Once Upon a Time in the West Review: Leone's Operatic Elegy for the Frontier
9/10 — Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
Pros
- Fonda's chilling villain
- Astonishing opening
- Morricone's score
Cons
- Very slow
- Simple plot
A mysterious harmonica-playing gunman, a widow, an outlaw and a ruthless hired killer collide over land that will be worth a fortune when the railroad arrives. Sergio Leone’s film closes the book on the traditional Western.
What works
The opening scene, a ten-minute wait at a station, is a masterpiece of tension, and Henry Fonda’s casting as a cold-blooded killer is a coup. Claudia Cardinale is strong, and Morricone’s score ties it all together.
Where it falters
The pace is deliberately slow, and the story is simple, relying on mood rather than plot.
Verdict
A beautiful, mournful Western that rewards patience.
