Leconfield Lecture 2021 | ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST: SHOOTING A MASTERPIECE, a talk by Sir Christopher Frayling

Sergio Leone’s film Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) was intended to be the “ultimate Western”- a celebration of the power of classic Hollywood movies, a meditation on the making of America, and a lament over the decline of one of the most cherished film genres – in the form of a “dance of death” memorably scored by Ennio Morricone.  It was also an exploration of the relationship between myth (Once Upon…)  and history (…in the West) and of Leone’s own memories as an avid filmgoer who in his youth in Trastevere loved Westerns. Since the film was first released (to lukewarm reviews), its reputation – among film-makers, critics and cineastes alike – has grown and grown, to the point where it is now considered one of the great Italian films. One celebrated example: Quentin Tarantino recently recalled “This was the movie that made me consider film-making…but more, how to make an impact as a film-maker”.

Illustrated with rare one-set photographs, production designs, and discoveries from the Italian archives, this lecture will share new perspectives on the film and will discuss its changing reputation.