Once Upon a Time in the West

A railway company puts a widow’s life in danger when it wants to take her land and sends a hitman to eliminate her. A mysterious stranger with a harmonica bands up with a notorious desperado to protect the woman.

Sergio Leone introduces Claudia Cardinale’s character Jill McBain at Flagstone train station in one of the single best shots ever filmed. The camera focuses on Jill, standing all alone seemingly perplexed as to why her husband has not arrived to meet her. She makes her way out of the station and into the town. The camera rises high over the station and follows Jill through the town accompanied by Ennio Morricone’s incredible film score. “There were three men in her life. One to take her…one to love her – and one to kill her.” While catchphrases like this are occasionally misleading, this one isn’t far from the truth.

Sergio Leone shows his greatness nowhere better than in ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, restored in breathtaking 4K resolution. Eternal good guy Henry Fonda can be seen as the surprising face of evil, while Charles Bronson and Claudia Cardinale both play a part that’s as unforgettable as Ennio Morricone’s soundtrack.

The film is part of matinee focus LA RAGAZZA CARDINALE, which puts the spotlight on actress Claudia Cardinale.