Once Upon a Time in the West (Special Collector's Edition; 2-Disc Set) (US Version) DVD Region 1

The said work may be referred to as one of cinema's finest hours, offering unique character studies enveloped by a captivating plot that pays true homage to the genre of the western. Charles Bronson portrays the film's nameless protagonist, who has a score to settle with Frank (Henry Fonda), a killer for hire. Leone presents the tale in the form of an enigmatic odyssey that provides clues to the past, but not enough for the viewers to piece it all together until the secret is revealed in the final showdown between the two opposing characters. As a whole, it works perfectly through the montage-like scenes, including the opening when Frank's men wait for the arriving train prepared for a shootout and the tragic attack on the McBain farm. While the former sees the camera focused on the actions of the waiting killers, the latter slowly shifts from a seemingly normal day to one marked by utter tragedy. Bronson is perfect in the role of the terse hero who has got nothing to lose opposite Fonda, in one of his most memorable performances as a calculating murderer. The two are well supported by Jason Robards as Cheyenne, a desperado on the run who has his heart in the right place, and Claudia Cardinale who gives a convincing performance as a widow persisting in the face of despair. The film is underlined by the haunting score of award-winning composer Ennio Morricone. Old and new audiences are likely to be spellbound as they try to discover what happened Once Upon A Time In The West.