Rating: 
Summary: A masterpiece no matter what anyone says
Review: Yes, the film is four hours long, and yes, there is an hour and a half flashback sequence. But don't let this ward you way from what is truly a masterpiece of a gangster flick. The flashback itself is engrossing and endearing. If you love movies, if you love great acting, if you love history, this is the epic for you.'Once Upon a Time in America' is a film about a group of four friends who have grown up together in New York City since the turn of the century. They grew up around crime and took part in it themselves. 'America' doesn't focus on the truly criminal aspects of the tale, though; nor does it glorify violence in any way. In a genius move, director Sergio Leone portrays how crime influences this tough, beautiful, but delicate friendship. This brings me to the famously long flashback. Anyone who tells you it is boring, unimportant and relentless was obviously not paying attention. They must also have a short attention span, for the portrayel of the four main characters' childhood is at times beautiful, elegiac and hilarious. It tells a timeless tale of the central character in the film, Noodles (later played by Robert DeNiro), and his obsession with the local beauty (a young Jennifer Conally, later played by Elizabeth McGovern) who refuses to love him because he'll "always be a two-bit punk." It reminisces on the constant loss of virginities to the town prostitute who makes love for the price of one pastry (what accompanies this story line is a legendary scene where a young teenager succumbs to the temptation of his pastry gift). And it ends in one of the film's most emotional moments that proves you must have a strong stomach to really pay attention and/or appreciate the film to full extent. It is quite hard to watch not because of any sort of violence, but because of its emotional rawness ending in a near cataclysmic incident. This carries over into the rest of the film, dotted with modern day looks at Noodles and his three friends who are dead at the beginning of the film. After his mental journey through the past, he searches in real life for the love of his life, played by Elizabeth McGovern. What ensues is a twist, one of the best in cinematic history (that I've seen, anyway). You won't be disappointed. What is masterful about all of these storylines, flashbacks and flashforwards is the extent of their depth. Leone accompanies each detail with an unforgettable emotional truth that extends deep into each character's (and our own) psyche. And for those who love history, Leone sets this saga in the days of prohibition, which offers the four friends an occupation, of sorts. Apart from the amazing depth in character and story, the production values are top notch, with glorious sets, cinematography and editing. And don't forget the delicacy of the writing and direction. It all works together so well on so many levels. So to those who have strong stomachs (there are bouts of intense violence) and those who are not too young (this is definitely not a family film, as it portrays some graphic sexuality) and also those who are in love with cinema, I recommend 'Once Upon a Time in America.' Oh, and make sure you have a good attention span. This is not a short movie by any means, although it zips by in the best sense.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: When "Once Upon A Time in America" was initially released, there wasn't much of a stir in America due to the well-documented excision of around an hour and half of footage. But, on its release to home video, the restored, uncut version was suddenly available to American viewers. Thank God. This is a deeply moving, emotionally-wrenching film that deserves its ranks in the annals of some of the greatest motion pictures ever filmed. Movie lovers will delight in this film from frame to frame. Top-notch performances, extended sequences with attention to detail that rival the best Kubrick films, and plot twists told through inventive flashback sequences make this a movie-lovers paradise. I remember when it first came out, I was mesmerized by it for three reasons. Firstly, when it was released there was possibly never a more violent film than this one, with the possible exception of Scarface. Thus, the action is first-rate. Secondly, the performances were all compelling. One performance that went overlooked, I think, was Tuesday Weld's volatile performance as the damaged and emotionally scarred girlfriend of the equally volatile Woods. DeNiro, of course, holds every scene he's in; there's a great sequence in the film involving crooked cop Danny Aiello and a sick practical joke played on him by the gangsters seeking to influence him; additionally, a young Jennifer Connelly gives a fine performance as the childhood sweetheart of one of the gang-members. Thirdly, the pacing of the film was deliberately extended in several sequences to allow for Ennio Morricone's haunting, melancholic, and most deeply felt musical score. When Morricone's music swells, so collectively do we, and the play on the screen becomes the ultimate tragedy that can never have a happy ending. Some of the visuals of the film are especially striking, not the least of which is the aerial shot of DeNiro lying under a mesh cover on a mattress in an opium den, grinning goofily while he allows the opium to take its effect, and wipe away the memories of his betrayal. Other standout visuals include the shot of a frisbee flying through the air to introduce yet another flashback sequence, the opening sequences of horrifying violence, and a final sequence involving a garbage truck. All of this together creates an unforgettable movie experience, one that will stay with the viewer for a long time.
Rating: 
Summary: Help
Review: 5 stars for the film,2 stars for doing a director's cut and chopping the movie at an important segment! Dumb! An extra star for a great transfer. Does anyone know if there's a difference in quality between the DVD with the dark title and the DVD with the light title?
Rating:
Summary: Gangs of New York (A better version)
Review: What a disappointment Scorsese's recent take on the New York underworld was! It took place at the apex of America's history in mid 19th century and it never got off. Whereas Leone wisely concentrated on characterisation, before and after mis-en-scene, and not to mention group dynamics on a Greek tragedy level.
What separates "Once Upon A Time in America" from "Gangs of New York" is the absence of overacting and overwhelming star power. Gangs had Daniel Day Lewis, who was the only good actor in the film, and Leonardo who couldn't act beyond his pretty boy looks. Leone's epic wisely chose actors who could actually act. Take a look at the rollcall: Robert De Niro, James Woods, Joe Pesci, Kevin Pollak, etc. Heck, even the young 'uns who portrayed the main characters in childhood were marvelous.
"Once Upon A Time in America" was what Scorsese was trying to achieve but failed. With an unwielding running time, Leone had the luxury of unfolding the human drama before us. I suspected Scorsese could have made a 4 hour epic but had to trim it down to satisfy cinplexes movie timings. Gangs seems trimmed, as a matter of fact.
At 229 minutes, this DVD edition spreads across 2 discs. The transfer is excellent, considering the age of the film and perhaps it could have done with a little more brushing up on the grain. The remastered sound is superb, with Ennio Morricone's score whistling through the speakers, you couldn't have gotten it any better in any home video format up till now. A highly recommended film. Best to leave a whole afternoon to finish this epic in one sitting.
Rating:
Summary: Best movie made to date.
Review: I have also seen this movie at least 50 times and I can view it 50 more times. This movie is by far the greatest movie ever made. It's a flawless masterpiece. The directing, the great cast, the acting, the music, the setting, the props, no other movie that I have seen compares. I am actually now buying the special edition for my old college housemate 40th Birthday. He was the one to turn me onto this movie. Too bad this special edition does not include the extra 3 minutes that were cut out. It is very interesting to watch the other movies directed by Sergio Leone. You find a lot of similarities through his slow timing scenes with silence that speaks a thousand words and the way his cameras take simular shots. Don't listen to any of the negative stuff you read in other reviews, those people need to watch Peter Pan and Bambi. I love this movie.
Rating:
Summary: ... and also Once Upon A Time In The World ... too
Review: ... the most incredibly human story. And also international as it reminds us that not only Italians run Mafias ... The movie has a master piece score that has been reviewed successfully all over. The movie has elements of love, corresponded and not, of profound criminal but also sexual violence. Both are essential to the story and thus not gratuitous. There are two versions of the movie, this one the so called European, the long and editor's cut. And it is the long version that deserves all the praise. De Niro let us know, again, that he is a masterful actor, as is Elizabeth Montgomery in he unique and outstanding type of beauty. And eye - beauty at that. For anybody with a friend or relative addicted to drugs, it has a peculiar sense of understanding, not approval, that to me makes the movie an essential tool to talk about the subject of drug-addiction, particularly to those that consider they are still in control (denial).
Rating:
Summary: Best review elsewhere
Review: Prodigy IBM Sears did the best review I have read. Mentioned
17 flashbacks.
Rating:
Summary: fovorite movie of all time
Review: I have watched this movie at least 50 times, and each time I find something I missed in earlier viewings. My favorite movie of all time, edging out Catch-22.
Rating: 
Summary: Four hours is a long time...
Review: Even the most rabid DeNiro fan will be looking for the fast-forward button after, say, two and a half hours of this epic.
Prohibition enriched a few entrepeneurial spirits in its day and funded a group of Jewish thugs. This is no "Godfather" nor were five guys much of a threat in bustling, grimy, pre-Depression New York. Just a small group of street hoods who held together through difficult times.
Sergio Leone has a flamboyant streak for this genre which is evident in the music, the script-writing, and the directing. Everything is exagerated, elongated, and stretched to its dramatic limits. Maybe just a little too stretched.
A good film, not great. A must-see for DeNiro fans.
Rating:
Summary: Jewish Gangster is Excellent
Review: Once Upon A Time In America is brilliant story about powerful drama, childhood, life, memory past, romance, crime thriller/action, Jewish Gangster Mob.
Jewish Gangster movie is brilliant.
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