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Once Upon a Time in the West

Original title: C'era una volta il West
  • 1968
  • PG-13
  • 2h 45m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
337K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
926
19
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
UK Trailer
Play trailer3:02
1 Video
99+ Photos
Western

A mysterious stranger with a harmonica joins forces with a notorious desperado to protect a beautiful widow from a ruthless assassin working for the railroad.A mysterious stranger with a harmonica joins forces with a notorious desperado to protect a beautiful widow from a ruthless assassin working for the railroad.A mysterious stranger with a harmonica joins forces with a notorious desperado to protect a beautiful widow from a ruthless assassin working for the railroad.

  • Director
    • Sergio Leone
  • Writers
    • Sergio Donati
    • Sergio Leone
    • Dario Argento
  • Stars
    • Henry Fonda
    • Charles Bronson
    • Claudia Cardinale
  • See production, box office & company info
    • IMDb RATING
    8.5/10
    337K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    926
    19
    • Director
      • Sergio Leone
    • Writers
      • Sergio Donati
      • Sergio Leone
      • Dario Argento
    • Stars
      • Henry Fonda
      • Charles Bronson
      • Claudia Cardinale
    • 837User reviews
    • 156Critic reviews
    • 82Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Top rated movie #49
    • Awards
      • 6 wins & 5 nominations

    Videos1

    Once Upon A Time In The West
    Trailer 3:02
    Watch Once Upon A Time In The West

    Photos234

    Claudia Cardinale in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
    Charles Bronson in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
    Henry Fonda and Charles Bronson in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
    Jason Robards in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
    Claudia Cardinale in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
    Henry Fonda and Charles Bronson in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
    "Once Upon a Time in the West" Claudia Cardinale 1968 Paramount Pictures
    Henry Fonda in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
    Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
    Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale, and Jason Robards in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
    Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale, and Jason Robards in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
    Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Henry Fonda
    Henry Fonda
    • Frank
    Charles Bronson
    Charles Bronson
    • Harmonica
    Claudia Cardinale
    Claudia Cardinale
    • Jill McBain
    Jason Robards
    Jason Robards
    • Manuel 'Cheyenne' Gutiérrez
    Gabriele Ferzetti
    Gabriele Ferzetti
    • Morton - Railroad Baron
    Paolo Stoppa
    Paolo Stoppa
    • Sam
    Woody Strode
    Woody Strode
    • Stony - Member of Frank's Gang
    Jack Elam
    Jack Elam
    • Snaky - Member of Frank's Gang
    Keenan Wynn
    Keenan Wynn
    • Sheriff - Auctioneer
    Frank Wolff
    Frank Wolff
    • Brett McBain
    Lionel Stander
    Lionel Stander
    • Barman
    Livio Andronico
    • Bit part
    • (uncredited)
    Salvatore Basile
    Salvatore Basile
    • Member of Cheyenne's Gang
    • (uncredited)
    Aldo Berti
    Aldo Berti
    • Member of Frank's Gang Playing Poker
    • (uncredited)
    Joseph Bradley
    • Train Station Master
    • (uncredited)
    Frank Braña
    Frank Braña
    • Member of Frank's Gang Smoking Pipe at Auction
    • (uncredited)
    Marilù Carteny
    • Mourner at Brett McBain's Funeral
    • (uncredited)
    Saturno Cerra
    Saturno Cerra
    • Member of Frank's Gang on Train
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Sergio Leone
    • Writers
      • Sergio Donati
      • Sergio Leone
      • Dario Argento
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Henry Fonda originally turned down the role of Frank. Director Sergio Leone flew to the United States and met with Fonda, who asked why he was wanted for the film. Leone replied, "Picture this: the camera shows a gunman from the waist down pulling his gun and shooting a running child. The camera pans up to the gunman's face and...it's Henry Fonda" (until then, with one exception, Fonda had only been cast in "good guy" roles. Leone wanted the audience to be shocked).
    • Goofs
      Frank goes to Morton's train and finds that dead bodies are scattered around. But the train's fireman appears not to be bothered. The engine's safety valve opens frequently, which means that the fireman dutifully keeps doing his job and keeps the boiler at maximum pressure. (The fireman and the driver never appear in the movie, but they must be there.)
    • Quotes

      Harmonica: [facing three men] And Frank?

      Snaky: Frank sent us.

      Harmonica: Did you bring a horse for me?

      Snaky: Well... looks like we're...

      [snickers]

      Snaky: ...looks like we're shy one horse.

      Harmonica: [shaking head] You brought two too many.

    • Crazy credits
      The opening credits appear over the three gunmen waiting at the train station.

      The film title itself appears at the end of the film.
    • Alternate versions
      Frank's line upon giving Harmonica his namesake varies from version to version. The Italian translates to "play something for your brother," but the most common English version is "keep your loving brother happy," and the German translates to "play me the song of death." The German movie title was inspired by this line.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Clock (2010)
    • Soundtracks
      Danny Boy
      (1913) (uncredited)
      Written by by Frederick Edward Weatherly
      Hummed and sung a cappella a bit by Simonetta Santaniello

    User reviews837

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    A masterpiece
    It's hard to believe this movie is from 1968. Very modern way of filming for the time. Sergio Leone gave time to each scene... something that new directors seem afraid to do... Great story about the last days of an era. Amazing music and the originality of linking a specific melody to each main character. And all these close-up to character's eyes... Just a wonderful movie.
    helpful•73
    5
    • bgkerfant-09664
    • Sep 25, 2019

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    FAQ6

    • Is this movie based on a book?
    • What is the sequence of events involving the ambush of Frank in Flagstone and Cheyenne's attack on Morton's train?
    • Why doesn't Frank kill Morton?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 4, 1969 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Italy
      • United States
    • Languages
      • Italian
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • There Was Once the West
    • Filming locations
      • Monument Valley, Arizona, USA(Exterior)
    • Production companies
      • Rafran Cinematografica
      • San Marco
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,321,508
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,435,024
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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