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

[oliver_67]

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.

Fantastic. OUATIA had been my favorite film of all time for over 20 years. It was surpassed by Tarkovsky's Mirror and Ozu's Tokyo story for a few years. Now it came right back to top my personal favorite listing again.

I must have at least watched the film for over 20 times during the last 25 years. It is the best film about love and friendship, and betrayal. De Niro captured the passive nature of the character beautifully. His character, or weakness decided that he would become a lifetime loser. De Niro's understated performance contrasts beautifully with the over the top performance by Woods. Take a look at the 31 second close up of De Niro's face when he met senator Bailey's son for the first time. You can tell that the character ran through initial shock and surprise, to pain and at a loss and regret, to eventually regaining his composure and total disappointment.

I don't have time to write more for now. Have recommended the film to over two dozen people in the past years. It seems that everyone of them has a positive opinion on the film. Quite a few of them consider it the best film/one of the best films they ever watched. And one common reaction was "why I have never heard of the film before?".

[the sordid sentinel]

Just got done watching this..God what a film. 1st time giving this version the full sit down and it does not disappoint. Wow.

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by oliver_67

Fantastic. OUATIA had been my favorite film of all time for over 20 years. It was surpassed by Tarkovsky's Mirror and Ozu's Tokyo story for a few years. Now it came right back to top my personal favorite listing again.

I must have at least watched the film for over 20 times during the last 25 years. It is the best film about love and friendship, and betrayal. De Niro captured the passive nature of the character beautifully. His character, or weakness decided that he would become a lifetime loser. De Niro's understated performance contrasts beautifully with the over the top performance by Woods. Take a look at the 31 second close up of De Niro's face when he met senator Bailey's son for the first time. You can tell that the character ran through initial shock and surprise, to pain and at a loss and regret, to eventually regaining his composure and total disappointment.

I don't have time to write more for now. Have recommended the film to over two dozen people in the past years. It seems that everyone of them has a positive opinion on the film. Quite a few of them consider it the best film/one of the best films they ever watched. And one common reaction was "why I have never heard of the film before?".

Well its not even my favourite Leone film but I know exactly what you mean and why you think that. Its so underrated.

[G-D2700]

Anyone need a digital copy of Once Upon a Time in America? First to respond gets it. I'll inbox the code to you. Expires by 8/11/18

[MLabrosc02]

Originally Posted by G-D2700

Anyone need a digital copy of Once Upon a Time in America? First to respond gets it. I'll inbox the code to you. Expires by 8/11/18

If it's available I will take it. Thanks

[G-D2700]

Originally Posted by MLabrosc02

If it's available I will take it. Thanks

Sent.

[oliver_67]

Originally Posted by JimDiGriz

Well its not even my favourite Leone film but I know exactly what you mean and why you think that. Its so underrated.

It's not perfect. Once upon a time in the West is a more perfect film but OUATIA is a superior film even with flaws here and there.

[oliver_67]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

There's actually at least 5 I believe:

Original: 269
European release: 229 (Current BD runtime)
US release: 139
Restored: 256 (shown at Cannes)
Restored BD (Italy): 251 (not sure if that's the exact runtime, but it's less than the Cannes cut)

There's also another TV cut that's apparently about 3 hour long, but I don't know the exact runtime, or any other details, aside from what's mentioned on the Wiki:

There is also a rumored initial cut for over 6 hours that Leone was planning to release in theatre as two parts.

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by oliver_67

There is also a rumored initial cut for over 6 hours that Leone was planning to release in theatre as two parts.

I forget the exact details, but there was a TV cut with more to the "swapping the baby tags" scene, and probably more.

Would be awesome if the 269 min cut makes it out in decent quality.

[agenda]

Originally Posted by oliver_67

There is also a rumored initial cut for over 6 hours that Leone was planning to release in theatre as two parts.

What the hell!? Is that true, I mean for real??? This is the first time I heard about it.

[agenda]

Originally Posted by drush9999

Would be awesome if the 269 min cut makes it out in decent quality.

Indeed. I've been waiting that day to come like... I don't even have a word for that.

[oliver_67]

Originally Posted by agenda

What the hell!? Is that true, I mean for real??? This is the first time I heard about it.

It was. The proposal was rejected as Warner was afraid of repeating the 1900 massive failure.

[MaestroJules]

Just saw this comparison of the US extended blu and the latest Italian blu:

https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&...=47705&i=0&l=0

Same master and colors but the Italian offers more image on the left and right side and the US seems to be zoomed in a bit. What do you guys think of that? Is the Italian more correct?

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by MaestroJules

Just saw this comparison of the US extended blu and the latest Italian blu:

https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&...=47705&i=0&l=0

Same master and colors but the Italian offers more image on the left and right side and the US seems to be zoomed in a bit. What do you guys think of that? Is the Italian more correct?

Looks like the 1.85:1 frame of the Italian Blu is cropped to 1.77:1 on the US Blu.

The Italian is more correct for that reason alone.

[MaestroJules]

Originally Posted by drush9999

Looks like the 1.85:1 frame of the Italian Blu is cropped to 1.77:1 on the US Blu.

The Italian is more correct for that reason alone.

Thanks! That's what I assumed as well.

Ok, so the Italian it is. Does anyone happen to know if this edition has an English or Italian master when it comes to title inserts? I'm expecting them to be Italian. Guess one always has to make a compromise when it comes to "Once upon a time...".

[kwisatzhaderach]

Ugh, wanted to pick this up and it's now OOP. You snooze you lose.

[Kleeberg]

Glad I picked this up when I did.

[UnbelievableMontages]

Originally Posted by kwisatzhaderach

Ugh, wanted to pick this up and it's now OOP. You snooze you lose.

I'm sure a 4K is around the corner one of these days.

[LMFAObros]

Originally Posted by kwisatzhaderach

Ugh, wanted to pick this up and it's now OOP. You snooze you lose.

Yeah I found the fox 2 discer for $5 last year but if you search around secondhand shops/ebah you might be able to find one of the warner releases of this if you get lucky.

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by UnbelievableMontages

I'm sure a 4K is around the corner one of these days.

I hope so. I've been waiting ages as it is. Or any Leone in 4K would be nice!