This or Once Upon a Time in the West
Which do you think is the better movie?
shareTough call... honestly, I couldn't pick one over the other.
Both have excellent stories and some fantastic directing. I can't think of any movie that beats the opening sequence of WEST. It's a master class in how to use a wide-screen. Although the story is good too, there are some specific scenes that suffer from inconsistency. For example, the post-sex scene between Frank and Jane where she appears to have genuine affection for him. This has been attributed to a incomplete script and/or Cardinale's poor acting.
There are also different versions of the end floating around out there. The first time I saw it, there was a long sequence where Harmonica slows circles Frank at the end as Morricone's cool music swells to a dramatic crescendo, and they draw guns. The next time I saw it, that sequence was gone and it was reduced to just a shootout.
Meanwhile, the ending of GBU is iconic and better than West imo. The tension just builds and builds and builds, again with Morricone's music amping up the sheer majesty of the moment. The movie does drag a bit as we follow the trails of the trio.
I call it a draw. (See what I did there...)