Beautiful widow Jill McBain (Cardinale) inherits land through which a new railroad will pass, and the unscrupulous railroad brass hires a notorious killer (Fonda) to get her out of the way. Thank Goodness Harmonica (Bronson) and Cheyenne (Robards) are on hand to protect the lady... and also ready to settle some past scores with the assassin.

With due respect to director Leone's famous trilogy — the one that launched Clint Eastwood's career — this epic remains my favorite, boasting a complexity and assurance that benefit from the presence of two brilliant actors playing against type: Fonda and Robards. Bronson also turns in fine work, as does the exquisite Cardinale. Perfect fare for a rainy day.