Once Upon A Time In The West's Length

[Leone Admirer]

Watched my favourite film last night, which I think you can guess what it is (Once Upon A Time In The West for those who can't  ) and was watching the documentary when they talk about the length of the film. Granted it is longer then Fistful and For A Few Dollars More, it is not as long as the restored cut of Good, Bad And The Ugly and the restored cut of Once Upon A Time In America. I think the main reason why people call the film long (apart from its physical length) is its pacing. I watched it last night and for me the pace wasn't slow at all it was just right. I was wondering how you feel about it?

[HEX]

Watched my favourite film last night, which I think you can guess what it is (Once Upon A Time In The West for those who can't  ) and was watching the documentary when they talk about the length of the film. Granted it is longer then Fistful and For A Few Dollars More, it is not as long as the restored cut of Good, Bad And The Ugly and the restored cut of Once Upon A Time In America. I think the main reason why people call the film long (apart from its physical length) is its pacing. I watched it last night and for me the pace wasn't slow at all it was just right. I was wondering how you feel about it?

well this being my favorite film of all time as well LEONE ADMIRER. i think the pacing of this film is absolutly perfect. no other film can pull of such a pace as this one can and make it work.

[Tim]

  The first time I watched OUATITW (I think I was 12 or so) I remember being a little bored watching it.  But something made me go back and watch it again, and I've been hooked ever since.  Part of the reason I think is because I knew about the payoff that was coming at the end.

  Now, I can watch OUATITW and it feels like its over in 10 or 15 minutes.  Harmonica is getting off the train and next thing I know he's riding away with Cheyenne's body.  I love the movie, but I understand when people say its too slow or the pacing isn't quick enough.  They don't know what they're missing out on.  Tough luck for them.

[J B]

Not only is it shorter than the extended version of GBU, it's the same exact length as the original American release of GBU.  It's interesting that GBU is comparitively fast paced when put next to OUATITW.  Compared to most other movies, GBU is very slow paced.

[dave jenkins]

GBU is chock full of episodes, but relatively little happens in OUATITW. There is so much going on in GBU that it took many viewings before I could remember *exactly* how the film begins. Never had that problem with OUATITW..........

[Groggy]

  The first time I watched OUATITW (I think I was 12 or so) I remember being a little bored watching it.  But something made me go back and watch it again, and I've been hooked ever since.  Part of the reason I think is because I knew about the payoff that was coming at the end.

  Now, I can watch OUATITW and it feels like its over in 10 or 15 minutes.  Harmonica is getting off the train and next thing I know he's riding away with Cheyenne's body.  I love the movie, but I understand when people say its too slow or the pacing isn't quick enough.  They don't know what they're missing out on.  Tough luck for them.

I can totally relate Tim.  The first time I tried to watch it - back in June of 2001 on TCM - I couldn't get through the first half-hour, BUT for whatever reason I was drawn back to seeing the film, so I bought it that November with my birthday money on VHS, and I quite enjoyed it.  And the rest, as they say, is history.

[Leone Admirer]

Watched Once Upon A Time In America last night. Depsite its three hour and forty minute length (I finished watching it at 4 AM this morning  ) it certainly does not feel that long at all. it seems to be all over in a very satisfying flash.

[C Youngblood]

I think the WHOLE film is perfect. The pace is so smooth and clean.