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Summary: Masterpiece, with all the ingredients of the prohibition era
Review: Sergio Leone brings to the screen all the nostalgy, violence, love, friendship, betrayal and madness lived during the prohibition. Presents the background of their need and love for money and power and the regrets and consequences of a life lived that way. Excellent performances by De Niro and Woods give and additional incentive to watch the longer version. Finally, the soundtrack rounds up a perfect package, making this one of the best pictures of all times (my personal favorite). Positively, well worth the 4 hours!!!!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best films ever made!
Review: This film should be shown to every director before he makes and epic, because the sheer grandness of this movie is unrivaled. The cinamography is spectacular, giving us large views of New York City, but somehow keeping us confined in a small three block area in the center of skid row. De Niro gives his usual unremorseful performance, and Woods gives us a ranting and raving Max, which fits perfectly with story. The real stars are the kids who play the young gangsters as they earn their place on the streets. The film is long, but what a great time I have every time I watch it! I owe you, Sergio Leone, you are truely a master of filmmaking!
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Summary: One of the most memorable and poignant films I have seen
Review: This is a movie and a story that one cannot forget. A story of trust and betrayal and of sincerity.My only regret is that I cannot find a copy of the incredible soundtrack which transforms you to the time and place that is "Once Upon A Time In America". Ooohs and Aaahs!!!
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Summary: A movie for those who like the story of 'the gangster'
Review: I saw this movie (4 hour version) in 1986 on a pay t.v. station. I have watched it once every couple of years since.
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Summary: It is a cinematic revelation
Review: Let it be said here and now, Once upon a Time in America, is the greatest film made about the Prohibition era in America. Does this mean that it is not flawed? No, of course not. Certain parts of the film are very far concieved, but this does not take away from the lure and the majesty of the power of Sergio Leone's epic film. Not only has Leone re-created the feel of an era that has long sense past, but he has also shown an irresistible passion for film that is very seldomly replicated in cinema today. It is truly a masterpiece of a film. I cannot think of another film I would rather spend four hours with.
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Summary: The sadness of young men growing old in the 20th Century USA
Review: Few films manage to successfully combine friendship, love violence and brutality in a form that is easily recognisable in the modern age. The relationships between a group of children growing up then growing old is beautifully captured in this moving feature. It will take several viewings to fully grasp the story and all it's twists - but I never tire of replaying it despite it's length. De Niro is simply brilliant.
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Summary: Nostalgia could never be more profound
Review: Once upon a time in America There was Noodles, and there were people in his life that made sense to him, that he loved. But life took its harsh turns and the emotional pain Noodles went through, the love of his life... For anyone who has felt , here is a movie that will take you away.
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Summary: Distastefully Grafic
Review: If the movie had left out the offensive grafic sex scenes, especially with kids involved in sex acts, I could have enjoyed this movie a little bit. I found it revolting to see children playing some of the scenes. I also agree that there wasn't much to the dvd other than the movie itself. There's no point in buying it because you wouldn't want to see it again.
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Summary: It is about time!! GREAT MOVIE
Review: Sergio Leone's "Once Upon a Time in America" was released almost 20 years ago, and it is still one of my all time favorite films. The film spans over a period of 20 years. The characters - Max, Noodles, Cockeye, Patsy, and Fat Moe, all grew up in the violent immigrant ghetto of New York's lower east side. The tough streets forced the group of friends to grow up fast, which in turn forces them to fight their way to the top. All of them vow to stick together. The story fastforwards 20 years into the future where childhood friends Max ( James Woods) and Noodles (Robert De Niro) form a partnership to run a powerful crime organization along with the rest of their childhood buddies -Cockeye (William Forsythe), Patsy ( James Hayden), and Fat Moe(Larry Rapp). However as time passes, things start to spin out of control, and the partnership between Max and Noodles unravels in death and mystery... "Once Upon a Time in America" utilizes the four basic traits of human nature - friendship, crime, love, and betrayal, to create one of the most dramatic and rich stories ever captured on screen. The entire cast - Robert De Niro, James Woods, William Forsythe, Elizabeth McGovern, Treat Williams, Larry Rapp, James Hayden, Joe Pesci, and Danny Aiello were all unbelieveable and each helped to bring the story to life. However, the best performances given in my opinion were by the young actors that were chosen to play the characters as children. Their performances meant the most to the film, because that was the age when the tragic pattern of the characters lives were set. This film marked the first time appearance of Jennifer Connely, and even then at the age of 14, you could tell that she was a fantastic actress. Sergio Leone drew inspiration from the New York ghetto photographs of Jacob Riis. The authenticity that the photos provided to the settings was absolutely outstanding, and were the film's best feature. The actors, well developed story, and stunning authenticity really provide for a wonderful film. "Once Upon A Time in America" offers a look at the dark side of the American dream that you can watch time and time again. Not to mention the fact, that this film finally came out on DVD!! If there was ever a film that deserved the special treatment of a DVD, it was this one. The movie is finally available with the best picture and sound quality available and we don't have to sit through the grainy picture of a videocasette either. This 2 Disc DVD set truly is a must buy!!
Rating: 
Summary: be warned.........
Review: If you're like me and you are thinking of buying this film because it's a Deniro/gangster movie, think twice. Despite some of reviews, this is NOT a materpiece. It is true that the cinematography is brilliant and the production design is top-notch. It is a very authentic-looking, well-made made film. However, those things do not make a masterpiece. The story is so convoluted and moves at such a glacial pace you lose interest. The climactic scene is anything but climactic. Nothing happens. Literally. Deniro and Woods' characters have a conversation and just walk away. Whatever emotional impact thier words are supposed to have has long been drained away by the four-hour running time. The packaging declares that Deniro "smolders" and a New York Times review anoints it as "the definitive gangster picture". Neither is true. You can count on two fingers the number of times Deniro changes facial expressions. He practically sleepwalks through the film. The worst flaw of the movie is that you cant identify with, or even remotely like any of the characters. At the end we are supposed to be moved by the tragic turn of events between two life-long friends, but after witnessing four hours of sexual perversion, graphic murder, etc., you end up having no sympathy at all for them. It has all the emotional impact of seeing Saddam Hussien and Adolf Hitler holding hands and running down the beach in slow motion. As a Deniro fan I really wanted to like this movie, but his character is repulsive. He's a serial rapist who takes his one true love out on a long awaited date and then forcefully rapes her in the back of a car. That scene alone is hard to watch. The Godfather films triumph because the characters have redeeming qualities that balance out thier evil deeds. This film wallows in dirt and excess from the very beginning and gives you no reason to care about these people. Almost the entire first disc is taken up by child actors who arent believable. When you see scenes of them walking around in fedoras and zoot suits acting like pint-size gangsters who intimidate the local cop and make deals with adult mobsters its almost comical. If they were'nt trying to trade cup-cakes for sex it would almost be Disney-ish. By the way, the four scenes that have been "restored" to this director's cut include the two rape scenes and two dialouge extensions. The added dialouge does flesh out the characters a bit, but it slows down an already slow pace. I wish that I had not seen the rape scenes. I hate to be so negative, but I wish I could get my money back. If you have an interest in seeing this movie, rent it- dont buy it. Dont believe the hype and the gushing declarations of being a masterpiece. Its altogether forgetable. The scenes that do stick in your mind do so because they are disturbing, not because of any great acting or artistic reasons.
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