DVD REVIEW

Once Upon a Time in America  (1984)

Starring: Robert DeNiro, James Woods, Joe Pesci, Treat Williams, Elizabeth McGovern, Jennifer Connelly

Director: Sergio Leone

Rating: R

Studio: Warner Bros.

Release Date: 6.10.03

Review Posted: 6.11.03

Spoilers: Minor

Reviewed by Dennis Landmann

"Today, he asks you to take care of Joe. Tomorrow, he asks me to take care of you. You got a problem with that? Because I do." - Noodles

Ten years in planning, Sergio Leone's epic Once Upon A Time In America portrays 50 years of riveting underworld history and offers rich roles to a remarkable cast. Robert De Niro and James Woods play lifelong Lower East Side pals whose wary partnership unravels in death and mystery. Strong support comes from Tuesday Weld, Joe Pesci, Jennifer Connelly, Elizabeth McGovern and the young actors playing the central characters as ghetto kids. The film is offered for the first time in the full version that premiered at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival.

I remember the first time watching Once Upon a Time in America in its uncut version on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) sometime last year. Before it I enjoyed all three of Sergio Leone’s The Man with No Name films (namely A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good, The Bad and The Ugly). Leone’s style and way of making films really transformed me and I realized that this man is one hell of a director. It’s just the way he shoots his film which is so amazing and mesmerizing. One of his signature moves is the extreme close-up, beginning with Clint Eastwood as the man with no name.

Released in North America sometime in 1984, but in production for longer than three years, Once Upon a Time in America received negative reviews. However, it should be noted that the version released that year did not contain the hour of footage that was included in the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Perhaps that was a reason for the negative reactions, but I don’t know.

The fact remains, though, this film is terrific and of epic proportions. I think it’s fair to say, however, the film’s pace is something of a problem. Any film running close to four hours is hard to watch (Dances With Wolves, for one). Despite that, the running time should not dictate the outcome or feelings towards a film. In my case, all of the 229 minutes of this film are worth watching. This is Leone’s full version and completes the film perfectly.

Robert DeNiro and James Woods star in the film that’s almost like The Godfather, although much more in-depth and moving. Despite running longer, Once Upon a Time in America has advantages over Francis Ford Coppola’s gangster epic. For one, the story begins in the early days and tracks the lives of the four buddies from teenagers to adults in a more emotional and caring way. That’s not to say these guys are okay to sympathize with, not really, but seeing them grow up and moving up in the business world is rewarding.

The actors playing Robert DeNiro and James Woods as teenagers really carry the film well until it is time for the transition. Overall, the acting is magnificent. DeNiro is simply great. Woods is equally superb. The main supporting actors, Elizabeth McGovern, Joe Pesci, Treat Williams, Tuesday Weld, Burt Young and Jennifer Connolly (yes, that’s right), all give great performances.

Much of the film uses flashbacks to tell the story, but that’s perfectly fine because it works so well. It’s the writing of the action, characters and dialogue that makes it all worthwhile. Plus a gorgeous score by famous composer Ennio Morricone, Once Upon a Time in America is the epic of gangster films in my eyes. I don’t consider the film subjected to only that genre, because much of the film is also a drama and life story. Sure, it’s a gangster drama, if you want to call it that. On the other hand, the film is many things, not just one or two.

I think the most important part to realize is that this is really Sergio Leone’s film and a young Robert DeNiro and James Woods are the supporting players. I don’t think this is selfish in any way, so when there is someone as artistic and visually captive as Leone it’s fine to admit to it. That’s my opinion, anyway.

Despite a production spanning over more than a few years, Once Upon a Time in America should be considered Leone’s most comprehensive and emotionally satisfying film (not to mention his longest).

10 out of 10

Warner Bros. presents Once Upon a Time in America in an all-new digital 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. This is a very nice upgrade to DVD standard quality. Previously only available on laserdisc and lowly VHS, Sergio Leone’s classic gangster film finally gets the quality it deserves. Still present are instances of dirt and grain, but that’s to be expected. The film’s color palette is very rich and color detail is accommodating, albeit inconsistent in some instances. Dark tones and black level are good, but not exceptional.

Overall, Once Upon a Time in America looks deserving and alive, creating a very nice viewing experience.

8 out of 10

>>Continued on Page 2 (Audio, Extras, Overall).

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