Once Upon a Time in the West - Setting the Stage

An analysis of the opening to Once Upon a Time in the West, and specifically how it establishes the major threads that will dominate the film. One key note: while this video essay is largely concerned with the opening sequence, it does still refer to other events within the film, including the ending.

More Eyebrow Cinema:

[leewatts]

The coolest shot in the movie was the 5 gunmen approaching the house after killing the family. Wind blowing their dusters, guns in hand walking up to that little boy. Then the camera pans to the leader and its Henry Fonda. " Holy Cow!"

[myan]

This opening is simply the most stunning one in the history of movies, period.

[jeffryhammel]

That was one of the best analysis - and there's been hundreds - of the beginning scene of "Once Upon A Time".

[travisbickle]

Sergio Leone is the master of suspense. It is amazing how he can lock you up to 5-10 minute long scenes. He does it so amazingly that you can't move a muscle in your couch.

[omnaysayer]

The waiting at the station, Conny Corleone's wedding, to me these are example of sequences so well done that, by themselves, they're better than entire movies out there.

[gautamrs]

This is possibly one of the most tastefully done synopsis of an excellent film. I enjoyed every moment of your rich narrative & the symbolism in the storytelling, explained so eloquently to mirror Leone’s vision. Thank you for the share!

[leftcoaster]

Well done. I used think The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly was Leone's masterpiece. Then I watched this and was blown away.

[oFoTcN]

7:19 that windmill still gives me goosebumps

[davebrowne]

After 40 years of loving this movie, finally got to see it on the big screen last year, it was even better than I hoped for. My favourite western.

[peterdoring]

6:48 Iconic image composition...! The whole movie is a unique masterpiece and a climax in film history....the story, the music, the characters, the camera, the cuts, the landscape, plenty of hints, references to former western movies and fine details....this was only possible because Leone was a film freak, kept his team and continuously improved his work

[sasharazifard]

I watched this as an 8 year old back in 1969 and it felt iconic even back then!

[terrytenney]

Still watch this movie every Christmas morning.
It's my present to myself.

[TheFxskibidbopmmdada]

I like how you have no idea what is happening for the first 30 minutes

[angelcanez]

This is my favorite Western of all time tied with Burt Lancaster's lawman and the first 10 minutes no one says a word and it's amazing still

[MJ]

My favorite lines were:
1- Harmonica: “you brought too too many”
2- Harmonica: “inside the men there were 3 bullets”

[nseven]

sergio can make even the literal dropping of water suspenseful

[AARONANKRUM]

I always found it interesting that those who would normally be labelled outlaws in most Westerns (Harmonica and Cheyenne and his band) actually are the anti-heros here against the evil corporate villains (is the earliest examples of the Corporate Villain Trope that filled later movies?). Even Cheyenne's men aren't quite sure what is going on when he orders them to start building the station. And of course, the Evil Corporation is set in Harmonica's mini-monologue to Frank before their duel where says "More Mortons will come along and ruin it all." Frank seems unmoved, interested only in who is this guy that is haunting him as if to say, its inevitable. Still, one my favorite badass scenes any movie occurs with Harmonica and Frank's thugs at the beginning.

[byroncallas]

Thoughtful insights, especially establishing this film, while honoring what has become before it, as something that transcends any western that has preceded it. I was blown away by this Ifilm in 1969 at 21 years old. At 72 it remains in my mind among the greatest movies ever conceived and made, years ahead of its time. Indeed, time is just beginning to catch up to it. Terrific analysis - thanks for posting.

[PoisonClan]

Just watched it tonight and could not explain it to my wife. All I could tell her is that it unfolds and you just have to go along.

[DoctorXander]

I watched all the blu ray features over the weekend and you still found completely different things to talk about that hadn't occurred to me. Subscribed.