Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

Director:

Sergio Leone

Writers:

Harry Grey (novel)
Leonardo Benvenuti (writer) ...
(more)

Release Date:

1 June 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Crime, passion and lust for power - Sergio Leone's explosive saga of gangland America. [Australia Theatrical]

Plot:

A former Prohibition-era Jewish gangster returns to Brooklyn over 30 years later, where he once again must confront the ghosts and regrets of his old life.

Plot Keywords:

New York | Gangster | Jewish | Prohibition | 1960s

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 11 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Robert De Niro	...	David 'Noodles' Aaronson
James Woods	...	Maximilian 'Max' Bercovicz
Elizabeth McGovern	...	Deborah Gelly
Joe Pesci	...	Frankie Manoldi
Burt Young	...	Joe
Tuesday Weld	...	Carol
Treat Williams	...	James Conway O'Donnell
Danny Aiello	...	Police Chief Vincent Aiello
Richard Bright	...	Chicken Joe
James Hayden	...	Patrick 'Patsy' Goldberg
William Forsythe	...	Philip 'Cockeye' Stein
Darlanne Fluegel	...	Eve (as Darlanne Fleugel)
Larry Rapp	...	'Fat' Moe Gelly
Richard Foronjy	...	Officer 'Fartface' Whitey (as Richard Foronji)
Robert Harper	...	Sharkey
Dutch Miller	...	Van Linden
Gerard Murphy	...	Crowning
Amy Ryder	...	Peggy
Olga Karlatos	...	Woman in the Puppet Theatre
Mario Brega	...	Mandy
Ray Dittrich	...	Trigger
Frank Gio	...	Beefy
Karen Shallo	...	Lucy Aiello
Angelo Florio	...	Willie The Ape
Scott Schutzman Tiler	...	Young Noodles (as Scott Tiler)
Rusty Jacobs	...	Young Max / David Bailey
Brian Bloom	...	Young Patsy
Adrian Curran	...	Young Cockeye
Mike Monetti	...	Young Fat Moe
Noah Moazezi	...	Dominic
James Russo	...	Bugsy
Frankie Caserta	...	Bugsy's Gang
Joey Marzella	...	Bugsy's Gang
Clem Caserta	...	Al Capuano
Frank Sisto	...	Fred Capuano
Jerry Strivelli	...	Johnny Capuano
Julie Cohen	...	Young Peggy
Marvin Scott	...	Interviewer
Mike Gendel	...	Irving Gold
Paul Herman	...	Monkey
Ann Neville	...	Girl in Coffin
Joey Faye	...	Adorable Old Man
Linda Ipanema	...	Nurse Thompson
Tandy Cronyn	...	Reporter 1 (as Tandy Cronin)
Richard Zobel	...	Reporter 2
Baxter Harris	...	Reporter 3
Arnon Milchan	...	Chauffeur
Bruno Iannone	...	Thug
Marty Licata	...	Cemetery Caretaker
Marcia Jean Kurtz	...	Max's Mother
Estelle Harris	...	Peggy's Mother
Gerritt Debeer	...	Drunk
Jennifer Connelly	...	Young Deborah
Alexander Godfrey	...	Newstand Man
Cliff Cudney	...	Mounted Policeman
Paul Farentino	...	2nd Mounted Policeman
Bruce Bahrenburg	...	Sgt. P. Halloran
Mort Freeman	...	Street Singer
Sandra Solberg	...	Friend of Young Deborah
Jay Zeely	...	Foreman
Massimo Liti	...	Young Macrò
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Salvatore Billa	...	One of Beefy's Thugs (uncredited)
Matteo Cafiso	...	Boy in Park (uncredited)
Nelson Camp	...	Newspaper Salesman (uncredited)
Scott Coffey	...	Teenager (uncredited)
Francesca Leone	...	David Bailey's Girlfriend (uncredited)
Chuck Low	...	Deborah Gelly's father (uncredited)
Ron Nummi	...	Waiter (uncredited)

Directed by
Sergio Leone

Writing credits
Harry Grey		(novel "The Hoods")
Leonardo Benvenuti		(writer) &
Piero De Bernardi		(writer) &
Enrico Medioli		(writer) &
Franco Arcalli		(writer) &
Franco Ferrini		(writer) &
Sergio Leone		(writer)
Stuart Kaminsky		(additional dialogue)
Ernesto Gastaldi		uncredited

Produced by
Claudio Mancini	....	executive producer
Arnon Milchan	....	producer

Original Music by
Ennio Morricone

Cinematography by
Tonino Delli Colli

Film Editing by
Nino Baragli
Zach Staenberg		(uncredited)

Casting by
Cis Corman
Joy Todd

Production Design by
Carlo Simi		(uncredited)

Art Direction by
Carlo Simi

Costume Design by
Gabriella Pescucci

Makeup Department
Carboni	....	wigs
Vincenzo Cardella	....	hair stylist (as Enzo Cardella)
Randy Coronato	....	hair stylist: New York
Randy Coronato	....	makeup artist: New York
Maria Teresa Corridoni	....	hair stylist
Henry R. Dwork	....	dental makeup artist: New York
Nilo Jacoponi	....	makeup artist
Renata Magnanti	....	hair stylist
Rocchetti	....	wigs
Manlio Rocchetti	....	makeup artist
Gino Zamprioli	....	makeup artist
Giancarlo De Leonardis	....	hair stylist: James Wood and Tuesday Weld (uncredited)
Giancarlo De Leonardis	....	hairdresser: James Wood (uncredited)

Production Management
Fred C. Caruso	....	executive in charge of production (as Fred Caruso)
Mario Cotone	....	production supervisor
Ginette Hardy	....	production manager: Montreal
Walter Massi	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Dennis T. Benatar	....	assistant director: New York (as Dennis Benatar)
Fabrizio Sergenti Castellani	....	first assistant director
Luca Morsella	....	assistant director
Amy Wells	....	assistant director: New York

Art Department
Bruno Cesari	....	set dresser
Osvaldo Desideri	....	set dresser
Ronald Fauteux	....	prop man: Montreal
Gianni Fiumi	....	property master
Alain Giguère	....	scenic painter: Montreal
Nello Giorgetti	....	swing gang
Otto Jacoby	....	set builder: New York
Steven Kirshoff	....	prop man: New York
Walter Klymkiw	....	chief carpenter: Montreal
Joey Litto	....	construction coordinator: New York
Tullio Lullo	....	construction coordinator
Domenico Mancino	....	blacksmith
George Messaris	....	set builder: New York
Elouise Meyer	....	scenic chargeperson: New York
Giovanni Natalucci	....	set designer
Gretchen Rau	....	set decorator: New York
Claude Simard	....	chief carpenter: Montreal
James T. Singelis	....	art director: New York (as James Singelis)
Rejean Brochu	....	construction supervisor (uncredited)
Clément Hurel	....	poster artist (uncredited)
Dan Mahoney	....	construction grip (uncredited)

Sound Department
Fausto Ancillai	....	sound recording mixer
Bruno Charier	....	boom operator
Robert Rietty	....	dubbing editor
Jean-Pierre Ruh	....	sound engineer (as Jean Pierre Ruhu)
Paul J. Zydel	....	adr sound: New York (as Paul Zydel)
Chris David	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby (uncredited)
Elliot Tyson	....	sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Louis Craig	....	special effects assistant: Montreal
Gabe Videla	....	special effects: Montreal
Danilo Bollettini	....	special effects (uncredited)
Brian Campbell	....	special effects crew (uncredited)
Giovanni Corridori	....	special effects (uncredited)
Jacques Godbout	....	special effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Benito Stefanelli	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Steve Baker	....	key grip: New York
Sandro Battaglia	....	assistant camera
Augusto Diamanti	....	key grip
Normand Guy	....	key grip: Montreal
Walter Klymkiw	....	gaffer: Montreal
Romano Mancini	....	gaffer
John Newby	....	gaffer: New York
Crescenzo Notarile	....	assistant camera: New York
Angelo Novi	....	still photographer
Antonio Scaramuzza	....	assistant camera
Carlo Tafani	....	camera operator
Carlo Vinciguerra	....	gaffer
Eraldo Barbona	....	grip (uncredited)
Edward Cohen	....	electrician (uncredited)
Jean Courteau	....	electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Sylvie Bourque	....	extras casting: Montreal
Flo Gallant	....	extras casting: Montreal

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Richard Bruno	....	associate costume designer: New York
Helen P. Butler	....	costumer: New York (as Helen Butler)
Marina Frassine	....	assistant costume designer
Raffaella Leone	....	assistant costume designer
Tirelli	....	wardrobe costumes (as Umberto Tirelli)

Editorial Department
Gabrio Astori	....	postint editor
Alessandro Baragli	....	assistant editor
Patrizia Ceresani	....	assistant editor (as Patricia Cerasani)
Ornella Chistolini	....	assistant editor
Maurizio Mancini	....	editing coordinator
Nicholas Stevenson	....	postint editor
Elvira Tonini	....	first assistant editor (as Vivi Tonini)
Giorgio Venturoli	....	assistant editor
J. Kathleen Gibson	....	first assistant editor (uncredited)
Howard Heard	....	assistant film editor (uncredited)

Music Department
Sergio Marcotulli	....	music recording mixer
Ennio Morricone	....	musical director
Gheorghe Zamfir	....	musician: pan flute

Transportation Department
James Giblin	....	transportation captain: New York
Bobby Marsh	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Sonny Abagnale	....	antique car coordinator: New York
Francesca Alatri	....	production secretary: New York
Bruce Bahrenburg	....	unit publicist: New York
Robert Benmussa	....	consultant to producer
Dominique Bruballa	....	accountant: New York
Fausto Capozzi	....	accountant
Diana Di Michele	....	accountant
Gianna Di Michele	....	production auditor
Lucie Drolet	....	accountant: Montreal
Brian Freilino	....	dialogue director
Herb Hetzer	....	location controller: New York
Gail Kearns	....	production coordinator: New York
Ted Kurdyla	....	production liaison: New York
Pierre Laberge	....	location manager: Montreal
Margherita Pace	....	body double: Jennifer Connelly
Tonino Palombi	....	production assistant
Sergio Rosa	....	accountant
Robert Rothbard	....	location manager: New York
Pietro Sassaroli	....	production assistant (as Piero Sassaroli)
Jennifer W. Shore	....	production secretary: New York (as Jennifer Wyckoff)
Attilio Viti	....	location manager
Mark Del Costello	....	assistant: Mr. Leone (uncredited)
Simona Patitucci	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Alan Potashnick	....	personal assistant: Robert DeNiro (uncredited)
Eugene Rizzo	....	unit publicist (uncredited)
Danièle Rohrbach	....	production coordinator (uncredited)

Thanks
Borsalino	....	special thanks
Bulgari	....	special thanks
Italo Gasparucci	....	special thanks
Hedy Martinelli	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Embassy International Pictures
• PSO International
• Rafran Cinematografica
• Regency Enterprises
• Warner Bros. Pictures
• Wishbone

Distributors

• Société Nouvelle de Cinématographie (SNC) (1984) (France) (theatrical)
• Warner Home Video (2009) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Ladd Company, The (1984) (USA) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. Pictures (1984) (USA) (theatrical) (through)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1987) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Adams Filmi (1985) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Jugendfilm-Verleih (1984) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• European Video Corporation (EVC) (1984) (Belgium) (video)
• Flashstar Home Vídeo (1998) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Flashstar Home Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (VHS)
• LW Editora (Brazil) (DVD)
• Warner Bros. (France)
• Warner Home Video (2007) (Italy) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)
• Warner Home Vídeo (2003) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Warner Home Vídeo (2003) (Brazil) (VHS)

Special Effects

• Intrigue (special effects)
• Corridori G & A Cinematografica S.r.l.

Other Companies

• Cine Audio Effects  sound effects
• Forum Studio  music recorded at
• Jeremy Walker + Associates  DVD publicity
• Studio 4  titles and opticals

Also Known As:

C'era una volta in America (Italy)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, sexual content, language and some drug use. (edited version)

Runtime:

229 min | USA:139 min (re-cut)

Country:

Italy | USA

Language:

English | Italian | French

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 (1990) | Finland:K-18 (1984) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A | Iceland:16 | UK:18 (cut) | Brazil:14 | Germany:16 (f) (re-rating) (2003) | West Germany:18 (f) (original rating) (1984-2003) | Portugal:M/16 | Australia:R | France:U (Original rating) | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Italy:VM14 | Japan:R-15 | Netherlands:12 (original rating) | Netherlands:16 (re-rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:18 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Embassy International Pictures

Trivia:

Police Chief Aiello is played by an actor with the same name, Danny Aiello.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Deborah removes her theatrical make-up, her hands get covered a mix of greasepaint and make-up remover. When she says "I thought you might know why"- "Me? Why me?" they're clean.

Quotes:

[first lines]
[In 1933, two goons rudely question a young woman]
Beefy: Where is he? Where's he hiding?
Eve: I don't know... I've been looking for him since yesterday.
[second goon slaps her harshly; she falls onto the bed]
Beefy: I'm gonna ask you for the last time: Where is he?
Eve: I don't know... What are you gonna do to him?
[Two shots are head]
Beefy: [to his partner] Stay here in case that rat shows up...

Movie Connections:

Featured in Bullets Over Hollywood (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

LA GAZZA LADRA (from LP 894 103 ROSSINI OVERTURE)

A masterpiece and an atrocity!

This movie was a masterpiece. It ranks as one of the very best in film history, if not the best. At Cannes people yelled and screamed, couldn't believe just how good it was. The profound atrocity was a combination of two completely brainless acts, the first being Zack Stienberg's hatchet job for US release, supposedly requested by either Warner Bros or The Ladd Company (one blames the other now) and the second was the lack of anyone (and everyone)to post anything in this great film for Academy Award consideration, of which probably as many as 14 nominations and 4 sure- fire Oscars went down the toilet.

These atrocities were perpretrated, I believe, with two reasons in mind, the first to preserve the dim hope of "The Killing Fields" (Daly & Semel's baby) of garnering any awards... and second, to try to boost up the non- foreign chances. Warner Bros knew just how good it was, that goes without saying. The problem was... they already had their share of cash cows and they wanted a real star- studded showpiece to point at. The small minds already had their showpiece but, alas, it was an "eye- tallyan" flick with a producer/director who didn't communicate well. The hatchet job was carefully planned, I believe... the so- called "sneak preview" was done in Canada and not well received, probably due to the fact that the sound system was over- amped and the film 'broke' 3 or 4 times during the showing, what a farce! The awards snub started with the GGs and carried right thru. What a myriad of stupid and utterly pointless decisions! Must have literally tore Leone's heart out when he learned what they had done.

Morricone's score was a sure- thing Oscar, no question about it. DeNiro and maybe even Woods would have fought it out for best actor, Tuesday Weld as supporting actress, any one of 4 or 5 other supporting actors & actresses, most notably William Forsythe, cinematography, film editing, the list goes on & on... (best picture...Amadeus???? give me a break!!) Just what in the hell were they thinking?

Saw it in a theater 20 years ago and then again on TV about 1998 and finally in its correct format(on DVD) about two years ago and again last week at a friend's house. Stirred up all those angry thoughts all over again... sorry about that, getting' old & crotchety.