10 Best Performances In Western Movies
4. Henry Fonda As Frank - Once Upon A Time In The West (1968)
Though Fonda initially turned down the role of Frank in Sergio Leone's 1968 flick, his performance in the film is perhaps one of his most beloved.
Up to this point, Henry Fonda was predominantly cast as the protagonist of his projects and Frank, a hired gunman and villain of the tale, was an immense deviation from Fonda's regular roles. Once Upon a Time in the West would be a turning point for the actor, with his later years in Hollywood being dedicated to darker, more morally grey characters than his previous works. It's of no surprise that the change would come after Leone's 1968 picture, as Fonda's performance in the film was simply unforgettable.
His introduction to the story is immensely gripping, with the swift dispatch of the McBain family being Frank's first significant act in the film. Fonda's rugged good looks and threatening aura make the character immediately intimidating, and his wicked performance would maintain throughout.
Though surely benefitting from Sergio Leone's brilliance, there's simply no denying that Fonda's unsettling performance was amongst the genre's greats. A more villainous western antagonist you could not wish to encounter.