Once Upon Time America

A great Gangster movie. I love it.

This picture opened to mixed reviews. The studio quickly withdrew it from distribution and drastically cut its length. Thank heaven that this version is the original one, as the shortened one was a ham-fisted, muddled travesty Its pace is slow and it features some scenes which some might find extreme to the point of being exploitive. I weigh in on the side of those who find it to be the best of Leone's better-known films. The slow sections were handled the way they were because so much of the point of this movie is the sad, sometimes regretful reflections by the central figure on his history of lost opportunities and wrong-turns in life. One kind of moment, to be found in the show, is found in a scene you will not find in any U.S.-made gangster flick. This particular scene features a small boy who has spent all of his meager pocket money on a lush piece of pastry. He is taking it to a neighborhood girl who, it is known, will offer sexual favors in return for such offerings. Waiting for her on the stairs leading up to her apartment, he unexpectedly finds himself torn between two temptations. There is the anticipation of the gratification promised by the encounter with the girl but, right there before him, there is the cake, the chocolate icing, the sweet cream filling, the cherry on top. What will happen now if the girl keeps him waiting too long? This inventive plot device touchingly captures a vivid sense of life inside the mind of a young boy. This is a long movie, with a large and brilliant cast, and too many amazing moments to recount here. Expect the unusual, the contemplative, a deeply thoughtful quality recurring throughout this long and winding tale. It traces many decades in the lives of immigrant boys who decided that their only hope for advancement lay in crime. Watch its strange and elusive conclusion very closely. It can be a challenging picture. I found it wonderfully worth the effort required. Note the magnificent score by Ennio Morricone.

THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2014 BLU-RAY/DVD COLLECTOR'S EDITION (I'm going to try and keep this brief, but it's almost impossible when talking about this film.) In 1984 Sergio Leone, master of the long-form story of American anti-heroes (and mostly through cowboys and gunslingers) set his sights high when adapting the 1952 gangster book "The Hoods" by Harry Grey for the screen. The result is long, drawn-out, meditative and grim, a delirious event onscreen which will either dazzle you or bore you if you don't have the patience to wade through it. A brief history: In 1984, after carefully crafting the film together as he saw it, it was ready to be screened (culled from the ten hours of the actual story on film). Originally envisioned as two three-hour films, he showed a 269-minute cut (with intermission) at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival, which garnered over 15 minutes of a standing ovation. However, Warner Bros. (and their distributors The Ladd Company, who had mangled 'Blade Runner" only two years earlier) convinced him to squash all six hours down into a single 229-minute film. After carefully editing it down as best as he could, the distributors - WITHOUT LEONE'S INVOLVEMENT AND CONSENT - reshuffled and rearranged most of the scenes into an almost chronological order, which was not how the story in the book is told, and it now clocked in at a sterile 139 minutes! The film itself suffers for it immensely, with now missing scenes and plot points that would have made this much easier to understand simply if it was left alone. The result was a critical and commercial flop worldwide, although a few critics liked it. Both Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel were the one of the few lone champions of it, brutalizing the distributors for their chop job, having seen the 229 minute version at Cannes themselves, and Siskel put it on his Top Ten films of 1984. The fallout? Having been disillusioned and distraught by Hollywood, America in general, and it's decline in substance over style, it became the last film Leone ever directed. (In 2012 Martin Scorsese re-introduced Leone's 229 minute version to Cannes, and interest for this forgotten film was reignited. To this day he and Leone's children are still trying to gain back the rights to over 29 missing minutes of the film to show his almost complete 269 minute 1984 Cannes version.) The plot: So what is it about? It's all a delirious dream and memories (or maybe it isn't), but is filled with some of the best performances onscreen by Robert De Niro, Elizabeth McGovern, James Woods, Treat Williams, James Hayden, William Forsythe, Darlanne Fluegel and a cast of dozens, all trying to tell you, the viewer, a story lasting almost 50 years. I think that's all I can say because the plot is simple, but the story envelops you! You have to watch it for yourself, as it rivals "The Godfather" as one of the best gangster films ever made... that you've never seen, even in it's chopped up form. If you've ever seen the previously released 139 minute "theatrical version" on DVD, it can be confusing without mulitple viewings (like I have done over the years). Entire subplots are ripped out, and all we have left are some great bang-bangs and some sexy moments, but the subtlety of the story itself is pretty much 75% gone. When it was finally released in 2002/3 a a "Special Edition" and as a "Director's Cut," restoring it to Leone's 229 minute post-Cannes cut, it was revelatory, and those of us who truly valued this film (such as myself) were finally able to see Leone's version as he wanted to show it in theaters, complete with an intermission - try that nowadays! Now here it is, almost a decade after the 2002/3 release, and we have been given the best possible version to what Leone wanted to show, as much more scenes (but not even close to all) have been reintroduced and reshaped using his original notes. It comes in at a staggering 251 minute version (just a little over 4 hours), with the intermision. Now for the physical details: This version, that I bought here on Amazon, is the collectible Blu-Ray/DVD version, with both the 229 minute cut and the 251 minute cut available on 1 Blu-Ray disc and two DVDs (the former "Collector's Edition" from 2002/3). There's an amazing amount of new information included here, a 32-page color hardcover book with photos and production info not found almost anywhere else, but some of the same commentaries, documentaries and trailers found on the Collector's Edition, which is fine. As to the technical end: The Blu-Ray looks great onscreen, the colors are even, and even though the Italian restoring companies did a great job, it's obvious to see the lost or new scenes when it comes on - they look a little washed out, but it's to be expected considering it was from throwaway negatives, and not the original film elements. Despite that, the film's story, as envisioned by one of the great directors in our lifetime of all things Americana, is a major step forward to being complete and worth the 4 hour watch. I give it, and the restoration, and the package overall, a mighty 5 stars. Warner Home Video, who didn't help much to rescue it back when it was first released by the Ladd Company (the resulting flop almost bankrupted Ladd, just as they were recovering two years earlier when they took "Blade Runner" and screwed that all up too), has finally delivered a package worth holding on to! You'll enjoy it, if you love the gangsters, the drama, and the story, told by one of the masters, and this should most definitely be in your collection! (Thanks for reading, please leave a thanks if you liked it, and then check out my other so-so reviews of other items for sale here on Amazon.)

This version is not the Blu-Ray but it's truly a clear and beautiful print of this Leone classic. As far as I'm concerned this particular DVD version is probably as good as the Blu-Ray version. I can't imagine how it could be of lower quality because I was impressed, totally satisfied and pleasantly surprised by the quality of these DVD's. I own plenty of Blu-Rays so I know the difference between a lower quality DVD and a top notch Blu-Ray. The only reason I didn't purchase the Blu-Ray version is because at my particular time of purchase (summer of 2021) I was not finding the restored 4 1/2 hour version in Blu-Ray so I opted to try out the DVD. You may ask why I only gave four stars as a review. I'll explain further down. That said, anyone purchasing this DVD version of the film (or Blu-Ray, for that matter) should realize that the quality of the 22 minutes of restored footage IS indeed of a lesser quality. This was apparently the best source material that could be found so you will immediately know when a scene pops up that is part of the newly discovered footage. However, this lesser quality is STILL better quality than I expected and is incorporated relatively seamlessly into the rest of the film. Personally speaking, I feel that there are only two scenes of added footage which perhaps give a little more insight and clarity to the story but NONE of the added footage adds any great depth or revelations to what was seen in the 3hr, 50 minute version. Being a film buff, I really appreciated seeing this footage added but now that I have seen this longest version, I am of the opinion that it really wasn't necessary to add all of it. There are many short little moments in which I merely felt, "Well, I can understand why they cut that." On the other hand, the artists in charge of restoration were probably so intent on completely restoring Leone's work (after how it was originally re-edited and destroyed in the United States in 1984) that they just felt like throwing ANY lost footage into THIS restoration. My reasons for giving only a four star review: I have one complaint about this DVD presentation. Being the long feature that it is, it was placed on two discs, which is fine. However, the standard format for DVD or Blu-Ray transfers of episodic films is to place the first half of the film, from start to intermission, on the first disc and the remainder of the film on the second disc. With THIS two disc set, three quarters of the first half of the movie (prior to intermission) are on disc 1 and the remainder is on disc 2. THEN in the middle of disc 2, the "Intermission" title card pops up, fades out, and then the movie just continues until the end. This was a bit annoying because the cut-off on the first disc is done at a rather intense moment of the film, just as a gun battle is concluding. Nothing is missing and it picks up immediately on disc 2 but it breaks the momentum and tension of the moment. I haven't seen a long film divided this way since the old days of VHS video tapes. If they had to do it that way, they should have simply waited until the conclusion of the scene, not cut out in the middle of the scene. Bonus features are sparse. There is an approximately 20-30 minute segment about Sergio Leone's making of the film which is apparently an excerpt taken from an entire documentary about Sergio Leone's career. Why not just include the entire documentary? I would assume that most people purchasing this DVD would be a fan of Sergio Leone. Also included are two trailers. SO....not great bonus features, although what IS included regarding the making of the film is interesting. Bottom line; if you're just interested in seeing a fine quality print of this restored version and you don't care a lot about bonus features, this is probably a good buy for you.

First up, let me say I'm a big fan of the film. There are many who don't care for it, complaining it's too slow, too long, etc., etc. To each their own, while I admit it's not perfect, it's close. It was probably the last big-budget epic film with real people and not computer trickery, on that point alone it's amazing. It's a shame that during Sergio Leone's lifetime he wasn't as revered as today, but to his eternal credit, he knew what he wanted and moved heaven and earth to realize his vision. Every film of his beginning with " The Good, The Bad & The Ugly " was butchered by studios, recut and remolded without his input, but time has been kind. With all these films, including " Once Upon a Time in the West " and " Duck You Sucker aka A Fistful of Dynamite ," now available in versions that honor his vision, we and future generations can now enjoy the work of a master craftsman...... When I first became aware that the 2014 Extended Director's Cut was on the pre-release timetable I sold my original 2011 Blu-ray. If you're thinking about buying this and doing the same, I advise you to search out the single-disc Extended Director's Cut, and keep your older Blu-ray. The new two-disc Collector's Edition has the same "Director's Cut" as re-released in 2011. Upon initial viewing I thought it had been re-remastered as well, but a more intense comparison proved me wrong. The new expanded edition looks fantastic, the detail and clarity is palpable and exhibits more depth and some nice grain. The biggest difference between the two is the color reproduction, the Extended Version's palate is totally different than the 2011's. It has a more brownish-almost-sepia "aged" look as opposed to the original Blu-ray release which had a more "standard" look, which some viewers might prefer. The film as a whole is darker as well, you only have to compare the very first scene, where Eve comes into Noodle's room, to notice the differences between the two. I might add that the effect is subtle, not overdone as in the original version of HEAVEN'S GATE. I also didn't realize that most of the added footage doesn't match the quality of the rest of the film and has a "washed out" appearance. Quite a few reviewers don't think the added footage adds much to the original release either. In some cases I agree, but some of it fills in some plot holes and better explains character motivations, it's a shame it's not in perfect shape. The two-disc set comes in a nice sturdy slipcase containing a small hardcover book and a standard two-disc blu-ray case...... So, what is the extra footage you may ask? Here's a rundown of what's added with my opinion of it's value. Obviously there are going to be MAJOR SPOILERS (and dissenting readers), you've been warned! There are six additional scenes: 1. After "Noodles" (Robert De Niro) goes to the mausoleum where he finds the bus station (Grand Central?) locker key, there is a scene with Louise Fletcher as the cemetery manager, while they talk, Noodles notices a black Cadillac that seems to be following him until he walks toward it, causing it to pull away. After my first viewing I felt it was the most superfluous of the six, maybe because it's also in the worst shape and jarring at first. After a second viewing I found that it, and the one that follows later on, helps explain Noodles initial paranoia (1:34:49-1:38:21).... 2. Noodles is outside Secretary Bailey's (James Woods) gate and sees the now famous garbage truck ("35"). The black Caddy is shown leaving Bailey's compound, and as Noodles is watching it go down the street, it explodes. The scene helps support two later, when Noodles is watching a TV report of the incident at Fat Moe's (Larry Rapp) and of course, the finale (2:08:39-2:10:35).... 3. Making small-talk with the chauffeur (producer Arnon Milchon!) while waiting for Deborah (Elizabeth McGovern) to go on their elaborate date, Noodles mentions the persecution of the Jews in Germany and that he's Jewish. The driver says he knows, and that he is Jewish as well, studying for a degree. He chides him for being a Jewish (and imitation Italian) gangster, making Noodles defensive, bragging about how much money he makes. Interesting, but it really doesn't add much except reinforcing why Noodles doesn't retaliate when the chauffeur shows his disgust and refuses Noodle's money after the rape (2:34:00-2:35:10).... 4. After Deborah's rape there's a scene showing how he met his girlfriend Eve (the one who gets gunned down in the beginning). This scene later cuts to an extension of the scene showing Deborah preparing to take the train to California. The scene helps explain why he stays with her after their initial one-night stand (she's nice) (2:48:13-2:54:00).... 5. Deborah is shown performing the lead in Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra" with Noodles in the audience. It's the final scene in the play where she commits suicide by asp. Her soliloquy about being the downfall of Caesar and Antony is obviously meant to be a comment on the Max/Noodles paradigm. The scene leads into where they talk in her dressing room (3:28:03-3:30:20).... 6. This scene adds the most to the emotional balance of the film, and quite frankly I can't understand why it was cut. At Bailey/Max's party, after the shot where Max is looking out the window at his son, it cuts to a scene with Jimmy O'Donnell (Treat Williams) that explains more fully why Bailey/Max is in trouble. At one point Treat's character even recommends he commit suicide. After Treat leaves, Noodles comes in as in the previous versions. This scene is the lengthiest addition and sort of puts to rest the view that the whole movie is Noodle's "opium dream." Max's self-loathing and sense of defeat throughout both scenes lends credence to his choice of "death by garbage truck" (3:41:42-3:46:45).... All in all, if you're a fan of the film, this version's a must. At first I wasn't sure if I liked the color palate, but upon a second viewing I kind of prefer it, the brownish hues lends a more autumnal quality to the film as a whole. The older "Director's Cut wasn't too shabby either, and as I've noted I'm sure many other viewers will prefer it's brighter picture and more vibrant colors. Leone fans will want to have both. An essential purchase......

Now, I am by no means a Sergio Leone fan, but he deserved the Oscar for Direction for this film. I firmly believe that this film stands up there with "The Godfather, Part II", "Casablanca", and "Citizen Kane" as one of the greatest films ever released (maybe the best). Sergio Leone's violent, visual, masterpiece of turn of the century Jewish boys from New York growing into a life of crime has a different effect on all those who have viewed it in its various forms. I, personally have never seen the shortened version so I can not comment on it. There isn't anything in this film that isn't worth the four hour running time. Brilliant, poetic visuals, great photography and fantastic performances across the board. Leone touches on issues of violence (the scenes are gory and sometimes explicit), sexual depravity (its no coincidence that all sexual encounters are in unconventional places and only in Noodles' rape of Deborah does he exhibit any kind of emotion toward any of his partners, gently caressing and kissing her as he violates her in a pathetic attempt to show his love), and simply growing old (brought about by the reminisces of Noodles' childhood with a beautiful good 'ol days type feeling despite the criminal nature of his childhood) and leaves us clamoring for more after the four hours are through. Robert DeNiro is fantastic as always as Noodles. But it is James Woods, in my opinion that steals the show as Max. William Forsythe, Treat Williams, Danny Aiello, Burt Young, Joe Pesci, Jennifer Connely and Tuesday Weld add to this film just as actors of their quality are expected to. Their performances, as well as the two leads at the very least deserved, but didn't recieve any, Academy Award nominations. (In fact, the Oscars were the only ceremony to snub this film). Ennio Morricone's score was as beautiful and evocative as one would expect from the master of the Italian score. Worth seeing. Sit back, take the phone off the hook and prepare for a cinematic experience.

I already own this film but in an earlier version which runs about 229 minutes. This happens to be one of my very favorite films; one of Sergio Leones best in my humble opinion. Terrfic cast, interesting story, beautifully filmed, with one of the most haunting film scores by Ennio Morricone. The studio recut the film and it was a disaster on it's release and was one of the worse films in 1984. It was restored and was later considered one of the best films of the decade. This version runs 251 minutes and gives more defintion to the story. The quality of the footage being added is quite easily identifiable as the clarity of the film is not as good. If you're a fan of the film then it is worth buying the Director's Cut even if owning the earlier version. if not, and you own the original 229 minute release, stick with that.

When I ordered this as the extended director's cut, I thought I was getting a more complete version of the movie that I already had which was not advertised as an extended director's cut. I was wrong, both are 229 minutes, so I now own two copies. Before I start, I have to give a spoiler warning. Some may find this movie overly long, but I had no problem with that. I will say though, that if you don't stick with it, you could become lost as it goes numerous times to and from three separate eras: when the gangsters were young street punks in the early 20's doing low level jobs for the Mob, when they were Mob guys themselves in the 30's, and when DeNiro and Woods were elderly adults in late 60's. The acting by all is superb, and the scenes, props, and sets depicting the 20's and 30's are very accurate and I should add, considering it is after all a Mob movie, there's violence. The musical score is haunting, and a particularly sad and moving scene in the movie was the transition of DeNiro's appearance from a young man leaving NYC to an old man returning over 30 years later, the scene greatly enhanced by the musical score morphing into the Beatles' "Yesterday". I could have lived without the overly long ringing telephone and the never ending coffee stirring, but that's only my opinion. There are scenes which imply the genesis of the modern Cosa Nostra where independent gangs are united as when the Mob boss, Minaldi(Joe Pesci) attempts to bring DeNiro's crew into the fold and later succeeds when Max(James Woods) makes it happen by betraying his gang. Some believe, because of the opium den scene in the end, that all that's depicted in the movie was a drug induced hallucination. I do not. There's no way in the early 30's that someone was going to accurately foresee and picture a frisbee, a mid-60's Pontiac and other mid-60's vehicles, complete neighborhood demographic changes, The Big Apple NYC designation, a modern garbage truck, Mr. Bailey's(James Woods) Model 36 S&W .38 Chiefs Special introduced in 1950, and, most telling of all, television. To this day, I can't come up with a definite conclusion regarding the cause of death of the James woods character at the very end, or did he die at all. I don't watch this movie often, but when I do, I still enjoy it, especially when the characters were young because I grew up in the 40's and 50's in a NYC Mob run slum very similar in appearance and criminal activity depicted in the movie. If you like Mob movies, you should enjoy this one even if simply for the acting.