Once Upon a Time in the West: Shooting a Masterpiece Hardcover – May 21, 2019

This huge book costs plenty, but tells plenty about Sergio Leone and his vision, i.e., of an Italian director making a western typemovie, taking an American art form and converting that style for Italian and other European audiences..Most know him as thefather of the “Spaghetti Western” with the trivialization of his work that accompanies that wisecrack, fun to Americans..But forthose who might be looking for more, I can offer but a small sampling of why this book is such a treasure..We begin with theemphasis that SL surrounded himself with others who were incredibly gifted at behind the camera moviemaking, more than afew of whom were quite new to the game..Most are likely familiar with Ennio Morricone, whose film music with SL predated thisfilm, but who joined with SL in composing much of the soundtrack before filming, then having the music pace the video..SL saw themusic in a film always so essential to conveying the mood and message of the story..We see the movie basically constructed around setpieces, beginning with the train approaching Cattle Corner, where Charlie Bronson as Harmonica blows away the three gunslingersadorned in dusters, after advising them that they brought two horses too many..Yes, this and much more is really memorable stuff.SL is plainly a complex and highly creative individual, difficult to ever describe except piecemeal..But we see his attention to detailand to authenticity as to every aspect of his film, but also as to himself and his open book revelations to his actors and cohorts.We have cogent interviews with many involved, primarily with SL and those working with him, without emphasis on the cast..So we know that SL was working with his Italian sense of theatre and audience, where by the time he came on the scene the Westernhere had become so stylistic and predictable that his creation was foreign to American audiences and was largely proven so.

Like the film itself, this book is epic. Huge, hefty, loaded with countless behind-the-scene photos, there's also informative text and interviews. I was afraid that this might only be a coffee table book, but it was just what I was hoping for, a monumental tribute to one of the greatest films ever made. Author, and Leone authority Frayling has given us another masterpiece to enjoy. And yes, there are color images inside as well! Highly recommended.

Attempted to play this on BlueRay and will not play. Attempted on a regular DVD player and same sad result. May time to try it on a VHS machine?

This was a gift for my dad who admittedly is a big Once Upon a time and Leone fan. He loves it. Called me today yo walk me through some of the stuff he learned and sent text with cool pictures. Not sure I have done better on a gift in years

I debated on purchasing this book. Photo of book look small for the price. When I received the, surprise to see it is 10"x11". Plenty reading material about the movies and photos. Very informative.

everything you could ever want to know about OUTW

was specfically told about the "damage" to the book, but no problem to me considering the low price of a rare tome.Quick delivery and in conidtion so I can read and enjoy it. Much appreciated.

This book gives you a lot of insight to the making of OUATITW. Best western ever! A must for western fans.

A masterwork assembling many interviews held over more than 30 years. Christopher Frayling, the lighthouse movie expert on Sergio Leone, delivers in-depths research, great insights and a marvellous collection of unknown behind the scenes photos. Many references to the classic American western are illustrated with full-coloured cinema posters and additional photos ranging from "Stagecoach" to "The Hateful Eight". A great coffeetable book which brings many hours of pure joy to OUATITW. aficionados.

Fantastico libro. Muy bien documentado.

I recently had the great pleasure & privilege of meeting and chatting at length (while discussing many aspects of cinema history), with the book's author Professor Sir Christopher Frayling, at the Bradford Wide-screen Film Festival Weekend. Just listening to him was an education in itself. I told him that I had just purchased a copy of his new book on the making of the film "Once Upon A Time In The West", but unfortunately hadn't brought it with me. It's certainly a mighty book - in more ways than one - almost requiring two hands to lift it! Yet the level of detail included within it's many pages, make it simply one of the finest books I have ever read on the subject of the making of an individual film. Written with great love for the subject, Professor Frayling has over the years, met & interviewed the majority of those dedicated film craftsmen (and women) & artists who contributed to the making of this epic western. Chief amongst them, of course, was the film's director Sergio Leone, whose talent, commitment, passion & drive in attempting to make the ultimate western (albeit with a distinctive Italian flavor) comes across strongly in the writing and structure of the book. If you love westerns (especially spaghetti westerns) or just revel in the minutest details of how a film is made from the genesis of the original story and screenplay, to the final startling images imprinted on film, this book is for you. Not surprisingly, after I read it, it just made me want to watch "Once Upon A Time In The West" once again. If only to wallow in the images, music, action and characterizations, that set this film apart from so many others. So thank you Sir Christopher, for producing such a work of literary art, about a mighty work of cinematic art.

Très bel ouvrage que je recommande. Un pavé très documenté sur ce chef-d'oeuvre du cinéma. Grand Cinéaste. Grands acteurs.

電話帳より分厚く重いが公開されてから60年近く経ってこんな豪華な本が出るのは驚きと感動です。