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IMDb > Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Once Upon a Time in America
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Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

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User Rating: 8.4/10 (49,613 votes)
Photos (see all 22 | slideshow) Videos
IMDb Coverage of Comic-Con 2008

Overview

Director:
Sergio Leone
Writers:
Harry Grey (novel)
Leonardo Benvenuti (writer) ...
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Release Date:
1 June 1984 (USA) more view trailer
Genre:
Crime | Drama more
Tagline:
Crime, passion and lust for power - Sergio Leone's explosive saga of gangland America. [Australia Theatrical] more
Plot:
A former Prohibition-era Jewish gangster returns to Brooklyn over 30 years later, where he once again must confront the ghosts and regrets of his old life. full summary | full synopsis (warning! may contain spoilers)
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 11 wins & 3 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Morricone Touched by Dion Tribute (From WENN. 27 February 2007)
Cinematographer Delli Colli Dies (From WENN. 19 August 2005)
User Comments:
Mesmerizing and haunting tale of love, greed, regret, betrayal and revenge more

Cast

 (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
C'era una volta in America (Italy)
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MPAA:
Rated R for strong violence, sexual content, language and some drug use. (edited version)
Runtime:
229 min | USA:139 min (re-cut)
Country:
Italy | USA
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
UK:18 (cut) | Portugal:M/16 | Finland:K-16 (1990) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Iceland:16 | Finland:K-18 (1984) | Australia:MA (TV rating) | Brazil:18 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | West Germany:18 (f) (original rating) (1984-2003) | Germany:16 (f) (re-rating) (2003) | Australia:R | France:-12 (re-rating) (2003) | France:-16 (original rating) | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Italy:VM14 | Japan:R-15 | Netherlands:12 (original rating) | Netherlands:16 (re-rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:18 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:R
MOVIEmeter: ?
V 11% since last week why?

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Cameo: [Arnon Milchan]Noodles's chauffeur more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: The Plymouth Valiant Duster was not available until 1970. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Beefy: Where is he? Where's he hiding?
Eve: I don't know... I've been looking for him since yesterday.
[a second goon slaps her harshly]
Beefy: I'm gonna ask you for the last time: Where is he?
Eve: I don't know... What are you gonna do to him?
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in An Opera of Violence (2003) (V) more
Soundtrack:
GOD BLESS AMERICA more

FAQ

I don't get it. Why did Mr Bailey want to get shot by Noodles?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
A NOTE REGARDING SPOILERS
more
111 out of 121 people found the following comment useful:-
Mesmerizing and haunting tale of love, greed, regret, betrayal and revenge, 29 October 1999
Author: jeanpaul-3 from Seattle

This is, for me, one of the finest examples of cinematic art. It isn't a simple, cut-n-dried 90 minute little package that gets wrapped up with a pretty bow at the end. You get pulled in by the enigmatic opening that unwinds the threads of the story to be found later. For many people having half an hour of purely visual story telling, of stories that are only mysteries at that point, before anything becomes truly linear is difficult to follow and discourages to many people. Our own memories are only snippets that only become linear as we concentrate on scenes from our lives. Once Upon a Time in America is like that as we follow Noodles through the `significant' part of his life - the times that formed him. When the story actually starts, we meet the girl that he always loved but could never have.

David `Noodles' Aaronson (DeNiro) was a kid on the very mean streets of Brooklyn when organized crime was born in America and he grew into and out of it. That's the simplest synopsis of the plot. The reality is that this isn't a movie about gangsters. Being a gangster is the easiest way for Noodles to survive and get ahead, but it also alienates and ruins his one love. Whenever he is close to giving himself to Deborah he always gets pulled back into the gang, in some form or another.

DeNiro's portrayal is of a gangster, through and through, who also has a conscience that, while not preventing him from being a ruthless killer, rules his life with regret, remorse and guilt. Leone takes a bit of poet/historic license by showing the Brooklyn Bridge being built in the background (the bridge had been built 40 years before), but it symbolizes Noodles' own growth. When the bridge is just pilings and incomplete towers, Noodles is just forming his future. By the time the bridge is complete, Noodles is nothing but a gangster and the bridge is majestic. When he returns 35 years later our view of the bridge is from under a freeway -- the world has moved along, but the bridge and Noodles are just as they were.

The length: If you're looking for a brief distraction that you'll barely remember 30 minutes later, this isn't the movie for you. However, if you are prepared and able to be undistributed for the nearly 4 hours that this film uses to compress a lifetime -- you will be rewarded with many facets of thought and examination.

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Message Boards

Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The rape of Deborah calyxcorolla
Why didn't deborah open the door? jess_briggs_78
I hate this ... gangstabladedaterror
One of the most drawn out, boring movies ever... brigibby
My take on the ending (SPOILERS) shortcigar08
Ennio Morricone score - downolad it from here chrishoward865
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