Dramatic moment in OUATIW

[poderator]

Have you noticed that beautiful irony in a saloon scene at the moment when Frank offers 50001 dollars to buy out Jill's ranch? Harmonica is leaned on saloon doors with his eyes fixed on something very far, on a picture of a man wich identity is unknown to us when we saw movie for the first time. The picture is out of focus. You have to watch this movie at least two times to be able to catch this dramatic irony. In that moment Harmonica reaches in the deepest corners of his memories, in the darkest places of his subconscious, but in that very moment Frank said the words; "I wouldn't think too much about it if I was you". This scene always makes shivers down my spine. Frank misinterpreted Harmonica's silence. He thought that Harmonica consideres money. Frank casual behavior and thiese words were spoken to a man who thinks only at that moment when his brother was killed. Even more, words came from a man who is responsibile for his brother murder. Incredibly cruel words, greatest insult. The man who killed Harmonica's brother is a very same man who gives "friendly advice" not to think much. Irony is that Harmonica's only purpose in this world is to avenge his brother death. Polarity between Harmonica's emotional trauma that he constantly reliving, and cruel and casual aproach that Frank has been showing in this short scene is striking.

[Tucumcari Bound]

I agree, it's a fantastic scene, and one of the best of many great scenes in this masterpiece. The acting in this scene is amazing. You mentioned the look on Harmonica's face as he thinks back at the image in the distance coming toward him. The first time you watch this, you're on the edge of your seat wondering what, and who is he thinking about. When it all comes to a head at the end, we are given one of the greatest twists ever in any movie in my opinion.