Once Upon a Time in the West

Play trailer

Once Upon a Time in the West

PG-13

1969

2h 45m

Western

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

67 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

There's a single piece of land around Flagstone with water on it, and rail baron Morton (Gabriele Ferzetti) aims to have it, knowing the new railroad will have to stop there. He sends his henchman Frank (Henry Fonda) to scare the land's owner, McBain (Frank Wolff), but Frank kills him instead and pins it on a known bandit, Cheyenne (Jason Robards). Meanwhile, a mysterious gunslinger with a score to settle (Charles Bronson) and McBain's new wife, Jill (Claudia Cardinale), arrive in town.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

A landmark Sergio Leone spaghetti western masterpiece featuring a classic Morricone score.

Read Critics Reviews

TIME Staff

TIME Magazine

Mar 24, 2020

Leone's newest effort, Once Upon a Time in the West, with a major cast and a lot of big studio money behind it, proves that he is simply a serious bore.

Go to Full Review

Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

Mar 24, 2020

If there had to be a final Western, Once Upon a Time in the West would be it.

Go to Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Mar 24, 2020

Moments of intense realism flow into passages of operatic extravagance; lowbrow burlesque exists side by side with the expression of the most refined shades of feeling.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 22, 2025

4/4

Leone's operatic oater remains notable for a number of achievements.

Go to Full Review

Noah Gittell

Washington City Paper

Jun 8, 2024

Sergio Leone’s 1968 spaghetti western might be set in the 19th century, but it captured the violence of the ’60s, yet the grandly cinematic film that still somehow embraces humanity.

Go to Full Review

John Nguyen

Nerd Reactor

May 21, 2024

4.5/5

The epic spaghetti Western features an excellent score from Ennio Morricone, sweeping cinematography, and a gritty cast with rugged features that are great for Leone’s close-up and long takes.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

JOE S

Nov 20, 2024

Classic spaghetti Western

See more

Tom

Apr 1, 2024

Awesome quality film print. Really enjoyed the movie. Excellent food and drink service

See more

Ashequl I

@Tofa13 1 day ago

Once Upon a Time in the West, another perfect flick. The movie follows a killer who murders the family of a newlywed bride, a wanted man, and a man with no name who simply plays the harmonica. The story connects these characters beautifully, and the plot works perfectly. The dynamic between Harmonica and Cheyenne works brilliantly. The villains, Frank and Morton, were great too. Jill, who has connections with both sides, chooses to stay and build her life in the town. The ending was perfect. The screenplay was great, and the atmosphere of the Wild West was incredible. The tension and the buildup were pitch-perfect. Overall, a masterpiece of the Western genre and a perfect film to watch and enjoy.

See more

nick S

@Nick_S Sep 26, 2026

It has everything you'd expect from a Sergio Leone western... lots of deep gazes, great music, incredible sets. However it was a bit too slow and drawn out compared to it's predecessors. I found myself zoning out a lot.

See more

Robert P

@Superbad Sep 19, 2026

This movie is a *5* star Movie!

See more

bruce F

@bruce999 Aug 14, 2026

a well done western, with good guys and bad guys

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Sergio Leone

Director

Henry Fonda

Frank

Claudia Cardinale

Jill McBain

Charles Bronson

Harmonica

Jason Robards

Cheyenne

Frank Wolff

Brett McBain

Once Upon a Time in the West: Official Clip - What You're After

2:13

Now Playing

Once Upon a Time in the West: Official Clip - He Not Only Plays, He Can Shoot Too

2:05

Now Playing

Once Upon a Time in the West: Official Clip - Frank's Death

2:13

Now Playing

Once Upon a Time in the West: Official Clip - Harmonica's Flashback

2:14

Now Playing

Once Upon a Time in the West: Official Clip - A Man's Hands All Over You

2:13

Now Playing

Once Upon a Time in the West: Official Clip - That Strange Sound Right Now

2:12

Now Playing

Once Upon a Time in the West: Official Clip - McBain Family Slaughter

2:09

Now Playing

Once Upon a Time in the West: Official Clip - Two Horses Too Many

2:13

Now Playing

View more videos

Hang 'Em High

93%

73%

Hang 'Em High

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Hang 'Em High

Monte Walsh

90%

64%

Monte Walsh

Watchlist

Little Big Man

91%

87%

Little Big Man

Watchlist

Major Dundee

97%

67%

Major Dundee

Watchlist

Big Jake

75%

84%

Big Jake

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Alexandre Aja’s Five Favorite Films

Nicolas Cage’s 13 Favorite Films

10 Movie Classics the Oscars Ignored

View more photos

Synopsis

There's a single piece of land around Flagstone with water on it, and rail baron Morton (Gabriele Ferzetti) aims to have it, knowing the new railroad will have to stop there. He sends his henchman Frank (Henry Fonda) to scare the land's owner, McBain (Frank Wolff), but Frank kills him instead and pins it on a known bandit, Cheyenne (Jason Robards). Meanwhile, a mysterious gunslinger with a score to settle (Charles Bronson) and McBain's new wife, Jill (Claudia Cardinale), arrive in town.

Director: Sergio Leone
Producer: Bino Cicogna
Screenwriter: Dario Argento, Bernardo Bertolucci, Sergio Leone
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Western
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): May 28, 1969, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 6, 2014
Runtime: 2h 45m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings