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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:
(14 articles)
Jean-Jacques Beineix: The Hollywood Interview
(From The Hollywood Interview. 14 July 2009, 4:20 PM, PDT)
Enemies in Public: Top 10 Gangster Movies
(From ReelzChannel. 1 July 2009, 9:39 AM, PDT)
(From The Hollywood Interview. 14 July 2009, 4:20 PM, PDT)
Enemies in Public: Top 10 Gangster Movies
(From ReelzChannel. 1 July 2009, 9:39 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Leone's "Godfather" Version, And About As Good
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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:
In June 1982, prior to the start of filming, Sergio Leone tried to contact Harry Grey to tell him the good news of his story being made into a film. Grey's wife told Leone that her husband had died a few weeks earlier.
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Goofs:
Anachronisms: The Plymouth Valiant Duster was not available until 1970.
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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:
Featured in Bullets Over Hollywood (2005) (TV)
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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?What is the book Noodles reads as a kid when he's in the bathroom?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
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Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb top 250 movies | IMDb Crime section |
| IMDb Italy section | Add this title to MyMovies |



This Godfather-type film was done by Sergio Leone, of spaghetti-western fame, so you know you will see and experience several of his trademarks. Namely: (1) a lot of facial closeups; (2) some slow-motion or slow-moving dramatic scenes; (3) good overall photography and (4) a unique soundtrack.
The period sets here are magnificent. You get a real feel of the time, whether it's 1910, 1933 or 1967. The colors are awash in blacks, browns and grays and the DVD brings all these out very well, especially considering the film is over 20 years old.
Despite some of Leone's slow moments, this is a fascinating film to watch for the story, too. There are numerous memorable scenes, some of them involving some downright shocking violence, even for today's movies. However, the amount of violence is less than what you see today.
The movie also sports an interesting twist near the end involving the two major characters, played by Robert De Niro and James Woods. The story is not always clear, either, so be prepared to be possibly confused about a few things....at least on the first viewing. Confused or not, this film always is fascinating to view, especially with intense actors such as the two men just mentioned, along with Elizabeth McGovern, Tuesday Weld, Joe Pecsi, Burt Young, Treat Williams and more.
The child actors in here take up almost half the movie and are excellent. What an injustice they don't receive any publicity for their acting, especially the kids who played De Niro and Woods as youngsters. One of the girls has become a famous adult actress: Jennifer Connelly. She was 12 years old in this film and was already alluring.
This is Godfather-type crime movie that ranks right up there with that famous film, not taking a back seat to it at all.