- Note: Blu-ray discs are in a high definition format and need to be played on a Blu-ray player. To find out more about Blu-ray, visit our Hi-Def Learn & Shop store.
- Important Information on Firmware Updates: Having trouble with your Blu-ray disc player? Will certain discs just not play? You may need to update the firmware inside your player. Click here to learn more.
Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
From Amazon.co.uk
Once Upon a Time in America has a chequered history, having been chopped from its original 229-minute director's cut to 139 minutes for its theatrical release. The longer edition presented here benefits from having the complete story (the short version has huge gaps) about turn-of-the-century Jewish immigrants in America finding their way into lives of crime, as told in flashback by an ageing Jewish gangster named Noodles (Robert De Niro). On the other hand, it's almost four hours long, and this sometimes-indulgent Sergio Leone film is no Godfather. Still, it is notable for the contrast between Leone's elegiac take on the gangster film and his occasional explosive action, as well as for the mix of the stoic, inexpressive De Niro and the hyperactive James Woods as his lifelong friend and rival. --Marshall Fine
Product Description
Epic, episodic, tale of the lives of a small group of New York City Jewish gangsters spanning over 40 years. Told mostly in flashbacks and flash-forwards, the movie centers on small-time hood David 'Noodles' Aaronson and his lifelong partners in crime; Max, Cockeye and Patsy and their friends. Once Upon A Time In America journeys from their time growing up in the rough Jewish neighborhood of New York's Lower East Side in the 1920s, to the last years of Prohibition in the early 1930s, and then to the late 1960s where an elderly Noodles returns to New York, after many years in hiding, to look into the past.
Special Features
• Commentary by Richard Schickel
• Once Upon a Time: Sergio Leone
• Trailer
Special Features
• Commentary by Richard Schickel
• Once Upon a Time: Sergio Leone
• Trailer
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By S MacLeod
Format:Blu-ray
This film is one of my 10 favourites of all time. It is utterly brilliant. There are plenty of other five-star reviews on this site that you can read for details of why it is so brilliant. I'm not going to repeat what other reviewers have said, so I will just offer one VERY IMPORTANT piece of advice:
Make sure you buy the longest version you can find.
A European lab is currently (May, 2011) restoring the original 269 minute version, which is likely to premiere at Cannes in 2012.
Leone's European version ran 229 minutes, and it appears that this Blu-ray product is that version. The 229 minute European version is the one that is currently considered to be a classic. I've seen it two or three times, and I love every minute of it.
When this film was released in the United States, distributors insisted that it be cut further. The film was slashed to 139 incomprehensible minutes, and the numerous flashback scenes were shifted into chronological order. The result was a disaster, and this is why there are still some poor reviews for the film floating around the 'net (all from American critics). I saw this version once myself, and it was indeed rubbish.
So there you are. Buy this version - which is the best currently available - and you will not be disappointed.
Make sure you buy the longest version you can find.
A European lab is currently (May, 2011) restoring the original 269 minute version, which is likely to premiere at Cannes in 2012.
Leone's European version ran 229 minutes, and it appears that this Blu-ray product is that version. The 229 minute European version is the one that is currently considered to be a classic. I've seen it two or three times, and I love every minute of it.
When this film was released in the United States, distributors insisted that it be cut further. The film was slashed to 139 incomprehensible minutes, and the numerous flashback scenes were shifted into chronological order. The result was a disaster, and this is why there are still some poor reviews for the film floating around the 'net (all from American critics). I saw this version once myself, and it was indeed rubbish.
So there you are. Buy this version - which is the best currently available - and you will not be disappointed.
67 of 70 people found the following review helpful
By alek
Format:Blu-ray
THE FILM
There's not much to say that hasn't been said already. 'Once Upon a Time in America' is without a doubt one of the best films of all time. A grand tale of nostalgia and regret directed by a legendary filmmaker. Robert De Niro, James Woods and the rest of the cast all give great performances. Ennio Morricone's score is simply beautiful.
No film buff should miss it.
THE DISC
The transfer looks quite good. There are no distracting compression artifacts or other anomalies. There is no excessive DNR and the image looks natural. It might not be a demo-worthy material but it is truthful to the original look of the film and a significant improvement over the DVD release.
The DTS-HD Master Audio track, while not spectacular, is very clear and precise. There's not much happening in the surround channels but it is an accurate representation of the original, almost 30-year-old soundtrack.
All in all, this Blu-ray release is the best the film has ever looked on home video and truthful to the original theatrical presentation.
Highly recommended.
Available audio tracks: English (DTS-MA), Spanish, Czech, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish (all DD 5.1)
Available subtitles: English, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Spanish, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Korean, Latin Spanish, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish
There's not much to say that hasn't been said already. 'Once Upon a Time in America' is without a doubt one of the best films of all time. A grand tale of nostalgia and regret directed by a legendary filmmaker. Robert De Niro, James Woods and the rest of the cast all give great performances. Ennio Morricone's score is simply beautiful.
No film buff should miss it.
THE DISC
The transfer looks quite good. There are no distracting compression artifacts or other anomalies. There is no excessive DNR and the image looks natural. It might not be a demo-worthy material but it is truthful to the original look of the film and a significant improvement over the DVD release.
The DTS-HD Master Audio track, while not spectacular, is very clear and precise. There's not much happening in the surround channels but it is an accurate representation of the original, almost 30-year-old soundtrack.
All in all, this Blu-ray release is the best the film has ever looked on home video and truthful to the original theatrical presentation.
Highly recommended.
Available audio tracks: English (DTS-MA), Spanish, Czech, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish (all DD 5.1)
Available subtitles: English, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Spanish, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Korean, Latin Spanish, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By David Bowers
Format:DVD
This is Sergio Leone's last and perhaps best film. Epic in length, scope and cinematography "Once upon a time in America" follows a group of kids and their rise to fully fledged gangsters.
Running at almost 4 hours and including an interval the story covers childhood, their 20's/30's and Noodles (De Niro) 70's.
The story is plays with time, cutting between 3 periods in cleverely crafted arcs. When originally released in the US the distributor re-arranged the whole film chronologically, destroying the suspense of the story. Here it is shown in it's proper, full length edit.
This really is cinema at it's best. Yes it's long and may take a couple of sittings, but once finished you know you've seen a film and a great one at that.
[Spoiler]
The final shot is a perfect ending to the film and Leones career. Noodles smiling in the opium den indicating that some, if not all of what you'd seen was infact a 'pipe dream' or hallucination. So perhaps the whole thing was fake, a story, but in the end you're there to watch a story being told, which is what Sergio did best.
Running at almost 4 hours and including an interval the story covers childhood, their 20's/30's and Noodles (De Niro) 70's.
The story is plays with time, cutting between 3 periods in cleverely crafted arcs. When originally released in the US the distributor re-arranged the whole film chronologically, destroying the suspense of the story. Here it is shown in it's proper, full length edit.
This really is cinema at it's best. Yes it's long and may take a couple of sittings, but once finished you know you've seen a film and a great one at that.
[Spoiler]
The final shot is a perfect ending to the film and Leones career. Noodles smiling in the opium den indicating that some, if not all of what you'd seen was infact a 'pipe dream' or hallucination. So perhaps the whole thing was fake, a story, but in the end you're there to watch a story being told, which is what Sergio did best.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Giorgio
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
Some might be interested in knowing that Sergio Leone's sons have recently reacquired - for the italian market - the rights for this masterpiece, and are proceding to a full restoration in order to produce (rumor has it, in 2012) the Director's Cut originally intended by Leone.
Meaning, more than FOURTY additional minutes of footage - originally cut due to the length of the movie - will be re-integrated. I don't know about you, but I've been hoping for years this would happen.
The restoration will probably be supervised by some big name, most likely Scorsese or Tarantino, but that's just rumors for the time being.
Guess I'll be waiting to purchase that blu-ray...
UPDATE 16/10/2012: and here we go! The 7th of December 2012 is the scheduled release date for the restored Director's Cut of OUATIA. Later on, it will be released a boxset including both of the film versions...
UPDATE 17/12/2012: and... the Director's cut blu-ray sucks. They had the genius of stuffing a 4 1/2 hour long movie, with multiple hd tracks, onto a single BD. Compression and artifacts are all over the place. Idiots. I'll wait for a new release, respectful of Leone's art.
Meaning, more than FOURTY additional minutes of footage - originally cut due to the length of the movie - will be re-integrated. I don't know about you, but I've been hoping for years this would happen.
The restoration will probably be supervised by some big name, most likely Scorsese or Tarantino, but that's just rumors for the time being.
Guess I'll be waiting to purchase that blu-ray...
UPDATE 16/10/2012: and here we go! The 7th of December 2012 is the scheduled release date for the restored Director's Cut of OUATIA. Later on, it will be released a boxset including both of the film versions...
UPDATE 17/12/2012: and... the Director's cut blu-ray sucks. They had the genius of stuffing a 4 1/2 hour long movie, with multiple hd tracks, onto a single BD. Compression and artifacts are all over the place. Idiots. I'll wait for a new release, respectful of Leone's art.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
I have just finished watching my American Blu Ray version, which should be identical to the forthcoming UK release, I am happy to say that Once upon a Time in America looks fabulous in HD, the picture is sharp, colour pallet is excellent, the flashbacks to their childhood still hold the sepia hue as intended, the extras are exactly the same as on the 2 disc SE which is a shame would have been nice to have a new documentary. The whole uncut film is on one disc, I love this film and have always held it in high regard since I first saw a copy on VHS in my teens.
Is the upgrade to HD worth it for those that have the 2 disc DVD, without a shadow of a doubt, this film has never looked so good, it may not knock your socks off like Avatar or LOTR but then it wasn't expected to.
I still think this is one of the best gangster movies out there and worth having in everyone's collection, yes it can be slow at times, yes it is quite violent and can have some unsettling scenes but Sergio is in a class of his own (even though i am not keen on Fistful of Dynamite).
Many have speculated over the film is it a drug induced dream etc, I have always had a couple of nagging doubts about a few things set in the 60's so it may have been, after all if Max was the senitor wouldn't his picture have been in the press or on TV and wouldn't noodles have spotted it at least once? I know fat moe states he hasn't seen his sister in a while but as she became a big stage star surley he would have know who she married and wouldn't there have been a few pictures of the happy couple doing the rounds.............but apart from these I have and will always champion this movie.
Do I think anyone interested in this film should upgrade, yes without hesitation.
Is the upgrade to HD worth it for those that have the 2 disc DVD, without a shadow of a doubt, this film has never looked so good, it may not knock your socks off like Avatar or LOTR but then it wasn't expected to.
I still think this is one of the best gangster movies out there and worth having in everyone's collection, yes it can be slow at times, yes it is quite violent and can have some unsettling scenes but Sergio is in a class of his own (even though i am not keen on Fistful of Dynamite).
Many have speculated over the film is it a drug induced dream etc, I have always had a couple of nagging doubts about a few things set in the 60's so it may have been, after all if Max was the senitor wouldn't his picture have been in the press or on TV and wouldn't noodles have spotted it at least once? I know fat moe states he hasn't seen his sister in a while but as she became a big stage star surley he would have know who she married and wouldn't there have been a few pictures of the happy couple doing the rounds.............but apart from these I have and will always champion this movie.
Do I think anyone interested in this film should upgrade, yes without hesitation.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 431 reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a classic
This film had earned it's place on my list of top films before it was halfway finished - and that's a fairly long time! Read more
Published 5 days ago by Sacha Corazzi
4.0 out of 5 stars
Blu Review 77 Once Upon a Time in America extended cut
Once Upon a Time in America extended cut
Distributor: Warner Home Video (Italy)
For anyone who has yet to experience Sergio Leone's epic masterpiece, Once... Read more
Distributor: Warner Home Video (Italy)
For anyone who has yet to experience Sergio Leone's epic masterpiece, Once... Read more
Published 10 days ago by Blu Review Obscura
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Film
bought this as we had watched the Godfather trillogy, a brilliant film, would highly recommend, a good duvet day movie
Published 1 month ago by D A Baldwin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent gangster genre movie.
If you like a bit of history, and also a bit of bang and crash, this is the film to see. Almost a documentry of early gangs and their methods, great viewing and lots of what it was... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Derek Stocker. D.C. Stocker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it great buy
Loved it great buy film good brought back good times five star would recommend it to a friend liked the film
Published 1 month ago by George Inch
3.0 out of 5 stars
rfc
i agree with every criticism i've read about this movie. it is a good movie, and maby it was the first of its kind ???. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Andy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
I remember the first time i watched it on television many years ago, that i enjoyed watching. Not long after i watched, i bought the DVD. Read more
Published 2 months ago by LoBo
5.0 out of 5 stars
classic de niro
long but very good film , de niro at his best , then he always is , this is the long cut of the film , there were a few cuts made but this is original movie ,excellent .
Published 2 months ago by dave
5.0 out of 5 stars
terrific film,
Blue-ray enhances the realism and grit of this film, the film is a new classic and a must for the collection of Mafia Movie fans.
Published 2 months ago by Jay Dee
3.0 out of 5 stars
disappointing in spite of the hype about the longer version
The theatrical version of this film was a mess: inconsistencies and unexplained incidents, odd scenes that drag on, a story that failed to hang together emotionally. Read more
Published 3 months ago by rob crawford
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
