Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
Starring Claudia Cardinale, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, Charles Bronson, Gabriele Ferzetti, Paolo Stoppa, Woody Strode, Jack Elam, Keenan Wynn, Frank Wolff, Lionel Stander, Enzo Santaniello, Simonetta Santaniello, Marco Zuanelli, Al Mulock, John Frederick, Michael Harvey, Benito Stefanelli, Antonio Molino Rojo, Fabio Testi, Frank Braña, Paolo Figlia, Saturno Cerra, Spartaco Conversi, Aldo Berti, Aldo Sambrell, Lorenzo Robledo, Bruno Corazzari, Antonio Palombi, Luukialuana Kalaeloa, Renato Pinciroli, Claudio Mancini, Conrado San Martín
IHBM9Excellent
A widow whose land and life are in danger as the railroad is getting closer and closer to taking them over. A mysterious harmonica player joins forces with a desperado to protect the woman and her land.
My review · Reviewed 04/20/2008
When was the last time you watched a movie where after the first hour of the movie you didn't know any of the main character's names or what the movie was about yet you were completely engrossed? Ah, the genius of Sergio Leone. Once again, Leone paints a detailed picture with scant few words and captivates the audience while doing it. This film is also widely regarded as the greatest "face" movie of all time. While Henry Fonda was at the top of the billing, it is actually Charles Bronson (I kid you not) that is the star of this film.
One thing I love about Leone is that he's never trying to make a point. There isn't a moral to the story and there aren't any feel-good moments. He brings together a group of characters and spares you the details of who they are and where they come from. There are no good vs. evil confronations. In fact, the most sympathetic person in this movie was a reformed prostitute and the lead in the movie (Bronson) is never actually identified by name.