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Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
1 June 1984 (USA)
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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
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Golden Globes.
Another 11 wins
&
3 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(16 articles)
Clip joint: the best film clips featuring montages
(From The Guardian - Film News. 10 December 2009, 7:35 AM, PST)
'Red Cliff' Just the Latest Film Re-Edited for American Consumption
(From CinemaSpy. 26 November 2009, 9:10 PM, PST)
(From The Guardian - Film News. 10 December 2009, 7:35 AM, PST)
'Red Cliff' Just the Latest Film Re-Edited for American Consumption
(From CinemaSpy. 26 November 2009, 9:10 PM, PST)
User Reviews:
A Profound Expression of Truth Regarding Friendship andBetrayal
more (386 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Robert De Niro | ... | David 'Noodles' Aaronson | |
| James Woods | ... | Maximilian 'Max' Bercovicz | |
| Elizabeth McGovern | ... | Deborah Gelly | |
| Joe Pesci | ... | Frankie Manoldi | |
| Burt Young | ... | Joe | |
| Tuesday Weld | ... | Carol | |
| Treat Williams | ... | James Conway O'Donnell | |
| Danny Aiello | ... | Police Chief Vincent Aiello | |
| Richard Bright | ... | Chicken Joe | |
| James Hayden | ... | Patrick 'Patsy' Goldberg | |
| William Forsythe | ... | Philip 'Cockeye' Stein | |
| Darlanne Fluegel | ... | Eve (as Darlanne Fleugel) | |
| Larry Rapp | ... | 'Fat' Moe Gelly | |
| Richard Foronjy | ... | Officer 'Fartface' Whitey (as Richard Foronji) | |
| Robert Harper | ... | Sharkey |
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)
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
229 min | USA:139 min (re-cut)
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Finland:K-16 (1990) |
Finland:K-18 (1984) |
Canada:13+ (Quebec) |
Canada:18A |
Iceland:16 |
UK:18 (cut) |
Brazil:14 |
Germany:16 (f) (re-rating) (2003) |
West Germany:18 (f) (original rating) (1984-2003) |
Portugal:M/16 |
Australia:R |
France:U (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
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Gérard Depardieu very much wanted a role in the movie and was prepared to learn English with the appropriate Brooklynese accent.
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Goofs:
Factual errors: When the cargo floats to the surface in the scene in the harbor, the crates are floating with the balloons out and on top of the water, offering no extra buoyancy, and therefore not needed.
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Quotes:
[first lines]
[In 1933, two goons rudely question a young woman]
Beefy: Where is he? Where's he hiding?
Eve: I don't know... I've been looking for him since yesterday.
[second goon slaps her harshly; she falls onto the bed]
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?
[Two shots are head]
Beefy: [to his partner] Stay here in case that rat shows up...
more
[In 1933, two goons rudely question a young woman]
Beefy: Where is he? Where's he hiding?
Eve: I don't know... I've been looking for him since yesterday.
[second goon slaps her harshly; she falls onto the bed]
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?
[Two shots are head]
Beefy: [to his partner] Stay here in case that rat shows up...
more
Movie Connections:
References Les quatre cents coups (1959)
more
Soundtrack:
SUMMERTIME (from PORGY AND BESS)
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FAQ
What was the significance of the garbage truck outside of Mr. Bailey's house?A Note Regarding Spoilers
What is the book Noodles reads as a kid when he's in the bathroom?
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more (386 total)
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This film is a profound expression of truth regarding friendship and betrayal. Noodles, played by Robert De Niro and Scott Tiler (during childhood), is a simple man and a thug with one credo: you can battle the entire world but you never betray a friend. During the course of this film we experience various pieces of Noodles's life, from childhood, through young adulthood and old age. We learn what happens to his friends, his foes and the love of his life, Deborah. The time span considered is long, including Noodles's childhood shortly after the turn of the century, through the prohibition era, and finally the 1960's.
The film is about relationships; the many years Noodles spends away from his friends receive only a cursory mention. The film, like life and memories, unfolds slowly and reflectively. Sergio Leone's cuts are long and each scene is beautifully amplified my Ennio Morricone's haunting score. The story is not told chronologically. Instead, the chapters of the story are slowly revealed like pieces of a great jigsaw puzzle. Each delicious piece might make us laugh, or cry, or smile, or feel shock. But, as each piece falls into place, a mystery unfolds. When the final piece is revealed, the true essence of the story becomes clear and a sad and beautiful tapestry comes into view.
This film is a true masterpiece, expressing a profound statement about friendship and betrayal, with fantastic acting, writing, directing and music. There is a shortened, two-and-a-half-hour version of the film released that is a disaster. It is like trying to understand a jigsaw puzzle with half of the pieces missing. The original four-hour film can be viewed and enjoyed several times and each time the viewer will see something new.