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Once Upon a Time in the West: Shooting a Masterpiece
The definitive book on Sergio Leone's landmark Western, Once Upon A Time In The West (1968). An in-depth analysis and shot by shot look at this iconic film by the world's leading authority on Sergio Leone, Sir Christopher Frayling, who coined the phrase "Spaghetti Western." Set photographer Angelo Novi was given complete access on the film and was present every day. This book features his stunning in-depth photography of every aspect of the shoot, including never-before-seen outtakes, off-screen shots and deleted scenes.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 25, 2024
If you have not seen the movie this not for you. One of the Great classic movies that would never get made today as would cost too much & people today want short movies .
This has foreword by Quentin Tarantio too.
What can say this very expensive book that is not just about Once but has loads colour posters from Winchester 73, to rare John Wayne but why because they helped influence this.
Loads of Charles Bronson & Henry Fonda to Claudia Cardinale .This big book as it has 330 ps but they double column so it's more reading it also has loads of rare photos never seen before that is what makes this book fab.
I love movie tie books but that have to be special this the sort of book you want
Once upon a Time in The West is dark Gothic brutal movie
This has foreword by Quentin Tarantio too.
What can say this very expensive book that is not just about Once but has loads colour posters from Winchester 73, to rare John Wayne but why because they helped influence this.
Loads of Charles Bronson & Henry Fonda to Claudia Cardinale .This big book as it has 330 ps but they double column so it's more reading it also has loads of rare photos never seen before that is what makes this book fab.
I love movie tie books but that have to be special this the sort of book you want
Once upon a Time in The West is dark Gothic brutal movie
July 6, 2019
I'm really sorry...this will be a long review.
National Film Theater, 1971:
MEMBER OF AUDIENCE: "...you suggest ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST as one of the best films of the last decade...Do you really take film as seriously as you did once?"
GRAHAM GREENE: "I take it seriously, and I take ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST seriously...I love the almost balletic quality in ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, especially the opening quarter of an hour or so."
Well, Mr. Greene, I love "Once Upon A Time In The West" too and this epic film is a masterpiece, in my humble opinion.
Great story (by Dario Argento, Bernardo Bertolucci and Sergio Leone) with a great script (by Sergio Donati and Sergio Leone and English dialogue by Mickey Knox), a gorgeous and memorable music score (by "il maestro" Ennio Morricone), a beautiful cinematography (by Tonino Delli Colli), great edition (by Nino Baragli) and a wonderful cast leaded by Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Jason Robards Jr, Gabrielle Ferzetti and the beautiful Claudia Cardinale.
And the director, Sergio Leone, was a genius and a perfectionist. He was brilliant.
And this book? Well, in my opinion, it's a dream come true for every fan of the movie. Generously illustrated with rare photographs (many in color) and many movie posters. All of the on-set photographs of the making of the film, in this book, are by the talented Angelo Novi (1930-1997).
Interviews with almost everyone involved with the film like the gifted Carlo Simi (the production designer), Ennio Morricone, Tonino Delli Colli, Mickey Knox, Sergio Donati, Claudio Mancini (the production manager), Jason Robards, Claudia Cardinale and interviews with people like John Carpenter, Joe Dante, John Milius, Martin Scorsese and short conversations with amazing musicians like the late great Alessandro Alessandroni, Edda Dell'Orso (that wonderful soprano) and Franco de Gemini (harmonica player).
And last but not least, a very good foreword by Quentin Tarantino ("Sergio Leone is my favorite filmmaker"..."The movie that made me consider filmmaking, the movie that showed me how a director does what he does, how a director can control a movie through his camera, is ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST"..."You don't go past Leone, you start with Leone.")
And I would like to end by quoting Jane Fonda:
"My father had serious qualms about taking the part, and I talked with him about it...His performance in ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST was one of the few times he has surprised me...What a performance, and what a great movie!"
I warmly agree with you, Ms. Fonda: what a great movie and what an amazing and wonderful book.
Thank you very much, Mr. Christopher Frayling!
National Film Theater, 1971:
MEMBER OF AUDIENCE: "...you suggest ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST as one of the best films of the last decade...Do you really take film as seriously as you did once?"
GRAHAM GREENE: "I take it seriously, and I take ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST seriously...I love the almost balletic quality in ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, especially the opening quarter of an hour or so."
Well, Mr. Greene, I love "Once Upon A Time In The West" too and this epic film is a masterpiece, in my humble opinion.
Great story (by Dario Argento, Bernardo Bertolucci and Sergio Leone) with a great script (by Sergio Donati and Sergio Leone and English dialogue by Mickey Knox), a gorgeous and memorable music score (by "il maestro" Ennio Morricone), a beautiful cinematography (by Tonino Delli Colli), great edition (by Nino Baragli) and a wonderful cast leaded by Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Jason Robards Jr, Gabrielle Ferzetti and the beautiful Claudia Cardinale.
And the director, Sergio Leone, was a genius and a perfectionist. He was brilliant.
And this book? Well, in my opinion, it's a dream come true for every fan of the movie. Generously illustrated with rare photographs (many in color) and many movie posters. All of the on-set photographs of the making of the film, in this book, are by the talented Angelo Novi (1930-1997).
Interviews with almost everyone involved with the film like the gifted Carlo Simi (the production designer), Ennio Morricone, Tonino Delli Colli, Mickey Knox, Sergio Donati, Claudio Mancini (the production manager), Jason Robards, Claudia Cardinale and interviews with people like John Carpenter, Joe Dante, John Milius, Martin Scorsese and short conversations with amazing musicians like the late great Alessandro Alessandroni, Edda Dell'Orso (that wonderful soprano) and Franco de Gemini (harmonica player).
And last but not least, a very good foreword by Quentin Tarantino ("Sergio Leone is my favorite filmmaker"..."The movie that made me consider filmmaking, the movie that showed me how a director does what he does, how a director can control a movie through his camera, is ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST"..."You don't go past Leone, you start with Leone.")
And I would like to end by quoting Jane Fonda:
"My father had serious qualms about taking the part, and I talked with him about it...His performance in ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST was one of the few times he has surprised me...What a performance, and what a great movie!"
I warmly agree with you, Ms. Fonda: what a great movie and what an amazing and wonderful book.
Thank you very much, Mr. Christopher Frayling!
August 5, 2019
Fanatics rejoice...
January 18, 2021
Absolutely brilliant in insight and detail. The book is worth buying for Tarantino's introduction alone. The pictures are excellent, and the construction of the book is top notch.
April 8, 2024
It took me a long time to finish this one. Not because it's not good, but because it is absolutely monstrous in size. You won't be carrying this tome on your commute to work. Sir Christopher Frayling has composed this book through research and interviews (over the course of years) with anyone he could find who had anything at all to do with the movie. He even spoke with Leone's wife.
The result is a masterpiece to match that of Leone. The book is generously illustrated with photos, poster art, and sketches, and this is where the size of the book is a bonus, you definitely don't have to squint at the artwork.
By the time you read this one, you will know everything there is to know about Once Upon a Time in the West . Of course, the book will be boring for anyone who isn't interested in oaters in general, or this one in particular. If you haven't already watched the movie, give it a go....probably one of the top 3 westerns ever made.
The result is a masterpiece to match that of Leone. The book is generously illustrated with photos, poster art, and sketches, and this is where the size of the book is a bonus, you definitely don't have to squint at the artwork.
By the time you read this one, you will know everything there is to know about Once Upon a Time in the West . Of course, the book will be boring for anyone who isn't interested in oaters in general, or this one in particular. If you haven't already watched the movie, give it a go....probably one of the top 3 westerns ever made.
October 14, 2020
Lots of photos and interviews, though not as much from the main stars Bronson, Cardinale, Fonda, and Robards as I would have liked. The movie is great enough on its own. But the musical score by Ennio Morricone adds another layer to the movie’s mystery and greatness. A good book for the coffee table.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews