Once Upon a Time in America is a masterpiece by director Sergio Leone. The film was released in June, 1984 and it was the last film directed by Leone. The film was released in Europe with a 229 minutes length but it was heavily trimmed by ninety minutes for the US release
Once Upon a Time in America is based on an autobiographical novel named The Hoods. The novel was penned by Harry Grey which is a penname of the author who was a gangster in real life and later turned to be an informer.
The script of Once Upon a Time in America was co-written by Leonardo Benvenuti, Piero De Bernardi, Enrico Medioli, Franco Arcalli, Franco Ferrini and Sergio Leone, the director himself. Some additional dialogues were written by Stuart Kaminsky.
Once Upon a Time in America features some famous actors like Robert De Niro (David 'Noodles' Aaronson), James Woods ('Max' Bercovicz) and Elizabeth McGovern (Deborah Gelly) in lead roles. The former two convincingly portrayed the characters of Jewish New Yorks underworld criminals.
The plot of Once Upon a Time in America revolves around the New Yorks world of organized crime. The film has two extensive flashbacks set in 1921 and 1933 respectively. The film also showcases a sequence in 1968 where an aged De Niro (Noodles) reminiscing his life in early 1920s and 1930s thus showcasing three different eras in the history of America.
The 1921 sequence of Once Upon a Time in America portrays young and poor Noodles as street punk in a Jewish ghetto. He and his gang of three other men Patsy, Cockeye and Domonic meet Max Bercovitz and start their career in crime. Soon they become successful and a local gangster, Bugsy, murders Dominic out of jealousy. The flashback sequence ends when furious Noodles kills Bugsy and an intervening police officer and is sentenced to twelve years imprisonment.
The plot of Once Upon a Time in America follows in 1933 when Noodles is freed and he reunites with his old pals and his love interest, Deborah. They were recruited by Minaldi brothers, Joe and Frankie to rob a shipment of diamonds from a jeweler. Soon there generates some disagreements between the gang members which ultimately cause the death of everybody except Noodles.
The story of Once Upon a Time in America moves ahead with the new era of 1968 Noodles comes to New York on a mysterious invitation. He soon discovers that Max is still alive as he faked death in 1933. Ultimately the movies again flashbacks to 1933 to show Noodles hiding in his hide-out. It is famous for its cinematography, long shots, the detailing and narration.
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