Once upon a Time in the West (1968)

At the height of what might be called the “Spaghetti Western” era, Sergio Leone created this follow-up to his highly regarded trilogy starring Clint Eastwood (A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly). The screenplay was crafted from a story written with Dario Argento, the now-legendary Italian horror director, and future Oscar®-winning writer-director Bernardo Bertolucci.

With a cast of Americans (Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, Charles Bronson) and Italians (Claudia Cardinale, Gabriele Ferzetti, Paolo Stoppa), Once upon a Time in the West unfolds in a frontier town where the impending construction of the railroad brings together a rough mix of men and a beautiful widow who is menaced by a ruthless killer. Shoot-outs and acts of revenge and intimidation abound in this fast-paced, bloody exploration of the lawless age of western expansion.

This screening marks the 40th anniversary of the film’s 1968 release in Italy (it was not shown in the United States until May 1969) and celebrates the new restoration by Paramount Pictures.

Cast Henry Fonda (Frank), Claudia Cardinale (Jill McBain), Jason Robards (Cheyenne), Charles Bronson (The Man, Harmonica), Frank Wolff (McBain), Gabriele Ferzetti (Morton), Keenan Wynn (Sheriff), Paolo Stoppa (Sam), Marco Zuanelli (Wobbles), Lionel Stander (Barman), Jack Elam (Snaky), John Frederick (Member of Frank’s Gang), Woody Strode (Stony), Enzio Santianello (Timmy), Livio Andronico, Aldo Berti, Luigi Ciavarro, Benito Stefanelli, Salvo Basile, Marilu Carteny, Spartaco Conversi, Dino Mele (Harmonica as a Boy), Robert Hossein.

Directed by Sergio Leone. Produced by Fulvio Morsella. Screenplay Sergio Donati, Leone. Story Dario Argento, Bernardo Bertolucci, Leone. Cinematography Tonino Delli Colli. Film Editing Nino Baragli. Art Direction and Costume Design Carlo Simi. Music Ennio Morricone. Sound Claudio Maielli, Elio Pacella, Fausto Ancillai. Makeup Alberto De Rossi, Giannetto De Rossi. Rafran Cinematografica–San Marco Production. Paramount Pictures. 1968. 35mm. 165 mins. Print courtesy of Paramount Pictures.