Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
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A sprawling epic follows the lives of a group of Jewish youths who rise to prominence as gangsters in New York City's world of organized crime.
The story
In the 1930s, a group of Jewish ghetto youths, including best friends David "Noodles" Aaronson and Maximilian "Max" Bercovicz, navigate the dangerous world of organized crime in New York City. As they rise to prominence as gangsters, they navigate the complexities of their shared history, the allure of power, and the consequences of their choices. The narrative explores their evolution from local hustlers to significant figures in the underworld, while dealing with the internal tensions of their brotherhood and the external pressures of the criminal lifestyle.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film follows the lives of David "Noodles" Aaronson and Maximilian "Max" Bercovicz as they lead a gang of Jewish youths into the world of New York City organized crime. In 1918, they begin as small-time thieves, eventually becoming successful liquor smugglers. Following a series of betrayals and the death of their friends, Noodles is imprisoned while Max remains in the fold. Upon his release, Noodles reunites with the gang, but tensions rise as they navigate the end of Prohibition. A failed heist leads to the deaths of several members, and Noodles eventually retreats into a life of isolation. In the 1960s, Noodles returns to New York to uncover the truth behind the past. He discovers that Max survived, forged a new identity as a wealthy businessman, and manipulated the circumstances of their shared history. The film concludes with a final confrontation where Noodles realizes the extent of Max's deception, ultimately finding a sense of resolution in his own memories.
- First release year
- 1984
- Runtime (minutes)
- 229
- Production countries
- Italy; United States
- Original languages
- English; Italian
- Directors
- Sergio Leone
- Writers
- Leonardo Benvenuti · screenplay; Piero De Bernardi · screenplay; Enrico Medioli · screenplay; Franco Arcalli · screenplay; Franco Ferrini · screenplay; Sergio Leone · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Robert De Niro · David "Noodles" Aaronson; James Woods · Maximilian "Max" Bercovicz; Elizabeth McGovern · Deborah Gelly; Joe Pesci · Frankie Minaldi; Burt Young · Joe Minaldi; Tuesday Weld · Carol; Treat Williams · Jimmy Conway O'Donnell
- Genres
- crime; drama
- Themes
- childhood friendships; love; lust; greed; betrayal; loss; broken relationships
- Tone and mood
- epic; haunting
- Source material / true-story basis
- Harry Grey's semi-autobiographical 1952 novel The Hoods
- Franchise connections
- Once Upon a Time Trilogy
- Content notes
- violence
- Reception
- The film received mixed initial reviews due to different versions; the original European cut is a critical favorite, while the American cut was a critical and commercial flop.
- Production trivia
- The film was a box-office bomb in the United States.; The film's music was disqualified from Oscar consideration due to a studio error.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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