The Film: Once Upon A Time In The West (1968)
The Film Thief: Henry Fonda (Frank)
Heist Moment: An outlaw so mysterious he only has one name, Frank was a big departure for Fonda, who had mostly played kind-hearted good guys.
But Sergio Leone saw something in him, and so it proved - Frank is an outstanding villain, a cold-hearted snake who murders an entirely family, including the 10-year-old son.
While Charles Bronson's equally mysterious "Harmonica" is almost his equal, Frank still stands as the film's best feature - and one of the greatest Western villains on celluloid.
Memorable Line: “People scare better when they're dying.”
Tea-Leaf Trivia: Fonda showed up with brown contacts and stubble, but Leone told him to shave and stick with his natural blue eyes. It worked to perfection...
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Comments
gambit21
Aug 11th 2009, 10:57
How could Nicholson's Joker be left out and indeed Ledger's.
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JoWareham
Aug 11th 2009, 12:34
Where is Marcia Gay Harden's terrifying Mrs Carmody from The Mist? She blows everyone else off the screen and manages to be much scarier than anything in the parking lot.
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rosco2903
Aug 11th 2009, 13:03
How could you miss Gary Oldmans scenery chewing performances in Leon or State of Grace. James Woods in The Specialist. No Clarence Boddicker, Kurgan or Hans Gruber. Hang your heads in shame TF
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pimpernel
Aug 11th 2009, 22:31
I concur with gambit21 - where's Ledger's Joker?! And Kenneth Brannagh's Iago? Toby Stephens in 'Die Another Day'? And, well I know this isn't a film, but John Simm as The Master in Doctor Who - he definitely nicked the limelight from Tennant! Totally agree about Alan Rickman in Prince of Thieves! "I'm going to cut your heart out with a spoon!" "Why a spoon cousin?" "BECAUSE IT HURTS MORE YOU IDIOT!!" Legendary...
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allykatharvey
Aug 16th 2009, 12:50
Great list! Could have been a bit longer to include Tim Roth's magnetic baddie in Rob Roy and Jeremy Northam's contribution as the almost-baddie but Wickedly-Sharper-Than-The-Hero scene stealer in Enigma! I bought the DVDs for both of these for the stunning bad guys!
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