Once Upon a Time in the West

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I read a story that Henry was actually happy to take the role, because it was different than his usual. He tried on brown contact lenses and was asking if he should grow a mustache and make his hair darker. The director laughed, and said he wanted that angelic face with blue eyes playing the part of a sadistic killer.
 
Western aficionados consider the camera pan where the leading killer is revealed to be Henry Fonda, the all-American good-guy actor all the way back to "Young Mr. Lincoln", to be one of the greatest moments in Western cinema, even if it was filmed in Spain by an Italian director.

The location of the McBain ranch is still a tourist attraction in the South of Spain today.

You really haven't seen this unless you've seen it on an old-fashioned Cinemascope movie screen. Or at least a big-screen TV.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=37&v=VN3-uOjK4TY
 
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That's gorgeous.....

Beautiful music for such a dingy movie subject. The soundtrack is notable for several pieces for some clever devices. One piece sounds like the old cowpoke, poking along music, but it halts.... and starts up again.

Henry Fonda in this movie reminds me of Harry Morgan, I think in a 'Gunsmoke' episode where he was an evil killer that would quote bible verses to justify his actions. Just not used to seeing an 'evil' Bill Gannon.
 
wbraswell said:
They sure didn't show Woody Strode and Jack Elam much respect by killing them off at the very beginning.
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Supposedly, Leone wanted Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach and Lee van Cleef for those roles, his "heroes" from his previous movie, to make a comic point. When he couldn't get them, he chose some classic American Western actors instead. The only exception was Al Mulock, the third gunman in the opening scene, who by the way committed suicide on the evening of the day that scene was finished shooting, by jumping out of his hotel window still in his movie costume. Supposedly, Leone immediately had all the film developed to make sure he didn't need additional footage.
 
Any reprise of Henry Fonda's career takes note of his portrayal in this movie. If there is a weak point in these spaghetti Westerns, even a great one like this, it is the dubbing of the non-English speaking actors.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
I'm watching it right now, it will be the first time I've seen the whole movie. Got to go, Jason Robards just walked in, and cell phones aren't allowed in the theater.

KO
 
Finally got to watch the whole movie on the "big" screen from beginning to end instead of bits and pieces on TV. I enjoyed it thoroughly and it kept my interest for the duration. Henry Fonda made for one pure evil bad guy.

ouatitw_zps1sb1wm0d.jpg

Sorry about the artifacts in the photo, I got a little over zealous with the post processing. Screen masking set at 2.35:1, 111"w x 47"h.

KO
 
Old TexMex said:
Calling Claudia Cardinale a "hottie" is like referring to a Registered Magnum as a "good gun"....understatement a little don't ya think?!;)
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Yes sir, you're right. How about "Claudia Cardinale is one beautiful, sexy, gorgeous, lovely woman". :D

I look into her eyes, and I could drown in those limped pools of loveliness.;)
 
Some recent westerns that I thought were pretty good are Appaloosa with Ed Harris and Viggo Mortenson, Sweetwater also with Ed Harris and January Jones, and The Salvation starring Mads Mikkelsen.

KO
 
ko41 said:
Some recent westerns that I thought were pretty good are Appaloosa with Ed Harris and Viggo Mortenson, Sweetwater also with Ed Harris and January Jones, and The Salvation starring Mads Mikkelsen.

KO
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Appaloosa is vastly underrated. And Viggo Mortenson seems totally realistic in his role. And the music and photographs as the end titles come up onscreen are the icing on the cake. It's a fine little movie, and one of my favorite films. The book is good, too.
 
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