You are here:

Once Upon a Time in the West

Name: Once Upon a Time in the West
Director: Sergio Leone
Released: 1968
Duration: 166 min

Representation Score

4.0/10

Fair

1968

PG-13

Director

Sergio Leone

Runtime

166 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Sergio Leone’s masterpiece serves as a sophisticated deconstruction of the American frontier rather than a celebration of it. By portraying traditional institutions like the railroad as corrupt and predatory, the film aligns with progressive themes of systemic critique. While the film lacks modern multi-layered casting and LGBTQ+ visibility, it earns merit through its narrative structure. It challenges the 'civilizing' myth of the West by treating the death of the Old West as a tragic consequence of institutionalized greed. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its moral relativism and its ability to challenge the 'civilizing' myth of the West through a lens of systemic manipulation.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Once Upon a Time in the West have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or queer dynamics. It follows the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender, which is typical of mid-century Western films.

How does Once Upon a Time in the West portray gender?

Good

Jill McBain breaks down traditional gender roles by playing a significant role in driving the story. Her journey shifts from being a frontier widow to becoming a key figure in establishing civilization, highlighting her survival and property ownership.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Once Upon a Time in the West?

Fair

The film uses the railroad's expansion as a metaphor for the displacement of indigenous peoples. Although Native American characters appear, the film does not provide many central roles for diverse characters.

How does Once Upon a Time in the West represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film provides a sophisticated critique of industrial capitalism and the expansionist policies of the time. It portrays the railroad as a predatory institution rather than a symbol of progress.

Does Once Upon a Time in the West include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not depict any characters with visible or invisible disabilities. These characters are not used as central figures in the narrative or as plot devices.

Present on Screen

The character of Jill McBain provides significant women's ability to drive the story and drives the historical progression.
The narrative offers a powerful critique of industrial capitalism and predatory expansionism.
The film successfully subverts traditional Western myths through a lens of moral relativism.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer dynamics.
There is a complete absence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.
The cast lacks the central roles for diverse characters found in contemporary progressive cinema.

Official Synopsis

As the railroad builders advance unstoppably through the Arizona desert on their way to the sea, Jill arrives in the small town of Flagstone with the intention of starting a new life.

How are these scores produced? →