Once Upon a Time in the West: Shooting a Masterpiece

This huge book costs plenty, but tells plenty about Sergio Leone and his vision, i.e., of an Italian director making a western type movie, taking an American art form and converting that style for Italian and other European audiences..Most know him as the father of the “Spaghetti Western” with the trivialization of his work that accompanies that wisecrack, fun to Americans..But for those who might be looking for more, I can offer but a small sampling of why this book is such a treasure..We begin with the emphasis that SL surrounded himself with others who were incredibly gifted at behind the camera moviemaking, more than a few of whom were quite new to the game..Most are likely familiar with Ennio Morricone, whose film music with SL predated this film, but who joined with SL in composing much of the soundtrack before filming, then having the music pace the video..SL saw the music in a film always so essential to conveying the mood and message of the story..We see the movie basically constructed around set pieces, beginning with the train approaching Cattle Corner, where Charlie Bronson as Harmonica blows away the three gunslingers adorned 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 detail and 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 Western here 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.

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.

I would have liked more behind the scenes colors pictures.....and sets. It really is a collage of various elements of other classic westerns...

Beautiful book. Packed with so much information, not just about this movie, but films of the genre and by the director.

everything you could ever want to know about OUTW

Always one of my favorite films, this is a fantastic book. Enjoyed very much!

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