The Next Reel Film Podcast

Does Leone’s fourth western stand up to his earlier trilogy? How is Henry Fonda as the baddie? Can Leone handle a woman being one of the main characters? Tune in to this week’s show to hear these answers and more.

Show Notes

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"You don’t sell the dream of a lifetime."

Sergio Leone didn’t want to return to westerns after his Man With No Name trilogy – he already felt like made his western epic and wanted to move on to something else. When Paramount offered him a three picture deal with a big budget AND Henry Fonda though, he couldn’t pass it up and he found himself returning to the well once again. But would it work as well as his previous films did? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our celebration of films and series from 1968 by digging into Leone’s Once Upon a Time trilogy, starting it off in 1968 with his western masterpiece Once Upon a Time in the West.

We talk about why Leone decided to get back into westerns and how he and collaborators Bernardo Bertolucci and Dario Argento infused the project with elements from countless of their favorite westerns. We look at the patience of Leone’s storytelling and why it works so well here. We discuss the key actors – Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale and Jason Robards – and look at what they each bring to the table. We chat about Ennio Morricone and his themes for each of the principal characters and the luxury of having pre-recorded score to play on set. And we look at some of the marvelous locations they film in and why they work so well to create this western world.

It’s a strong entry into the western genre and into Leone’s oeuvre, and is a film we have a great time watching and discussing. Check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.

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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.