Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

Réalisateur:

Sergio Leone

Writers:

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

Release Date:

1 juin 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drame

Accroche:

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:

Mafia Boss | Masturbation | Betrayal By Friend | Gangster Film | Italian American

Awards:

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

Avis des utilisateurs:

Leone's "Godfather" Version, And About As Good

Ensemble

Robert De Niro	...	David 'Noodles' Aaronson
James Woods	...	Maximilian 'Max' Bercovicz
Elizabeth McGovern	...	Deborah Gelly
Tuesday Weld	...	Carol
Treat Williams	...	James Conway O'Donnell
James Hayden	...	Patrick 'Patsy' Goldberg
Joe Pesci	...	Frankie Minaldi
Larry Rapp	...	'Fat' Moe Gelly
Danny Aiello	...	Police Chief Vincent Aiello
William Forsythe	...	Philip 'Cockeye' Stein
Burt Young	...	Joe
Darlanne Fluegel	...	Eve (as Darlanne Fleugel)
Dutch Miller	...	Van Linden
Robert Harper	...	Sharkey
Richard Bright	...	Chicken Joe
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 Tiler	...	Young Noodles
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 Member #1
Joey Marzella	...	Bugsy's Gang Member #2
Clem Caserta	...	Al Capuano
Frank Sisto	...	Fred Capuano
Jerry Strivelli	...	Johnny Capuano
Julie Cohen	...	Young Peggy
Marvin Scott	...	Marvin Brentley
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	...	Limousine Chauffeur
Bruno Iannone	...	Thug
Marty Licata	...	Cemetery Caretaker
Marcia Jean Kurtz	...	Max's Mother
Estelle Harris	...	Peggy's Mother
Richard Foronjy	...	Officer 'Fartface' Whitey (as Richard Foronji)
Gerritt Debeer	...	Drunk
Jennifer Connelly	...	Young Deborah
Alexander Godfrey	...	Newstand Proprietor
Cliff Cudney	...	Mounted Policeman #1
Paul Farentino	...	Mounted Policeman #2
Bruce Bahrenburg	...	Sgt. P. Halloran
Mort Freeman	...	Street Singer
Sandra Solberg	...	Friend of Young Deborah
Jay Zeely	...	Foreman
Massimo Liti	...	Macrò
reste de la distribution par ordre alphabétique:
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)

Réalisé par
Sergio Leone

Scénaristes
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

Produit par
Claudio Mancini	....	executive producer
Arnon Milchan	....	producer

Musique originale
Ennio Morricone

Image
Tonino Delli Colli

Montage
Nino Baragli
Zach Staenberg		(uncredited)

Distribution des rôles
Cis Corman
Joy Todd

Création des décors
Carlo Simi		(uncredited)

Direction artistique
Carlo Simi

Création des costumes
Gabriella Pescucci

Maquillage
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)

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

Assistant réalisateur
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
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)

Technicien du son
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)

Effets spéciaux
Louis Craig	....	special effects assistant: Montreal
Gabe Videla	....	special effects: Montreal
Danilo Bollettini	....	special effects (uncredited)
Giovanni Corridori	....	special effects (uncredited)
Jacques Godbout	....	special effects (uncredited)

Cascadeur
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)

Divers
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
• Warner Bros. Pictures
• Wishbone

Distributors

• Regency Entertainment (2008) (USA) (all media)
• Société Nouvelle de Cinématographie (SNC) (1984) (France) (theatrical)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• 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)
• European Video Corporation (EVC) (1984) (Belgium) (video)
• Flashstar Home Vídeo (1998) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Flashstar Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Jugendfilm-Verleih (1984) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• LW Editora (Brazil) (DVD)
• Warner Bros. (France)
• Warner Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)
• Warner Home Vídeo (2003) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Warner Home Vídeo (2003) (Brazil) (VHS)

Technicien des effets spéciaux

• 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

Autre(s) titre(s) :

C'era una volta in America (Italy)
Il était une fois en Amérique (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]

MPAA:

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

Durée:

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

Pays:

Italy | USA

Langue:

Anglais | Italien | Français

Couleur:

Couleur (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Son:

Mono

Classification:

Brazil:18 | UK:18 (cut) | Germany:16 (f) (re-rating) (2003) | Iceland:16 | Finland:K-18 (1984) | Finland:K-16 (1990) | Australia:MA (TV rating) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | West Germany:18 (f) (original rating) (1984-2003) | Portugal:M/16 | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Australia:R | France:-12 (re-rating) (2003) | France:-16 (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

Emplacements De Pelliculage:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Embassy International Pictures

Anecdotes:

James Woods said Robert De Niro suggested that Woods wear a set of perfect, bright white teeth to demonstrate the aging character's wealth and vanity. The producers balked at the cost, so De Niro paid for them himself.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Container cargo cranes are visible when the boys are waiting to for the crates of booze to float to the surface. Containerized cargo was not used until the middle 1950s.

Guillemet:

[first lines]
Beefy: Where is he? Where's he hiding?
Eve: I don't know... I've been looking for him since yesterday.
[a second goon slaps her harshly]
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?

Connexions De Film:

Referenced in "Pastewka: Der Gutschein (#2.1)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

NIGHT AND DAY

Leone's "Godfather" Version, And About As Good

This Godfather-type film was done by Sergio Leone, of spaghetti-western fame, so you know you will see and experience several of his trademarks. Namely: (1) a lot of facial closeups; (2) some slow-motion or slow-moving dramatic scenes; (3) good overall photography and (4) a unique soundtrack.

The period sets here are magnificent. You get a real feel of the time, whether it's 1910, 1933 or 1967. The colors are awash in blacks, browns and grays and the DVD brings all these out very well, especially considering the film is over 20 years old.

Despite some of Leone's slow moments, this is a fascinating film to watch for the story, too. There are numerous memorable scenes, some of them involving some downright shocking violence, even for today's movies. However, the amount of violence is less than what you see today.

The movie also sports an interesting twist near the end involving the two major characters, played by Robert De Niro and James Woods. The story is not always clear, either, so be prepared to be possibly confused about a few things....at least on the first viewing. Confused or not, this film always is fascinating to view, especially with intense actors such as the two men just mentioned, along with Elizabeth McGovern, Tuesday Weld, Joe Pecsi, Burt Young, Treat Williams and more.

The child actors in here take up almost half the movie and are excellent. What an injustice they don't receive any publicity for their acting, especially the kids who played De Niro and Woods as youngsters. One of the girls has become a famous adult actress: Jennifer Connelly. She was 12 years old in this film and was already alluring.

This is Godfather-type crime movie that ranks right up there with that famous film, not taking a back seat to it at all.