Though some viewers might be put off by its length, graphic violence, and absence of likable characters, Sergio Leone's final film is also a cinematic masterpiece. Spanning four decades, the film tells the story of David "Noodles" Aaronson (Robert De Niro) and his Jewish pals, chronicling their childhoods on New York's Lower East Side in the 1920s, through their gangster careers in the 1930s, and culminating in Noodles' 1968 return to New York from self-imposed exile, at which time he learns the truth about the fate of his ...
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Though some viewers might be put off by its length, graphic violence, and absence of likable characters, Sergio Leone's final film is also a cinematic masterpiece. Spanning four decades, the film tells the story of David "Noodles" Aaronson (Robert De Niro) and his Jewish pals, chronicling their childhoods on New York's Lower East Side in the 1920s, through their gangster careers in the 1930s, and culminating in Noodles' 1968 return to New York from self-imposed exile, at which time he learns the truth about the fate of his friends and again confronts the nightmare of his past. The acting, the re-creation of the time period, the cinematography, and the music are all superb. However, even more important is Leone's ability to make the film work on so many different levels: it's both a criticism of gangster-film mythology and a continuation of the director's exploration of the issues of time and history. Strange as it may seem, the violence and gore in the first half of the film turn into a sad elegy about wasted lives and lost love. The film's strengths emerge only in its full 229-minute version -- the 139-minute and other edited versions don't make nearly the same impact. Yuri German, Rovi
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Add this copy of Once Upon a Time in America (Two-Disc Special Edition) to cart. $16.94, new condition, Sold by Good Books Will Follow rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Blue Springs, MO, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Warner Brothers.
Add this copy of Once Upon a Time in America (Dvd) (New) to cart. $19.94, new condition, Sold by 86 Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Maplewood, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by New Regency.
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Seller's Description:
New. Size: 0x7x5; brand new in original shrinkwrap; NTSC Region 1 formatting for playback in the US & Canada; because we care that your order arrives in the condition stated, we have additionally sealed the case in bubblewrap for added protection during shipment.
Add this copy of Once Upon a Time in America [WS] [Special Edition] [2 to cart. $28.50, new condition, Sold by groovaciousrecords rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Cedar City, UT, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Warner Home Video.
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Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Treat Williams, Tuesday Weld. New in new packaging. 2 discs. Language: English. Run time: 229 mins. Originally released: 1984. factory sealed brand new not a promo or cutout
Add this copy of Once Upon a Time in America [Special Edition] to cart. $93.06, new condition, Sold by Entertainment by Post - UK rated 2.0 out of 5 stars, ships from BRISTOL, SOUTH GLOS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1984 by Warner Brothers.
Leone's masterpiece is majestic, gritty, captivating, riveting, beautifully written, filmed, scored and acted. I feel any film devotee should see it again and again. But: be sure you see it only in the 3hour plus version Leone intended. Bowdlerized versions were released in the US, cut further for tv and some cd releases. Don't go anywhere near them!