The American, which was released this past week, is a fantastic ode to spaghetti westerns and one film in particular. Once Upon a Time in the West was obviously a huge inspiration on director Anton Corbijn as the film has many references to Sergio Leone’s masterpiece. Once Upon a Time in the West is my favorite western for many reasons, such as: Henry Fonda’s diabolic turn, the spaghetti western using vast western iconography, the magnolia plot weaving to Charles Bronson’s ultimate reveal, but the one that matters here is Ennio Morricone’s score. Morricone is responsible for some really great work throughout the years (The Thing, The Untouchables, Mission to Mars,  State of Grace), but it is with Leone that he created some to the most iconic movie music of all time.

Most film fans would probably site The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly theme as the seminal piece of his career, and I would probably agree. However, I feel that Morricone’s two best pieces of work are, “Ecstasy of Gold” from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly and the theme to Once Upon a Time in the West. Check out the latter below.

For more on Once Upon a Time in the West, check out Mr. Will’s review of The American.