
Rated 16 Jul 2013
5
73rd
(SPOILER ALERT) civilisation's railroad is creeping up over the hills, and the old west totters on the brink of extinction. once upon a time... is the dream of one final, glorious swansong, where mythical anti-heroes fight it out across a sweeping backdrop, in a world where those who think with their heads are about to stop losing. left alive is a lady of civilisation, basking in the benefits of progress, and a hero of the old school, purpose extinguished, about to fade into obscurity forever.
Rated 16 Jul 2013
naurunauru
Rated 06 Jun 2013
4
1st
Useful if you are trying to fall asleep. Other than that, this is overlong to say the least, and moves at a snails pace. The harmonica playing the same tune over and over will grate on you like nails on a chalkboard, and the rest of the music is also relentlessly repetitive. Half the shots are unnecessary, the other half are five times longer than they should be.
Rated 06 Jun 2013
ytadelYtadel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
8
93rd
A gritty but still highly romanticized version of the Old West - it's the dusty, gunslinging Old West of legend, where civilization is bleeding in but men in cowboy hats still duke it out with only their pistols and their wits. It builds up crazy, simmering tension, has beautiful photography, and of course Henry Fonda's brilliant casting as the baby-blue-eyed sadistic sociopath, Frank. The quintessential classic slow-paced Western.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 03 Mar 2007
5
91st
Lacks the playful humor of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, but damned if it isn't a rousing epic. Leone and Morricone were never better, and Fonda gives perhaps the most memorable performance of his career.
Rated 03 Mar 2007
langelundLangelund
Rated 04 Oct 2008
100
99th
Every time I watch this, it leaves me with the feeling of never having seen a movie before. Easily one of the ten best movies of all time.
Rated 04 Oct 2008
barthalenBarthalen
Rated 06 Jul 2011
94
99th
Pure, unrestrained joy. That's what this movie rewarded me with. I was stimulated in all the right ways: transfixed to the screen because of the gorgeous vistas, I was giggling with glee when hearing the badass dialogue, and became hypnotized by the classic soundtrack. The story is always interesting (I loved the sense of this period being the end of an era) and the entire cast is flawless. I'm still tingly all-over. Pure, unrestrained joy.
Rated 06 Jul 2011
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 31 Jul 2009
92
98th
Visually astounding Western, with mega performances and a great score. This film is full of tension, atmosphere and cold-hearted viciousness.
Rated 31 Jul 2009
roofsrunnerroofs_runner
Rated 22 May 2011
91
87th
It is much deeper in psychology that the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly but for me personally it is less entertaining. The score is magnificent as well as script and cinematography. Fonda as a main villain looks unusual but just demonstrates his great talent as actor of different roles.
Rated 22 May 2011
immolationsimmolations
Rated 12 Dec 2009
100
98th
While its pacing is certainly slower than other Westerns, it has a unique sense of tension and unease. The combination of Morricone's score and some superb cinematography produces some of the best scenes I have ever seen. The plot appears confusing at first but slowly comes together and makes perfect sense. Honestly, it's a true masterpiece within its genre.
Rated 12 Dec 2009
dorkovskyDorkovsky
Rated 12 Jul 2008
4
38th
Really fucking boring.
Rated 12 Jul 2008
boxcarsBoxcars
Rated 12 May 2015
10
97th
Much of what makes this film a masterpiece is present from the opening scene: the masterful use of scenery and slow-burning atmosphere, the patient pace, the familiar while ambiguous characters (aided by the brilliant casting decisions)...this is one of the genre's finest.
Rated 12 May 2015
astralartistAstralArtist
Rated 23 Feb 2008
97
96th
Film making 101- Sergio Leone took his "spaghetti western" concept to art house levels with this operatic western epic, famous for casting Henry Fonda in the villian's role & Charles Bronson in the "hero's" role. Jason Robards, Claudia Cardinale, Frank Wolfe, Keenan Wynn & Leone's film acting regulars perform to Ennio Morricone's awe inspiring theme. The killing of Frank Wolfe's character's family & the introduction of Henry Fonda's character is one of the single greatest scenes ever filmed.
Rated 23 Feb 2008
spanksSpanks
Rated 25 May 2011
80
82nd
I'll probably have to re-watch this in a while as it didn't really engage me at all. I highly prefer The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.. The ending was pretty awesome, although that was expected, but I guess the pacing through me off quite a bit. Maybe my expectations were set too high.
Rated 25 May 2011
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 19 Jun 2011
100
99th
Staggering western; represents pinnacle of Leone's impressive filmography. Startling cinematography and editing enhance mixture of homage and loving tribute to the westerns of Ford, Hawks etc. Atypical use of Fonda as villian pays off in spades, delivering one of the most chilling, gleefully nasty characters of all time. Bronson, Robards and Cardinale are all superb, but special mention must also go to Ferzetti as Fonda's crippled offsider, and Morricone's wonderful score. An awesome film.
Rated 19 Jun 2011
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 09 Aug 2010
10
97th
(2nd viewing) Awesome, the tension is so ubiquitous it's almost tangible. One issue I can seem to work past is, even though McBain wasn't a cold hearted bastard, his motivations, altough culturally vialiable and for the good of the region, are still monetary driven. A masterpiece nonetheless, full of classic, heartstopping scenes and Bronson in the role of a lifetime.
Rated 09 Aug 2010
johnsandwichJohnSandwich
Rated 13 May 2009
100
99th
just about perfect, in all departments. claudia cardinale was one hot piece back then yo
Rated 13 May 2009
cmonsterCMonster
Rated 12 Jul 2012
90
93rd
There are two things I don't understand. First, I've not quite figured out why Charles Bronson had to rip open Claudia Cadinale's blouse at one point (not complaining, but the reasoning escaped me). Second, and this really has little to do with the film, at the end of the movie a train is delivering things to the end of the line, but since the line is still being built there isn't one of those places to turn the engine around and face it the other way. In real life, how did they deal with that?
Rated 12 Jul 2012
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 12 Dec 2006
90
94th
In some ways this is even better than The Good The Bad and The Ugly, as Leone focuses even more on the tone and visuals. Sure, the pace can be too slow at times, but it's worth it for the amazing characters and beautiful vistas we get, not to mention Claudia Cardinale.
Rated 12 Dec 2006
inhmninhmn
Rated 12 Jan 2009
99
92nd
best spaghetti dish from maestro Leone. After the last bullet the book is closed .... there's no more western cinema
Rated 12 Jan 2009
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 25 Sep 2010
97
99th
An amazing western and an amazing drama. Sit back and enjoy cause this film won't be rushed. It does seem long at times but I for one was glad because I didn't want it to end. Loved Fonda as a baddie, loved Robards and Bronson as well.
Rated 25 Sep 2010
muutanetmuutanet
Rated 08 Feb 2008
97
99th
The best ever made Western! Excellenct acting, directing, editing. Written by Dario Argento (!) and Bernardo Bertolucci. Unforgettabe music by Ennio Morricone. And I do not fancy Westerns!
Rated 08 Feb 2008
hotsakehotsake
Rated 04 Jul 2012
94
99th
This is one of my all time favorite westerns. Better than the Man with No Name films, better than any John Wayne offering, hell better than any other western I've ever seen aside from Unforgiven "1992"
Rated 04 Jul 2012
yiannosYiannos
Rated 25 Mar 2017
85
97th
Leone's style has become more sacred as the scarcity principle for old fashioned ornate epics has firmly taken hold. His work now carries a heavy burden of nostalgia, which is fitting for O.U.A.T.I.A as its subtext addresses the passing of an old mode of life supplanted by technological advancement. It's a simple revenge plot masterfully told featuring characters of unexpected depth and an atmospheric slow burn narrative that ratches up the intensity for the final classic showdown.
Rated 25 Mar 2017
closedmouthclosedmouth
Rated 23 May 2016
90
89th
At first I thought the Italian-ness of it would be a problem for me, as I've often struggled with other Italian films of the era (why did they persist with that consistently awful dubbing? It's like nails on a chalkboard). But I was surprised at how much it sucked me in, and by the second act I was pretty thoroughly hooked. There are some extraordinary sequences (that denouement!), some wonderfully nuanced shifting alliances, and a languid pace that actually works to its advantage. Great stuff.
Rated 23 May 2016
wicheWiche
Rated 16 Jul 2009
86
91st
Oldie but goodie! The pace is way slower than in films nowadays, but actually, that didn't bother me at all, actually I really liked it. It's a great way of building the tension that isn't used anymore today. Also what I especially like are those little details which make this movie a classic. The characters are powerful on screen and the dialogues are worth remembering. Great!
Rated 16 Jul 2009
penchupenchu
Rated 26 Apr 2009
100
99th
this is not just the greatest western
Rated 26 Apr 2009
ocelotOcelot
Rated 03 Jun 2009
85
94th
Man, talk about a movie that grows on you.
Rated 03 Jun 2009
teddedonTedDedon
Rated 18 Mar 2007
96
95th
One hell of a movie. Great acting, directing, action, storytelling, music, writing, editing, and everything else, it's just one of the best movies I've ever seen.
Rated 18 Mar 2007
zealot185Zealot185
Rated 22 Aug 2009
95
97th
I'd complain about the pacing and run-time, but the brilliant cinematography, and performances by Bronson, Robards, and Fonda makes it a non-issue. Also, Claudia Cardinale is stunningly gorgeous.
Rated 22 Aug 2009
mannaManna
Rated 18 Jan 2009
100
96th
Times when men were real men... women were real women... the music is EPIC
Rated 18 Jan 2009
bingbing
Rated 23 May 2012
75
66th
A masterclass in pace, suspense and faces. Shows Leone's experience in the genre but also a drive to do something bigger and different. Subtlety and moral ambiguity and end-of-an-era romanticism. Mmmm.
Rated 23 May 2012
sheddlesheddle
Rated 08 Jul 2010
95
95th
It's the least fun of Leone's westerns, but it's his most heartfelt. The amazing caricatures of his opening trilogy are gone, but they're replaced by flesh-and-blood human beings. If that wasn't enough, it might be the best scored movie in history.
Rated 08 Jul 2010
kalmah7Kalmah7
Rated 26 Apr 2009
52
15th
It looks beautiful, but some of my problems with Leone persist here. It's far too slow paced, I always felt detached from the characters and Morricone's score drifts between irritating and fantastical.
Rated 26 Apr 2009
andyAndy
Rated 06 Jun 2008
55
25th
Fairly entertaining story, but the characters aren't that like-able which makes it tougher to associate with them. Maybe I'm just not a 'western' fan.
Rated 06 Jun 2008
brandt64brandt64
Rated 07 Sep 2009
100
99th
A masterpiece. The first time I saw this, I didn't think it was very well-paced, but I now realize just how good Leone is at developing a scene and fully fleshing it out...and it's because he takes his time. Take, for instance, his frequent contrast of close-ups - gritty, dark, and emotional, with his long shots - majestic and contributing to a sense of grandeur. Or the eerie sound design. Or how characters can be developed not just by dialog, but by using Leone's masterful techniques alone.
Rated 07 Sep 2009
kafka1325kafka1325
Rated 16 Mar 2007
92
99th
One of the best movie ever made... Chronlogical how story goes movie get better and better... Really movie that remember all life....
Rated 16 Mar 2007
kasperlKasperL
Rated 05 Dec 2012
90
97th
One of the finest westerns of all time. Claudia Cardinale.... no words.
Rated 05 Dec 2012
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 07 Jun 2013
95
95th
7 Haziran 2013 & en muthis olan ise, 20 saniye de olsa gordugumuz her karakterin nasil biri oldugunu, niyetini vs. anlayabiliyoruz. Butun bunlari da diyalog ya da ses ile degil, ince detaylar ile planlanmis goruntunun, kadrajin sayesinde anliyoruz. (Peki ya bunun tersi olabilir mi?) Muthis bir yonetmenlik ornegi.
Rated 07 Jun 2013
dst7175dst7175
Rated 20 Oct 2008
94
98th
CHARLES BRONSON IS GREAT AND I THINK THE MUSIC WAS GREAT FOR THIS MOVIE.WESTERN CLASSIC.
Rated 20 Oct 2008
lokiLoki
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
73rd
Great performances and good story told in classic Leone style.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 03 Mar 2007
70
82nd
Classic.
Rated 03 Mar 2007
oskarhuoskarhu
Rated 23 Oct 2014
90
97th
Wonderful storytelling mixed with great acting cinematography and music. Also, Claudia Cardinale and Fonda's blue eyes.
Rated 23 Oct 2014
harukoHaruko
Rated 06 Mar 2009
86
97th
Amazing cinematography, souns editing, colour scene and most of all music. The plot wasn't half bad either. Once Upon a Time in the West combines all the great things from Sergio Leone's movies and turns them into an epic masterpiece, a king of the western genre.
Rated 06 Mar 2009
caimancaiman
Rated 03 Aug 2010
95
98th
This movie is great for so many reasons. Leone has an impeccable eye for shot compositions. His lens tells his stories. His perfect shots build amazing sequences - the near-silent opening is so intense and awesome, and the movie is filled with these. The music compliments the mood perfectly, and the casting is spot on. Fonda and Bronson are simply iconic and at the top of their game here. This is Leone's best movie and probably my favorite western. This is near perfect film making.
Rated 03 Aug 2010
shmendrekShmendrek
Rated 16 Feb 2010
2
33rd
I always feel like the emperor wears no clothes when it comes to Leone. I must be missing the part of my brain which allows me to enjoy the sight of several grown men trudging through squalor and squinting at each other for three hours.
Rated 16 Feb 2010
insan3Insan3
Rated 07 Dec 2010
95
98th
Just barely edging out Sergio Leone's other western masterpiece, this film is the culmination of what the great director learned as he created the Dollar's trilogy or at least that is how it appears to me. Starting with Henry Fonda in a rare villain role, this film is remarkable through and through. Jason Robards and Charles Bronson are great, the later doing well in a very familiar role. It is, however, Claudia Cardinale who adds something many westerns seemingly don't have.. heart.
Rated 07 Dec 2010
xakkmasterXakkMaster
Rated 29 Jul 2010
92
92nd
Sergio Leone created the greatest Westerns ever made and this film stands right beside the 'Man with No Name Trilogy' at the very top of the genre. The music, scenery, cinematography; it's all legendary. Charles Bronson is badass, Henry Fonda is ice-cold, and Claudia Cardinale sets the screen on fire with her smoldering good looks. It'll make you want to be a gun-slinger and play a harmonica for the rest of your life.
Rated 29 Jul 2010
syntheseizurSyntheseizur
Rated 31 Oct 2011
91
93rd
Leone takes suspense and pares it down to the basest level -- ambient sound, an actor's expression, the dusty desert. In this more than the Dollars films, he uses these elements to breed curiosity in the viewer, ratchets up the tension to an unbelievable level, then blows you away. What he does here is only capable in the medium of film.
Rated 31 Oct 2011
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
96th
Probably the single best non-American western with the possible exception of Leone's own "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly", and among the greatest movie westerns of all time.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
nbd_rabNBD Rab
Rated 23 Feb 2013
90
91st
A cool and impressive western, but I just don't agree that it stacks up to the Dollars Trilogy.
Rated 23 Feb 2013
purgatospurgatos
Rated 09 May 2008
87
86th
It's not as exciting as The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, but it has the better characterization and is likely prettier.
Rated 09 May 2008
paulofilmopaulofilmo
Rated 27 Dec 2009
73
85th
I feel all warm and fuzzy. I've chosen the medium to be obsessed with wisely.
Rated 27 Dec 2009
johnshaftjohnshaft
Rated 04 Jul 2009
100
98th
A classic western and the pinnacle of a genre.
Rated 04 Jul 2009
theyshootpicTheyshootpic
Rated 17 Apr 2007
91
93rd
# 87
Rated 17 Apr 2007
rufamRufam
Rated 11 Jun 2011
95
99th
Many can be said about Leone's meticulous direction or the brilliant interplay between the three male leads, or the laborious length that ultimately enhances instead of decreasing the film's power and intensity. But Morricone's score MAKES this picture. I can't imagine it would be even close as great as it is without it.
Rated 11 Jun 2011
netkevinnetkevin
Rated 26 Dec 2010
96
91st
A stirring and epic depiction of a showdown between two unstoppable forces; that of The Man, played by Charles Bronson, and the forces of disorder led by Henry Fonda's character. A stunning visual style and a wonderful 'gritty' and rough feel is present in the film. Well recommended.
Rated 26 Dec 2010
dylanwilson6dylanwilson6
Rated 25 Jun 2014
90
96th
I was a little worried when starting this up, as it was a Sergio Leone film without Clint. It would have been interesting to see Clint in it, but Bronson did an amazing job as the lead. Henry Fonda is great and Jason Robards is definitely the most interesting man in the world (he really stole the movie for me). Morricone is a genius again, the cinematography is just out of this world. Also literally two lines and no action happened in the first 10 minutes, you don't see that patience anymore.
Rated 25 Jun 2014
darthnuadadarthnuada
Rated 08 Sep 2010
92
96th
Great sound design. Great story.
Rated 08 Sep 2010
cinematicespCinematicESP
Rated 10 Jan 2007
98
99th
Leone's most beautiful western, or at least my favorite. An amazingly haunting Morricone score with an excellent performance by Henry Fonda and others.
Rated 10 Jan 2007
ronthedogronthedog
Rated 31 May 2008
85
82nd
Brilliant and complex Leone Western. Huge depth of character expressed through close-ups and reaction shots. And Henry Fonda's eyes!
Rated 31 May 2008
spoonieluvspoonie.luv
Rated 27 Jun 2008
100
96th
big time classic. Must see.
Rated 27 Jun 2008
jetsetsoulJetSetSoul
Rated 02 Feb 2019
98
75th
The perfect Western is the first ten minutes of this extended into an entire film.
Rated 02 Feb 2019
michaelhash2michaelhash2
Rated 06 Nov 2012
93
93rd
92.500
Rated 06 Nov 2012
susie_mauvesusie-mauve
Rated 09 Nov 2013
91
85th
That's not using a cliche, it's inventing one
Rated 09 Nov 2013
stuie299stuie299
Rated 14 Oct 2013
65
21st
Good acting and cinematography (save an infatuation with the actors eyes) are completely wasted on overblown directing and a lifeless screenplay. I think Leone might be the only person that can match PTA in terms of needlessly drawn out scenes. It all just boils down to macho cowboy attitude, male posturing and a terribly repetitive score.
Rated 14 Oct 2013
alex_wsAlex WS
Rated 19 Jan 2013
62
41st
Big build-up, only decent pay-off.
Rated 19 Jan 2013
solomonburrrSolomonBurrr
Rated 08 Mar 2020
88
91st
87.8
Rated 08 Mar 2020
dorothyozDorothyOz
Rated 23 Aug 2015
90
96th
I really liked it
Rated 23 Aug 2015
chengmingchengming
Rated 21 May 2020
70
62nd
The setting is great, the cinematography still stands out today, editing and directing are absolutely deliberate, and the score is perfect anyway. Pity then that there is not a single genuine human being in here then.
Rated 21 May 2020
mchaleMcHale
Rated 07 Oct 2010
80
62nd
Rather slow, but like always, Sergio Leone makes that work well. I did prefer Clint Eastwood's trilogy though.
Rated 07 Oct 2010
philipPhilip
Rated 12 Jun 2011
74
70th
Drags a bit, but so wonderfully shot that I sometimes don't care.
Rated 12 Jun 2011
harmonicaHarmonica
Rated 14 Aug 2007
99
99th
A director, cast and crew at the peak of their considerable talents create a moving and unforgettable epic. Quite simply one of the greatest films ever made. The title translates more accurately to 'Once Upon a Time there was The West', well, once upon a time they made films like this. Watch Leone's 'America, too, which is almost as good.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
kito1kito1
Rated 29 Apr 2017
80
89th
Very enjoyable, with epic and emotional scenes. Leone finally got the pacing right. The characters are great, and it all comes together nicely in the end.
Rated 29 Apr 2017
rttntomatoesrttntomatoes
Rated 22 Jan 2014
98
94th
A landmark Sergio Leone spaghetti western masterpiece featuring a classic Morricone score.
Rated 22 Jan 2014

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