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Seth Paxton · 11-20-2003, 02:04 PM

Oh, I did rewatch Once Upon a Time in the West although I just saw it last year and had already counted it.

I really enjoyed it more this time, though it still remains 2nd or 3rd behind GBU (in my top 10) and maybe Fistful (though its a tough call).

The first time through the film seemed to slow to me but this time it felt just right. I think we all recognize that when we know what is coming next (during a repeat viewing I mean) that a film will run "faster" to us. The good stuff doesn't last as long, but neither do the lesser parts. We may still hate them just as much, but at least we know they are coming to an end and when that will happen.

Here its not a case of hating a moment, just that I think we have narrative expectations when we are first told a story and that a storyteller can irritate us by restricting our progression to the next phase of the story.

But the 2nd time through you know the story, so instead your focus shifts more to enjoying the moments or how the story is being told. I think slower films perhaps benefit the most from this.

I often notice this "speed up" with films I loved; they actually go too fast on the 2nd viewing. The first time through they are hitting all the narrative beats and keeping things lively, but the 2nd time around I notice that there are no pauses to stop and enjoy the situation.

OUTIW is definitely an example of stopping to enjoy the situation (most often this is a moment of prolonged tension).

I think the opening scene makes this effect payoff the best because of how abruptly it ends. That protracted waiting is strongly contrasted with an almost instantanious resolution, which of course benefits the narrative by emphasising the skill of Harmonica.

Oh, and the mise-en-scene of the film is so typical of Leone, a real master at placing characters/objects within the frame.

But my favorite moment now is seeing that smile creep over Fonda's face right before he shoots the kid. I think Fonda was the most impressive performance in the film, not just because he was going against type but because he went against it with such subtlety and power.

11-20-2003, 02:04 PM	#1207 of 3734
Seth Paxton Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Local Time: 07:14 PM Local Date: 12-04-2008 Posts: 12,185	Oh, I did rewatch Once Upon a Time in the West although I just saw it last year and had already counted it. I really enjoyed it more this time, though it still remains 2nd or 3rd behind GBU (in my top 10) and maybe Fistful (though its a tough call). The first time through the film seemed to slow to me but this time it felt just right. I think we all recognize that when we know what is coming next (during a repeat viewing I mean) that a film will run "faster" to us. The good stuff doesn't last as long, but neither do the lesser parts. We may still hate them just as much, but at least we know they are coming to an end and when that will happen. Here its not a case of hating a moment, just that I think we have narrative expectations when we are first told a story and that a storyteller can irritate us by restricting our progression to the next phase of the story. But the 2nd time through you know the story, so instead your focus shifts more to enjoying the moments or how the story is being told. I think slower films perhaps benefit the most from this. I often notice this "speed up" with films I loved; they actually go too fast on the 2nd viewing. The first time through they are hitting all the narrative beats and keeping things lively, but the 2nd time around I notice that there are no pauses to stop and enjoy the situation. OUTIW is definitely an example of stopping to enjoy the situation (most often this is a moment of prolonged tension). I think the opening scene makes this effect payoff the best because of how abruptly it ends. That protracted waiting is strongly contrasted with an almost instantanious resolution, which of course benefits the narrative by emphasising the skill of Harmonica. Oh, and the mise-en-scene of the film is so typical of Leone, a real master at placing characters/objects within the frame. But my favorite moment now is seeing that smile creep over Fonda's face right before he shoots the kid. I think Fonda was the most impressive performance in the film, not just because he was going against type but because he went against it with such subtlety and power.