Once Upon A Time In America on Blu-ray & DVD (1984)

Once Upon A Time In America

1984

Overall rating: 3.5 out of 5

from 24,562 members

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, All Movie Guide

Once Upon A Time In America details

Formats:	18 DVD, Blu-ray
Starring:	Tuesday Weld, Treat Williams, James Woods, Burt Young, Joe Pesci, Elizabeth McGovern, Robert De Niro
Director:	Sergio Leone
Genre:	Drama - General
Studio:	WARNER HOME VIDEO

Name	Discs
Once Upon A Time In America	18 Feature

DVD Information

Run time:	3 hours 40 minutes
Rental release:	23 Jun 2003
Main languages:	English
Dubbed:	Italian
Subtitles:	English, Italian
Hearing impaired subtitles:	English, Italian

Name	Discs
Once Upon A Time In America	18 Feature

Blu-ray Information

Run time:	3 hours 39 minutes
Rental release:	07 Feb 2011
Main languages:	English
Subtitles:	English

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Most helpful review Once Upon A Time In America

The best film of all time?

By Steve Pering from Kingston upon Thames , 21 Oct 2003

[Highly rated reviewer]

This film is a masterpiece. The first time I saw it at nearly four hours long I rewound it and watched it all over again. There aren't many long films (even good ones) that make you want to do that. A back to back sitting of Schindler's List anyone? The soundtrack is monumental, the plot is epic and the acting incredible and I defy any red blooded male not to fall in love with Elizabeth McGovern as much as Noodles (Robert de Niro). Watch it, then watch it again then buy it!
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Atmospheric crime saga

By pompeyhater (15 reviews) , 15 Apr 2013

Atmospheric violent crime saga with De Niro heading an all star cast. The story centres around a group of friends and there rise in the criminal underworld spanning decades in the Jewish part of New York. A 5 star must.
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A great picture, recommended

By Abby88 (167 reviews) from Bognor Regis , 26 Nov 2012

An engaging film with interesting characters and very good acting and music. Long but enjoyable, I will rewatch this one.
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Where was the film editor!

By Zinfandel101 (4 reviews) from London , 12 Oct 2012

3 hours 40 mins! If ever an editor needed to get to grip of a film this is it. I like all the actors individually, but they let themselves get carried away here. Shame
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VERY DISAPPOINTING

By Burnhamite (379 reviews) from BURNHAM , 09 Aug 2012

Most disappointing film, in the first place far too long and secondly the violence was in the extreme. Far better movies on crime busting in the 'Big Apple' have been produced
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Superb Film

By Snowmouse (2 reviews) , 16 Jul 2012

The first time I watched this film I was totally enthralled by the superb acting and story line. I have watched the film many times since then and the music still haunts and stays long after the film ends. Although the film is long, one does not notice the time going by, in fact, I cannot visualise the shorter version as one needs to know about their childhood, their growing up, the bond between them and why, what happened did happen. De Nero, Woods and Co., are a class act and cannot be faulted. How I wish they made films of this calibre today!!
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