5/5 Absolutely Crucial
  by Grapey Grimes (Cincy, OH)
Everyone should see this movie, even if just as the best example of what the Italian Western is capable of. Spaghetti Western designation aside, this is a great movie, one of the best ever filmed. Superb.

I must say though, that fans of Leones trilogy starring Clint Eastwood may be better served to explore elsewhere first if looking to familiarize themseves with the Italian Western. This movie may be too big a leap, and as probably the best in the genre, it would best be appreciated after seeing some the lesser, but still great, contributions the the genre.

Not as rollicking as his trilogy of films starring Clint Eastwood, Once Upon a Time... has a somewhat more sombre tone, but is no,less enjoyable. A feast for the eyes.

The package is exceptional. Worth every penny. The special features are interesting and insightful. The print itself is gorgeous.



5/5 Superb Classic
  by Lorna D. Thomas (Arkansas, USA)
This movie is unbelivable as old as it is! You must, simply must, add this to your collection if you know anything at all about westerns. You will nerver forget it!! This is one of Sergios finest. It will never get any better than this.

3/5 An Italian western made in America
  by R. Bagula (Lakeside, Ca United States)
Charles Bronson and Henry Fonda make a story about the coming of an
evil railroad tycoon to Arizona.
Part of the movie is filmed in the John Wayne country of Monument Valley.
The only recognizable Italian is the leading lady, Claudia Cardinale,
but the film has a Sergio Leone
feel to the filming. In such a short period of time a revolution
in Hollywood had taken place and movies with Italian extras
shot in Italy ans Spain were no longer enough.
Charles Bronson is the Clint Eastwood character of the nameless man.
The result is pretty much a bad imitation of an Italian western?
Not that everybody didn't do their part, but the result just
doesn't have the spirit of the Eastwood films.

1/5 laughable juvenile fantasy that would have appealed to me if i were 7 years old.
  by fluffy, the human being. (forest lake, mn)
this is a classic movie????? if you're of that opinion i suggest you try reading some books. i've always been a book person, but am trying to give movies a try. i guess i had better go back to books. it seems like for about 2 hours of this almost 3 hour film, everyone just slowly walks around and stares at each other. i guess this is suppose to show that they are really really bad. honestly this is a childish revenge fantasy movie that's all cliche. from early on in the film, you know exactly how it's going to end, who will die, that sort of thing. like my review title says this is art created for the mentality of a 7 year old boy. my goodness this is bad bad art. laughable. good soundtrack though.

5/5 Leone at his most brilliant
  by Gadfly (New South Wales, Australia)
I first viewed this movie 40 years ago, and it remains one of my all-time favourites, although I have no special interest in westerns. Casting the usually genial good guy Henry Fonda as a ruthless killer, and usually bad guy Charles Bronson as hero, was a stroke of genius.

From the railway scene close-ups at the beginning, to Frank's final "Who are you?" in the chilling flashback scene near the ending, the whole movie is an unforgettable feast of mesmerising camera work, great acting and intriguing (if improbable) story line that keeps you guessing until the aforementioned flashback scene. And Claudia Cardinale is irresistible.

If you're even remotely interested in Sergio Leone or spaghetti westerns, this movie deserves a place in your collection.