Once Upon a Time in The West Shooting a Masterpiece Hardcover – 18 April 2019

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.

To buy a book like this you have to be a fan of western movies and of Sergio Leone, fortunately I am both. Sir Christopher Frayling does a marvellous job in putting together a comprehensive book about this quite brilliant film and piece of art. Every time I pick it up, it is almost impossible to put back down as I get more and more engrossed in the detail. A must have if you like the movie.

Once Upon a Time in the West is my favourite film. Period.And this fantastically handsome book about the filming of it. There's so much here. Anyone who loves film and its history, and great films, will love this. What a gift it would make.For me, I get it out when I start watching the film again, or if I dip into it. I dip into the book, too. It's large, heavy, and very well put together. What a treat.

I've been waiting for this book for 40 years, from the first time I saw this masterpiece. A complete and thorough history of everything that went into OUATITW. Frayling has known and interviewed all the main actors and crew, writers and, of course, composer. Even if you've read his other books and listened to the Blu-Ray commentary, there are real delights in here. Check out the contributions from Carlo Simi and Tonino delli Colli. Both made extraordinary contributions the look, set design and the famous crane shots. Highly recommended. Read it in two days!

For me Once Upon A Time In The West Is the greatest western ever made, with The searchers à Close secon. I’ve seen it many many times, and each time I am awestruck by the sheer perfection of all aspects of it.ChrisFrayley’s monster of a book. Filled with photos, Interviews, call sheets, set and costume designs, day to day daries etc.There is nothing about the making of this masterpiece you will not find here. A book Treasure and pour over for hours and hours.

If like me, you happen to consider this film to be one of he greatest ever made, this lovingly crafted and compiled opus is a sheer joy. Large format production with lavish illustrations, it is a tome that repays dipping into and equally rewarding as a start to finish read. Beautifully produced and compiled by a genuine enthusiast whao happens to know a thing or two about the subject ;-). A must own for fans of cinema and critics alike. Brilliant.

I just had to buy this book as 'Once Upon A Time In The West' is probably amongst my top 5 films if not my favourite. On opening, I was amazed at the size and weight of it really is impressive. I have not yet had the chance to study the whole book in detail but having flicked through it I can see that it covers all aspects of the film and everyone involved in it's production in detail. There are lots of beautiful photos from the film and from behind the scenes including a wealth of publicity material of the time. The only reason I didn't award it 5 stars was I was a bit disappointed by the pages of the book as they have a dull matt finish giving them a cheap feel to them, a glossy finish would have improved the look of photos but apart from this I can thoroughly recommend this wonderfull book.

...you probably already know that OUATITW is a candidate in numerous categories - greatest movie/western/Italian western/Sergio Leone/Ennio...etc. And this book - hefty, well made, full of insights and beautiful photos and artwork - is a worthy celebration of the film. The Prof knows this stuff better than just about anyone and has talked to just about everyone too. Been a while coming and worth the wait. Read this book and see the film again - on a big screen.

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.

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.

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。