It’s one of the joys of Telluride, the spirit of communal film-going evident in the outdoor screen set up each and every year in the middle of town. Tonight, I’m heading back to the room, quite drunk and full after a meal with colleagues, and suddenly: the unmistakable wail of a harmonica.
There is no way I’m going to hear the sounds of Sergio Leone’s “Once Upon a Time in the West,” to me one of the two best films ever made, and not stop to soak it in. And under the stars? In the crisp Colorado air? Sold.
Unfortunately, it was the end of the film. I had no idea that was the choice for tonight’s introductory screening (which dovetails with the Claudia Cardinale tribute scheduled during the fest), but I stopped, grabbed a spot on the grass with the rest of the viewers and watched Harmonica exact his revenge with a big smile on my face.
[Photo: Spill]
Comments
12 responses to “TELLURIDE: Claudia under the stars”
claudia cardinale. they just don’t make them like they used to
“To me one of the two best films ever made. ”
Complete agreement. For me, the other great film happened to be released in the same year.
what a coincidence, this was on tcm earlier tonight.
what is your other choice for best film ever (you said one of two)? i’ll rent em and catch up.
Yeah, I was planning on watching The 400 Blows when I got home from class last night, but there was Once Upon a Time in the West on TCM. I had to sit down and watch it until the end.
Frank in the flashback walking towards [*****SPOILER******] Harmonica and his brother is probably my favorite shot of all time.
Dying for Paramount to put out a restored Once Upon a Time in the West Blu. One of my top 5 movies of all time…
Watched this last night on TCM. Undoubtedly the Western genre’s masterpiece.
I’d have long ago suggested you do an entry of “The Lists” highlighting the ten best Westerns ever made if I didn’t already know this would surely be at the top.
N8: If I can swing it, you may well get a top 50 series leading up to the release of True Grit.
Oh man a top 50 list… that would be something…
Nice!
One of my all-time favorites. It’s a four-star masterpiece. I’m not entirely sure if it’s in my top TEN of all time, but it’s certainly in the top twenty. Greatest western of all time, BAR.NONE.
And Claudia Cardinale is one of cinema’s great beauties.