The film features leitmotifs that relate to each of the main characters (with their own theme music), as well as to the spirit of the American West.

As an adult, in his middle age, Rumplestiltskin, has a slender build, but not as weak as may seem his hair becomes darker and lose the blonde highlights, his features became more pronounced as well as his nose, his eyes appear sunken in the orbits and show the hairs typical of an adult. In the same episode the Mad Hatter's name, Jefferson, alludes to the 1960s psychedelia band Jefferson Airplane, who had a hit record with the song "White Rabbit". Enchanted: When the Snow Queen comes to New York for the first time, her impressions, reactions, and the curiosity that she was for citizen are reminiscent to Princess Giselle's coming in the city. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves: Prince James, as a boy, was wearing a kid sized prince clothing replica from the animated film, while in Pleasure Island. However, after she is taken hostage by Gothel for a period of time before leaving to the New Enchanted Forest with her sister, he has hope that another Guardian will appear.To his disappointment, he could not get rid of the Dark One powers; he learned a Guardian is to take them from him.

In the episode "Into the Deep", the poppy Mulan uses to make the sleeping powder appears in both book and movie of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Regina did the same thing while she and the Charmings go rescue Jiminy Cricket from the Serum Queen and Zelena. Shane (1953): The massacre scene in West features young Timmy McBain out hunting with his father, just as Joey does in this movie. At this point in his life, Rumplestiltskin is scared and desperate, but willing to do what is necessary to save Baelfire and, following this instinct, Rumplestiltskin, alone, attacked the duke's castle and steals a magical dagger that allows him to kill the Dark One and gain his powers.When he is later "woken up" by Tilly, his assistant in both this world and the New Enchanted Forest, he remembers he's Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold, he remains as manipulate and capable of elaborate and carry on complicated plans to achieve any goal. For example, many items found in the Lost universe, such as Apollo candy bars, Oceanic Airlines, and MacCutcheon Whisky, can be seen in Once Upon a Time. When Cinderella tried to left her world for the Land of Untold Stories with the magical key, she open a similar closet used by the children from the movie. Transfiguration/Shapeshifting: Rumplestiltskin is able to turning human beings into animals or changing the physical aspect of himself or others.

However, the rest of the cast had to be dubbed by other actors – including Claudia Cardinale, who was dubbed by actress Joyce Gordon, Gabriele Ferzetti, who was voiced by Gordon's husband, Bernard Grant, and Jack Elam.When Jill condemns Harmonica for saving Frank's life, he replies "I didn't let them (Frank's men) kill him and that's not the same thing". This director's cut was available on home video until the early 2000s, and still airs on TV, but more recent home-video releases have used the international cut. In subsequent years, the film developed a greater standing among critics, as well as a cult following. La Calahorra: escenario de WEsterns" Archived 17 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Guía Repsol, 10 October 2015 (in Spanish).