Once Upon a Time in America (1984) (Extended Director's Cut)

[heineken]

Originally Posted by UltraMario9

Speaking of Woods, this is one of my all time favourite endings:
Cop End Scene

Love that flick. One of my favorite performances by Mr. Woods!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

I mostly hate the revisionist colors and the way too heavy blacks. I don't mind the sepia look, but the blacks are crushing so much detail, and I'll never like "yellow" whites and "blue" blacks. It's a shame it got ruined like so many other "restorations" coming out of Ritrovata. One day we'll get a proper, accurate version, hopefully just like The Good The Bad & The Ugly. They just hate giving up correct versions of Leone films, I guess.

Yeah it is strange that Leone's films seem to struggle with getting proper color timing for his films. Might be the only director I can think of that has this issue with his catalog. I suppose part of the reason is because he's not here to give his input but at the same time there seems to be releases that do feature pretty close or at least a good effort to get them right but they are strictly limited to certain blu rays. It's puzzling. Kino's botch job for TGTBATU was strictly due to complete incompetence IMO but the same could be argued for the 2014 MGM release as well though I like that blu ray even though it has it's color timing issues as well. Either way though I found the color timing on Once upon a time in America pleasing.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by MassiveMovieBuff

Yeah it is strange that Leone's films seem to struggle with getting proper color timing for his films. Might be the only director I can think of that has this issue with his catalog. I suppose part of the reason is because he's not here to give his input but at the same time there seems to be releases that do feature pretty close or at least a good effort to get them right but they are strictly limited to certain blu rays. It's puzzling. Kino's botch job for TGTBATU was strictly due to complete incompetence IMO but the same could be argued for the 2014 MGM release as well though I like that blu ray even though it has it's color timing issues as well. Either way though I found the color timing on Once upon a time in America pleasing.

Isn't that rep largely based on a few restorations done by the same company that has a habit of revisionist color exaggerations (or however you want to put it)? I'm not sure Leone suffers any great challenges than any other passed on (or uninvolved) director. Also even when the director is supposedly involved there can be controversies, like with Scanners, French Connection and Thief. Even when there are film prints to directly compare some people disagree with the results.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by MassiveMovieBuff

Yeah it is strange that Leone's films seem to struggle with getting proper color timing for his films. Might be the only director I can think of that has this issue with his catalog. I suppose part of the reason is because he's not here to give his input but at the same time there seems to be releases that do feature pretty close or at least a good effort to get them right but they are strictly limited to certain blu rays. It's puzzling. Kino's botch job for TGTBATU was strictly due to complete incompetence IMO but the same could be argued for the 2014 MGM release as well though I like that blu ray even though it has it's color timing issues as well. Either way though I found the color timing on Once upon a time in America pleasing.

Well, the problem with the 2014 disc is that they consulted a person (an assistant camera operator) who would have ZERO knowledge or even be a part of the color timing process. KINO just exacerbated the problem by trying to put lipstick on a pig. The real problem, however, is whoever is in charge at Ritrovata.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Isn't that rep largely based on a few restorations done by the same company that has a habit of revisionist color exaggerations (or however you want to put it)? I'm not sure Leone suffers any great challenges than any other passed on (or uninvolved) director. Also even when the director is supposedly involved there can be controversies, like with Scanners, French Connection and Thief. Even when there are film prints to directly compare some people disagree with the results.

Yeah that is true too. It just seems that Leone's films arguably have the most drastic changes done to them. I don't know what the hell Friedkin was thinking with that initial French Connection but it got corrected for the most part. One of the things that threw me off the most with Leone's color timings beside TGTBATU were some screenshots JohnCarpenterFan had posted on Kino's TGTBATU thread for Fistful of Dollars' restoration. It was a comparison between the Italian blu ray (I believe) vs the restoration from Ritrovata that did the 2014 MGM TGTBATU. The other restoration seems much more in line with how it's supposed to look but then again that also falls in line with which one fans prefer more so it basically comes down to a pick your poison situation again.

After seeing the new 4K restoration for T2 and noticing Cameron put some teal in it makes me question whether the teal was ever meant to be there for Aliens and The Terminator even after I heard there had been teal in the original prints for those films. It's not a huge deal for me though since I find those transfers stunning (excluding the new T2 due to the DNR and EE but we'll have to see on the upcoming blu ray) and there's still plenty of gorgeous blues present in those transfers. I also had read a post recently about the 35mm print for Thief having teal in it as well from someone who had seen a screening for it recently.

[Poya]

Originally Posted by MassiveMovieBuff

Yeah that is true too. It just seems that Leone's films arguably have the most drastic changes done to them. I don't know what the hell Friedkin was thinking with that initial French Connection but it got corrected for the most part. One of the things that threw me off the most with Leone's color timings beside TGTBATU were some screenshots JohnCarpenterFan had posted on Kino's TGTBATU thread for Fistful of Dollars' restoration. It was a comparison between the Italian blu ray (I believe) vs the restoration from Ritrovata that did the 2014 MGM TGTBATU. The other restoration seems much more in line with how it's supposed to look but then again that also falls in line with which one fans prefer more so it basically comes down to a pick your poison situation again.

After seeing the new 4K restoration for T2 and noticing Cameron put some teal in it makes me question whether the teal was ever meant to be there for Aliens and The Terminator even after I heard there had been teal in the original prints for those films. It's not a huge deal for me though since I find those transfers stunning (excluding the new T2 due to the DNR and EE but we'll have to see on the upcoming blu ray) and there's still plenty of gorgeous blues present in those transfers. I also had read a post recently about the 35mm print for Thief having teal in it as well from someone who had seen a screening for it recently.

Keep in mind: Cameron uses teal a lot as a throwback to the silent era, which tinted their films to reflect a certain place or time, like blue would be night.

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

Well, the problem with the 2014 disc is that they consulted a person (an assistant camera operator) who would have ZERO knowledge or even be a part of the color timing process. KINO just exacerbated the problem by trying to put lipstick on a pig. The real problem, however, is whoever is in charge at Ritrovata.

This is so wrong it's ridiculous. The camera crew (especially the 1st and 2nd AC's) work VERY closely with the DP and would absolutely know the look they are trying to achieve. This all boils down to Ritrovata's involvement and nothing more.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by JoeBuck

This is so wrong it's ridiculous. The camera crew (especially the 1st and 2nd AC's) work VERY closely with the DP and would absolutely know the look they are trying to achieve. This all boils down to Ritrovata's involvement and nothing more.

I think film negs show they were trying to achieve a yellowy sepia tone look, it's just that the Ritrovata goes overboard with it and also adds too much green.

[syndicate]

IF anyone still have not gotten the Blu-ray of this movie. It only 5.99 at Best Buy. Well the one released by Fox in 2015, that has both the Extended Director's Cut and Theater Cut. Since anything Recency is now released by Fox. If not on the racks, then it should be in the 5.99 Blu-ray bargain bin.

[Blueherring]

Looking at picking up this release, however I am in Aus with region B player only. Was reading back over this thread and confused as to whether this is region A locked or region free?
People had said its region A locked, but on the listing in Blu-ray.com it says it is region A & B...
Can anyone assist, also I want to know for both discs.

I'm talking about this version
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1
Thanks

[StingingVelvet]

Warner never lock their discs so if you get the Warner version it will be fine. I really doubt Fox would lock it when it switched to them but I guess you never know. I own the Warner so can't test the Fox for you.

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by Blueherring

Looking at picking up this release, however I am in Aus with region B player only. Was reading back over this thread and confused as to whether this is region A locked or region free?
People had said its region A locked, but on the listing in Blu-ray.com it says it is region A & B...
Can anyone assist, also I want to know for both discs.

I'm talking about this version
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1
Thanks

I have the Fox one and it plays region A and B at least. As I played this on my locked PS3.

[ArnoldLayne56]

Originally Posted by MJD64

A friend of mine was in a restaurant with his wife and son some years ago and spotted James Woods. He approached him for an autograph and Woods obliged, also chatting for a bit and agreeing to pose for a picture of the two of them. You never know what you'll get when approaching a celebrity and as much as I likewise admire Woods, my guess would've been he'd be prickly if approached; was so glad to hear it was quite the opposite.

Those with a conservative political bent will want to follow Mr Woods on Twitter, for sure ...

[ArnoldLayne56]

Just began watching the extended version disc last night, and see that the dual disc BD package with both cuts plus UV is $5.99 Amazon Prime. I'll take that deal to get the theatrical version, UV, and Richard Schickel commentary.
Cheers....

[drush9999]

After years of pining for the 269 minute version, we finally get something approaching it, and I was really disappointed. If they unearth the rest of the footage, I might give it another go, but I think the 229 minute version is the definitive cut.

[lilboyblu]

Originally Posted by ArnoldLayne56

Just began watching the extended version disc last night, and see that the dual disc BD package with both cuts plus UV is $5.99 Amazon Prime. I'll take that deal to get the theatrical version, UV, and Richard Schickel commentary.
Cheers....

Just an FYI for those that may not have prime, they’re matching Best Buy which has had it at that price for months: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/once-up...1984/5972807.p

[MJD64]

Once Upon A Time In America was a blind buy on Laserdisc for me way back in 1985 and I've loved it ever since. As in his iconic spaghetti westerns Leone makes everything a bit larger than life, which takes the whole film right into the mythic by the conclusion. With it's themes of betrayal, regret and lost love, it felt like Leone was evoking The Great Gatsby in some ways, and with a similar message of how one cannot achieve the American dream without getting their hands dirty. There are honestly no good guys here, and the epic scale and length is matched by the epic emotions on display (I find many epics have a certain emotional aloofness; this film is certainly not among them).

Robert De Niro gives what I consider to be his finest understated performance in Once Upon A Time In America. He's a man of few words who keeps his raging emotions in check until they ultimately spill out in displays of rape and violence that are frequently shocking. James Woods, on the other hand, doesn't hold anything back and is magnetic in this film. Again, I think both these outstanding actors give career-defining performances.

And like icing on the cake, that mournful, majestic and flat-out beautiful Ennio Morricone score gets me every time...

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by MJD64

[Show spoiler]Once Upon A Time In America was a blind buy on Laserdisc for me way back in 1985 and I've loved it ever since. As in his iconic spaghetti westerns Leone makes everything a bit larger than life, which takes the whole film right into the mythic by the conclusion. With it's themes of betrayal, regret and lost love, it felt like Leone was evoking The Great Gatsby in some ways, and with a similar message of how one cannot achieve the American dream without getting their hands dirty. There are honestly no good guys here, and the epic scale and length is matched by the epic emotions on display (I find many epics have a certain emotional aloofness; this film is certainly not among them).

Robert De Niro gives what I consider to be his finest understated performance in Once Upon A Time In America. He's a man of few words who keeps his raging emotions in check until they ultimately spill out in displays of rape and violence that are frequently shocking. James Woods, on the other hand, doesn't hold anything back and is magnetic in this film. Again, I think both these outstanding actors give career-defining performances.

[Show spoiler]And like icing on the cake, that mournful, majestic and flat-out beautiful Ennio Morricone score gets me every time..

.

That's interesting.

Robert De Niro is my favorite actor of all time and Once Upon a Time In America is one of my favorite films. But I personally consider it to be one of his weakest performances.

I felt as though he did not have a clear sense of who his character was supposed to be.

And it came through in the performance.

[MJD64]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

That's interesting.

Robert De Niro is my favorite actor of all time and Once Upon a Time In the West is one of my favorite films. But I personally consider it to be one of his weakest performances.

I felt as though he did not have a clear sense of who his character was supposed to be.

And it came through in the performance.

Couldn't disagree more, Ray Jackson. De Niro is playing a man who is far too passive in both his relationships and the actions that will shape his life and can only display his roiling emotions through violence. He spends a lifetime of pained regret mourning both a close friend and childhood love who have both essentialy betrayed him. After having this tragic life, he discovers the truth at an age when he simply can't even bring himself to care anymore. In short, he's the loser in this story and I feel De Niro (again, in his own understated but clearly pained way) conveys that superbly.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by MJD64

Couldn't disagree more, Ray Jackson. De Niro is playing a man who is far too passive in both his relationships and the actions that will shape his life and can only display his roiling emotions through violence. He spends a lifetime of pained regret mourning both a close friend and childhood love who have both essentialy betrayed him. After having this tragic life, he discovers the truth at an age when he simply can't even bring himself to care anymore. In short, he's the loser in this story and I feel De Niro (again, in his own understated but clearly pained way) conveys that superbly.

Well I think those are perfectly reasonable counter arguments.