Quote:
Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
Any fan of Henry Fonda's dramatic work should also see "Once Upon a Time in the West," one of Sergio Leone's westerns shot in Sicily. The movie is not "good" in the sense that the modern moviegoer --- who appreciates subtle emotions and understated symbolism --- expects, but it is profoundly operatic in scope (and length). In a surprising turn, Fonda plays the film's central villain. It's difficult to imagine that the same person played Tom Joad and Norman Thayer. He apparently said this was his favorite film and role. This was my favorite western until "Unforgiven" took the title. "Lone Star" remains my favorite movie about the southwest, but is not technically a western.
Interesting that two of the films mentioned in the poll ("Twelve Angry Men" and "Wait Until Dark") are also staples of high school theater. Maybe I should vote for "The Wiz."
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I love this movie. It isn't a great movie, which is why I left it off my list. It is, however, a great example of the broad sweeping epic so popular in that era. For pageantry and scope, it belongs in the same class as films like "Ben Hur" and The Ten Commandments."
