I often agree with what Frayling says, but...

[noodles_leone]

Though, maybe, just maybe, he was initially gonna take the money for Indio's gang, but changed his mind in the process, because he didn't want a talented young man like Monco going around his whole life as a bounty hunter.

You're naive.

[Dust Devil]

But handsome.

[johnk]

I wanted to bring up something that I heard Frayling say.  He said that DYS represents the first time Leone's characters change and grow because in FaFDM for example Manco remains Manco, Mortimer remains Mortimer.  I completely disagree.  Mortimer was once a rather gallant figure but his sister's death and changes in society (because of the damn trains!) reduces him to a bounty killer.  He's successful but kills only for money and not for higher ideals.  Manco meanwhile comes from a more mercenary era and only knows that you have to kill or be killed.  At first the two regard each other as a threat.  But as the movie goes along, they are forced to work together to defeat Indio's gang and by the end have developed respect for one another.  Mortimer has been restored to his legendary status as a war hero and southern gentleman, and he no longer cares about the money.  Manco still cares about cash but Mortimer has had a profound effect of him, he respects the older man's need for vengeance.  The characters we met at the beginning would still be fighting over the reward money.  So my question is:  what the hell is Frayling talking about?

I think Manco for all is killing is underneath it all a good man........For what ever reason I feel he has been forced into his current situation....and not through pure greed and evil ....He has a spark of goodness in him which he shows towards Colonel Mortimer but does not like to show it...........Isnt he like a lot of us ??

[drinkanddestroy]

Similar to what cigarjoe said earlier: The other changes are very minor relative to the changes in DYS. And DYS has far more emotional depth and seriousness than any of Leone's previous films.
In the Dollars films, its all about the fastest gun and lotsa gags and stuff isn't meant to be taken seriously. but the personalities and changes in DYS are indeed very, very serious.
The characters in the previous films do not undergo the same sort of change that could in any way be compared to that of the characters in DYS. Therefore, I would respectfully disagree and say that Frayling's analysis was correct.

on that note, wouldn't it be awesome if we could get Frayling to join this forum? Someone said he posted here once or twice, but it would be great if anyone has contact with him and can get him to join as a regular contributor!

[Dust Devil]

And DYS has far more emotional depth and seriousness than any of Leone's previous films.

Watch GBU again.

[uncknown]

Watch GBU again.

"One of the most powerful antiwar statements ever put on film"
- Bruce Marshall "A Masterpiece restored"
Film Score Monthly Magazine july 2004

[stanton]

"One of the most powerful antiwar statements ever put on film"
- Bruce Marshall "A Masterpiece restored"
Film Score Monthly Magazine july 2004

Ha ha, well ... no, not really ...

Why not also the greatest love story ever put on screen?

[stanton]

Similar to what cigarjoe said earlier: The other changes are very minor relative to the changes in DYS. And DYS has far more emotional depth and seriousness than any of Leone's previous films.

I don't think so. Frankly said emotional depth wasn't one of Leone's strength. All great directors also had their limitations, and the Leone's westerns were perfect vehicles for his qualities. DYS not so much.

The problem of DYS is exactly that this film needed something different than Leone was able to deliver. For me also a problem in OuTA.

[dave jenkins]

"One of the most powerful antiwar statements ever put on film"

It depends what you mean by "antiwar." If by that you mean the mechanized, de-humanising process by which modern nation-states tend to prosecute their interests, then the film very clearly condemns that in the sequence at the bridge. However, Leone, in this and all his Westerns, always chose warriors as his heroes. His villains too are warriors, but they are warriors gone bad. At no time does he denigrate his warrior-heroes; rather, he celebrates them. And they are never so marvelous as when they are killing.

[drinkanddestroy]

Watch GBU again.

GBU definitely has some serious themes, but I still think that DYS is a far more seriously-themed movie than any of Leone's previous works

[stanton]

GBU definitely has some serious themes, but I still think that DYS is a far more seriously-themed movie than any of Leone's previous works

Maybe on the paper, but not on the screen.

But I know what you mean