Once Upon a Time in America

Tormented by guilt, in 1968 Noodles (Robert De Niro) returns to New York as an old man after 35 years in exile. His memoirs of the establishment of a Jewish mafia group in 1923 and its rise and fall during the Prohibition era form the basis of a large-scale, visually breathtaking drama about friendship and betrayal, love and death.

The film is remembered by many as being more conventional than Leone's spaghetti cult film -- but then that's because they forgot the scene describing Robert De Niro's trip into the opium den! The film jumps in time between the years 1923, 1933 and 1968 in a structure that only becomes apparent along the way. At the center of the story is the friendship between Noodles and Max (James Woods) and their relationship with the other members of the Mafia.

Sergio Leone's last film is a fascinating period film that explores concepts such as time and history while delivering a nuanced critique of gangster mythology. And composer Ennio Morricone surpassed himself by making the pan flute hot!

There is a 15 min. break 2 hours and 55 min. inside the film.

Regisseur: Sergio Leone
Starring: Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Tuesday Weld
Country/year: Italy, United States, 1984
Runtime: 251 min.
Formato: DCP
Language: English Dialogue
Age limit: Allowed for children over 15
Original Title: Once Upon a Time in America

Part of the series: Sergio Leone
Experience all of Segio Leone's feature films in Cinematek and enjoy the intense ultra-closeups, magnificent overall shots and Ennio Morricone's underpinning music.