Once Upon a Time in the West is a seminal film in the history of cinema, representing a culmination of Sergio Leone’s mastery of the spaghetti western genre. Released in 1968, the film redefined the western by blending epic storytelling, richly developed characters, and a bold departure from traditional Hollywood conventions. It was Leoneโs first film after his famous “Dollars Trilogy” (A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly). With this film, Leone sought to create not just another western but a mythic tale that captured the essence of the American West and its transformation.
The screenplay was co-written by Leone, Sergio Donati, and renowned collaborators Dario Argento and Bernardo Bertolucci, combining their diverse creative visions into a narrative that is both personal and universal.
The film begins with one of the most iconic opening sequences in cinema history: three gunmen wait silently at a train station, surrounded by the sounds of creaking wood, dripping water, and buzzing flies. They are here to kill Harmonica (Charles Bronson), a mysterious man with a harmonica who arrives on the train and swiftly dispatches them in a gunfight.
The plot unfolds around three central stories, interconnected by greed, revenge, and the unstoppable march of progress:
- Jill McBain’s Struggle
Jill McBain (Claudia Cardinale), a former prostitute, arrives from New Orleans to join her new husband, Brett McBain, on his ranch in the desolate frontier. She dreams of starting a new life, only to find that her husband and his children have been brutally murdered by a gang led by Frank (Henry Fonda). Jill soon discovers that her late husband had strategically purchased land with access to a water source, making it vital to the railroad companyโs plans for westward expansion. Now, as the landโs rightful owner, she becomes a pawn in a deadly game of power and greed. - Harmonica’s Revenge
Harmonica, a quiet and enigmatic gunslinger, is driven by a deep personal vendetta against Frank. Throughout the film, his purpose remains unclear, as he acts as both protector and avenger, shadowing Frank and becoming a pivotal figure in Jillโs fight for survival. - Cheyenneโs Redemption
Cheyenne (Jason Robards), a notorious but charismatic outlaw, is falsely accused of the McBain familyโs murder. Despite his rough exterior, Cheyenne becomes an unlikely ally to Jill and Harmonica. His arc reflects a longing for redemption in a world that is leaving men like him behind.
The plot weaves these stories together as the characters navigate betrayal, alliances, and the inevitable march of progress represented by the railroad and its ruthless expansion across the West.