Once+Upon+a+Time+in+the+West 2014


 * Film Title: Once Upon a Time in the West **

Once Upon a Time in the West is an old western movie that follows two plots: The first is the struggle for control over an area named Sweetwater near the town of Flagstone, which held the only water for miles in the area. A railroad had been planned to be built through this, but the land had previously been bought by Brett Mcbain, who saw the potential of the land. Realizing that it would be extremely expensive to buy this land from McBain now that he owns it, the owner of the railroad line, Morton, sends a gunman named Frank to scare McBain. However, Frank kills him and his children instead. Then, McBain's wife shows up in Flagstone and finds out her family is dead, so in turn she owns the land. This conflict continues to evolve as the movie continues, as several characters attempt to gain control over this land. The second story line is following a mysterious unnamed man, nicknamed "Harmonica", who is pursuing Frank. His sole goal is to find and kill Frank, as revenge for the cruel death of his brother at the hands of Frank. At the end of the film, both disputes are settled, as Frank is killed by "Harmonica" and the building of the railroad is completed.
 * Plot: **

One of the main themes in this movie is that one bent on utter revenge will stop at nothing to achieve their goal, and that revenge leads to strange decisions. This is shown by "Harmonica" who helps Frank out when Frank is betrayed by his own men, in order to save killing Frank for himself.
 * Theme: **

The tone of the movie is humor. Even though the plot of the movie is somewhat serious and violent, the music and other non-diagetic elements are used to make it extremely funny at times.
 * Tone: **


 * Non-Diegetic Element 1: **
 * At the beginning of the movie, there are title sequences and words being played across the screen in white, which are clearly not part of the character's world.**
 * Non-Diegetic Element 2: **
 * In this shot, "Harmonica" has just finished playing his harmonica, and the music changes from diagetic to non-diagetic as a soundtrack begins playing in the background.**
 * Non-Diegetic Element 3: **
 * Both non-diagetic and diagetic music have been mixed together in this shot, as you hear the harmonica sound that comes from the child (young Harmonica) as he breathes, while a background guitar/old west music is playing.**


 * Non-Diegetic Element 4: **
 * In this scene, Cheyenne (the escaped bandit) has heard the mystery man playing the harmonica, and is walking over to investigate. As he rounds the corner, non-diagetic music is added to the diabetic harmonica music, which creates more tension and adds to the stressed atmosphere.**


 * Non-Diegetic Element 5: **
 * The mixture of non-diagetic and diagetic music is used again in this shot, which is a familiar image, as Frank dies in a relative method as when young Harmonica fell onto the ground, with the harmonica in his mouth and the sound of his final breaths coming through it. The music begins with non-diagetic, as the harmonica sound begins before the harmonica is put into Frank's mouth. Then, it becomes diagetic as Frank breathes and falls to the ground dead.**


 * Non-Diegetic Element 6: **
 * At the end, the title words are seen in white and swirling around on the screen, on top of a panning camera, which is completely non-diagetic.**
 * Non-Diegetic Element 7: **
 * Non-Diegetic Element 8: **
 * Non-Diegetic Element 9: **
 * Non-Diegetic Element 10: **

In this shot, Morton, the railroad tycoon, is handing out money to the men that are watching/guarding him, and the acceptance of the money by the guards means that he is bribing them to do something, which can mean that something is going to happen later on in the film. This event was foreshadowed from the beginning, when Morton was telling Frank that money held power, and the ability to change anybody's mind.
 * Mise En Scene Example 1: **
 * In this scene, the widow, Ms. McBain, is talking with Cheyenne in her house. The color scheme of the whole scene is very cluttered and messy, and the room itself looks disheveled and disorganized. Ms. McBain is expressing her contempt and bitterness at being left as a single widow with no family. The cluttered positioning of objects can represent how she wants revenge, but is confused and lost on the method and execution of this revenge, and she does not know how to proceed.**
 * Mise En Scene Example 2: **
 * In this shot, Cheyenne has taken Harmonica's gun and it twirling it on the table as he moves away. The positioning of the gun and the direction of its barrel can have several significances. Firstly, the gun is pointed down the counter away from where Harmonica is sitting, which may infer that the next shots will be moved down there. Also, the gun can be seen as an object of conflict, as the long counter may represent that the gun will have a use in the distant future.**
 * Mise En Scene Example 3: **
 * Mise En Scene Example 4: **
 * In this shot, Harmonica is observing the scene as Frank leaves, and is looking around for possible killers. The shot of this sign along with the change in music signifies that this object is of some importance, and that it will be used again later in the film, which is when the sniper tries to kill Frank, but is killed by Harmonica first. This relates to the idea that when one is bent on revenge, they want the revenge all to themselves. In order to accomplish this, Harmonica makes an absurd decision to kill the killer. **


 * Mise En Scene Example 5: **
 * Harmonica walks into the shop to find a man who knows the whereabouts of Frank, and he finds these Asian workers. They are sleeping and seem to be scared and fearful. The chain that is hanging in front of them represents their enslavement, and shows their resignation towards any chance of freedom, with possibly an underlying idea of resentment and revenge against those who put them in this lowly position. **
 * Mise En Scene Example 6: **
 * In this shot, Ms. McBain is looking out the window hefting a rifle. Her stance and pose show that she is not afraid to shoot, and that she will protect herself at all costs. This shows a new side of her, a side of hatred that is bent on revenge against the people who killed her family. **
 * Mise En Scene Example 7: **
 * Morton is pictured on the floor next to a small stream of water, and is raising his hands feebly as Frank aims his gun at him. Frank is therefore pictured as having a superior position over Morton, which is ironic because Frank was hired as Morton's gunman. Frank then decides not to shoot Morton and leave him to a painful death. This demonstrates Frank's arrogance and cruelty in treating others, which will be reflected in the way he was treated when he is killed by Harmonica. **


 * Mise En Scene Example 8: **
 * In this shot, a long shot of the McBain farm is shown, after Harmonica killed two more of Frank's men. The cross at the front of the scene signifies that death has just happened, and that there will be more death to come. **
 * Mise En Scene Example 9: **
 * As Morton the tycoon thinks about what his plan of action is since he is stuck on the train and very ill, this shot of the ocean symbolizes his desire to escape and be free again, and roam freely like the ocean does. He may also be plotting revenge against Frank or those who betrayed him. **




 * Mise En Scene Example 10: **
 * Harmonica's gun is pointed in Frank's direction instead of his own, signifying that it will be used later as a device of killing and revenge. **