Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
Woah.
My enthusiasm for this movie can not be properly expressed. It was one of those rare movie experiences that excited me in a visceral way and reminded me why I love movies as much as I do. Before seeing this I would've had no problem calling
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly a masterpiece, but this movie exceeds it in so many ways that I can no longer make sense of such labels.
What struck me most is how different this movie feels from Leone's previous films. The story is not
terribly different than what has come before, but the tone is completely new. The pace is much slower, as evident during the brilliant opening credit sequence; around 10 minutes of absolutely nothing but building mood. The sound design also stood out, playing a key role in many important sequences and adding further immersion into the story. Of course Ennio Morricone continues to provide his incredible musical touch in shaping some really memorable sequences. Leone's direction has always been brilliant, but I felt like he really cut loose here and in doing so raised the bar.
In addition to the giddy-inducing style on display,
Once Upon a Time in the West also offers plenty of substance in the story and characters. I loved pretty much all of it, but the addition of Harmonica's character is really what tied it together for me. He's a great presence, adds an awesome element of mystery, and an incredibly satisfying climax. There's probably a really interesting discussion to be had about Jill, being the first significant female character in this marathon, but I think I want to rewatch before I tackle that subject.
I'm really looking forward to reading what others have to say. I have a new obsession.