Good questions, all.

I too, have read the book, browsed the screenplay and seen the movie many times. I've never much bought into the whole opium dream theory, especially after reading the book. However, it should be said, that all of the "contemorary" scenes were from Leone's imagination, not Grey/Goldberg's, so how can we ever be sure?

As puzzling as some people find it, I love the ending. I always have.