Which do you prefer?
I have more nostalgia for GBU but of the two I think Once Upon a Time in the West may actually be the better film.
Bonus question; Which film had the better OST? It's an equally hard question, The Ecstasy of Gold vs Man with a Harmonica. Talk about a clash of titans.
That is a difficult question to answer. I think they both have some things in their favor over the other movie.
The main thing The Good, The Bad And The Ugly has in its favor is Clint Eastwood is a more effective man with no name than Charles Bronson. That role was made for him and he's played very similar roles brilliantly since then. Another thing in it's favor is Eli Wallach as Tuco. I loved him in that part and find him more enjoyable than Jason Robards in Once Upon A Time In The West. Additionally the score for GBU is probably more iconic although I love both.
On the other hand, Once Upon A Time has a better storyline, a better villain in Henry Fonda and the gorgeous Claudia Cardinale. Personally I pick Once Upon A Time In The West but won't argue too much with anyone who votes the other way
"Once Upon A Time has a better storyline, a better villain in Henry Fonda and the gorgeous Claudia Cardinale. Personally I pick Once Upon A Time In The West but won't argue too much with anyone who votes the other way"
i agree, Fonda as a badass is refreshing to see
and the plot has too many layers to catch on a first watch
Huge Clint fan here but OUATIA is the better flick
shareyou pretty much summed up my feelings.
GBU is a more entertaining film, so I can see it being favored.
OUATITW is the superior film in every way. TGTBATU has some good music but none that gives me goosebumps like the Harmonica theme.
TGTBATU has some good camera shots but ultimately it still has that cheap aesthetic look that the previous Dollar films had. With OUATITW, Leone had a much bigger budget because he had some funding from Paramount, and every shot looks like a painting come to life.
Furthermore, West was larger than life and operatic while still being consistent with it's reality. TGTBATU is all over the place with its internal logic. Sometimes characters can see into the distance - kid sees Angel Eyes riding up, Tuco and Blondie see Union soldiers riding up - and other times they can't see outside the frame.
I regard West as Leone's best film.
Better film ~ Once Upon a Time in the West
Better soundtrack ~ The Good, the Bad and the Ugly