Once Upon a Time in America is a 1984 American epic crime drama film co-written and directed by Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone and starring Robert De Niro and James Woods. Based on Harry Grey's novel The Hoods, it chronicles the lives of Jewish ghetto youths who rise to prominence in New York City's world of organized crime. The film explores themes of childhood friendships, love, lust, greed, betrayal, loss, broken relationships, and the rise of mobsters in American society.

It was the final film of Leone's career and the first feature film he had directed in thirteen years. The cinematography was by Tonino Delli Colli, and Ennio Morricone provided the film score. It is the final installment in Leone's Once Upon a Time Trilogy, preceded by Once Upon a Time in the West and Once Upon a Time... the Revolution.

Leone originally intended for the film to be released as two three-hour films, but was convinced by distributors to shorten it to a single 229-minute film. The film's American distributors, The Ladd Company, decided to further shorten it to 139 minutes, and rearrange the scenes into chronological order, without Leone's involvement. The shortened version was a critical and commercial flop in the United States, and critics who had seen both versions harshly criticized the changes that were made. The original "European cut" has remained a critical favorite, and frequently appears in lists of the greatest gangster films of all time.





still one of the geatest gangster films ever made,

I like the part where she sold her pussy for a Charlotte Russe.

Sergio leone classic. Its a rare gangster film....almost mythical or dreamlike

I agree. Seeing the actors transition from youth to senior adulthood was quite emotional (the way we were). To tell you the truth though, I didn't understand why Wood's character was killed(?).

Easily, among my top five gangster flicks. I saw it for the first time only a couple of years ago and watch it on my phone with the Showbox app whenever I have the chance. It's a bit confusing at times, but I think it's an accurate portrayal of the Prohibition Era, in terms of the racketeer's. I really hated the part where De Niro's character rapes the woman whom he knew all his life because I think she was getting married to someone else. Showed his character as the savage he really was underneath the calm demeanor.

yeah a good film

Incredible film and you can see why is took Leone so long to make. Epic direction and film making..

I will tell you what I did not like about it. It was not a free flowing story with a beginning, middle and an ending.

It is a series of scenes. Like a terrentino movie. I guess terrentino Stole the idea from leoni.

I don't like that in a movie In general.

The final American version that showed on Television (?) was made into chronological order. But to do that, I believe they sacrificed some of the scenes and the overall length of the film.

I first saw the movie on television when I was twelve. I thought it was called Made In America. I searched for this movie forever. Keep in mind, google wasnt around yet. Then when I was 18, amc was playing a movie: Once Upon A Time In America. Six fucking years with the wrong title. I watched a couple times while it was being aired and thought I had seen it in its entirety. Last year I streamed it on my amazon fire box and was once again surprised. It took 18 years to see the whole movie. So much had been left out. When I was younger I felt bad for Noodles. Now, I feel he should have been more ambitious. One more thing, how do I change my member name? Blueracing347 doesn't quite fit this forum.

I think any member with less than 50 posts can change their profile name, you must contact a admin..

Currently on Netflix! Looks like the director's cut, too, not that horribly disjointed VHS one they used to have at Blockbuster back in the day.

At both the Best Buy and Walmart near me they have the 2 disc Director's Cut blu ray in the $5 bargain bins. I picked up a copy. Great flick. I used to rent this on VHS, the Ma and Pa video store had the official Sergio cut, not the edited down version like Oak is talking about. They really butchered it with the editing. Was a two tape set. Longest movie I had ever seen. And I loved it. I used to have a birthday tradition of watching this every other year. Or having it on in the background while me and friends got shit-faced to be more accurate. Ha.

caught this on netflix the other day but didn't get around to finishing it... always loved this movie. a true saga.

I know people love this movie.

I don’t get it. Boring as hell.

I remember everyone recommending it back in the 90s. I got this VHS 2 tape version at Blockbuster that made no sense. It was definitely a long version, like 4 hours, but I think the 1968 scenes with old Noodles that connected the flashback scenes from the 1930s must have been cut out. They were the first thing I noticed when I finally saw the correct version of the film on Netflix a couple of years ago. They are key to the film. This film was screwed with so much by the producers that a lot of people close to Sergio Leone believe it's what gave him a heart attack.

Di Nero stirring his coffee for an eternity was improvised. An unimpressed Leone asked him "what are you doing" and DI Nero replied "sorry it's just something I would of expected to have seen in one of your spaghetti westerns" and Leone gave a huge smile while proudly agreeing with him. They had a great relationship, they were always trying to outwit and impress each other. Di Nero in preparation for his role requested to meet Myer lansky who said a big no. James Hayden rising star smack overdose before the films release very sad. He was close friends with Pacino.

I didn't know that about James Hayden. How tragic. I actually thought that was Christopher Penn for a second.