Once Upon a Time in the West

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Once Upon a Time in the West

PG-13

1969

2h 45m

Western

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Popcornmeter

96%

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67 Reviews

94%

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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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 22, 2025

4/4

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

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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.

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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.

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JOE S

Nov 20, 2024

Classic spaghetti Western

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Tom

Apr 1, 2024

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

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Robert P

@Superbad 5 days ago

This movie is a *5* star Movie!

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bruce F

@bruce999 Aug 14, 2026

a well done western, with good guys and bad guys

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Douglas E

@RT50442544 Aug 9, 2026

O próprio título do filme é quase um spoiler: "Era Uma Vez no Oeste" anuncia o fim de uma era. A chegada da ferrovia simboliza o desaparecimento daquele mundo de pistoleiros e o nascimento de uma nova era. Destaque para Claudia Cardinale — ela está simplesmente deslumbrante.

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Garrett B

@gmoney637 Jul 23, 2026

Once Upon a Time in the West offers great standout performances and Moricone’s musical score brings this western film to vivid life.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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)

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