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

[GoldMotel]

Originally Posted by CMoney

Very interesting. Today, the Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today, that they will be screening the extended version, as part of the 52nd New York Film Festival, this September. Their press release stated that this version of the film "includes 22-minutes of restored footage, never before seen in the United States." This would indicated that the cut that will be screened, will be 251 minutes (229 + 22). Knowing this, I would be very surprised if the Blu-ray contains the full 269 minute cut.

So, you might not want to get your hopes up.

I don't remember, but did the Cannes cut ever screen in the US? Because if it did, the "22 minutes of restored footage" would just about add up to 269 minutes.

[tylergfoster]

Originally Posted by jrsl76

Ok, so I'm confused. This release will include the current 229 minute version and the new extended? If so, that is great news. If this new version is anything like the extended TGTBATU, then I'll watch it once and realize I vastly prefer the other cut.

This is different, in that Leone never wanted it to be cut. It was hacked to pieces by Warner Bros. and has gone down as one of the major "mistreatment" stories in film history. Much of the footage found here was initially thought lost and so this is a big event.

Based on what Akijama wrote, this will contain the thoroughly butchered Theatrical Cut -- not the cut that's been available on 2-disc DVD, but an even further truncated version, and the new restoration.

If I remember correctly, there was a bunch of footage that was found and most of it was restored for Cannes, but there was still more footage they hadn't finished restoring and correcting in time for that premiere, and that this may be, for the first time, the full 269m.

[Randall Flagg]

I used to have the DVD. What version was that? What is added in the extended version? I heard an extended rape scene?

[CMoney]

Originally Posted by GoldMotel

I don't remember, but did the Cannes cut ever screen in the US? Because if it did, the "22 minutes of restored footage" would just about add up to 269 minutes.

According to the Cannes website, the runtime was listed as 253 minutes. As many of you know, some of the footage could not be screened, due to rights issues. This will be the 1st time the extended cut will screened outside of Cannes

It's not out of the realm of possibility, that the rights issues for the remaining footage was settled. Once individual tickets go on sale, the runtime will be known. Whatever runtime the screening will have, will be very likely the runtime of the BD.

[noirjunkie]

I'm just hoping this doesn't turn into a The Big Red One-style debacle.

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

I'm just hoping this doesn't turn into a The Big Red One-style debacle.

Definitely.

[JimDiGriz]

Looks a really nice set and Im tempted already!

Definitely going to wait and see what the state of the new scenes is in though - the Italian one sounded ropey by all accounts. Hopefully Warner will have the sense to spread this over two discs like Lord of the Rings etc (and hopefully not end the first disc in a stupid place like the DVD set did!).

[TheHutt]

Originally Posted by Akijama

Release date: September 30

It will be available as a Extended Director's Cut + Theatrical (BD/DVD) combo and as a standalone release (EC only).

Source: WHV press site

Only one BluRay? Then it will suffer the same compression issues the Italian disc has.

[GenPion]

WHV should not issue this with only one Blu-ray. We will be looking at a transfer with bit-rates around 12-13 mbps tops. That's... really not that good at all. Disappointing. Hopefully this is updated.

[movielib]

Originally Posted by tylergfoster

This is different, in that Leone never wanted it to be cut. It was hacked to pieces by Warner Bros. and has gone down as one of the major "mistreatment" stories in film history. Much of the footage found here was initially thought lost and so this is a big event.

Based on what Akijama wrote, this will contain the thoroughly butchered Theatrical Cut -- not the cut that's been available on 2-disc DVD, but an even further truncated version, and the new restoration.

If I remember correctly, there was a bunch of footage that was found and most of it was restored for Cannes, but there was still more footage they hadn't finished restoring and correcting in time for that premiere, and that this may be, for the first time, the full 269m.

I can't believe they would include the original US theatrical release which was not only chopped to pieces, cut by well over an hour, and then assembled back together in chronological order, completely destroying the structure of the film and making it incomprehensible. It was rightfully panned by critics. I know because I was one of the few who had the misfortune of seeing it in the theater. As far as I know, the only home video release of the monstrosity was on video cassette (perhaps also CED and/or LD around the same time, but I don't know) and then, thankfully, it has never been seen again.

[chris1234]

If the details regarding this release are correct it's great news.

Hopefully the U.S. release won't suffer from the compression and color problems of the Italian 251 minute version.

It looks like a book accompanies the release - can't wait to find out more.

[rickah88]

Don't own this on blu-ray, yet...that's about to change.
Now I wonder if this will appear for preorder on Amazon, and if so, how long?

[Pecker]

Originally Posted by movielib

I can't believe they would include the original US theatrical release which was not only chopped to pieces, cut by well over an hour, and then assembled back together in chronological order, completely destroying the structure of the film and making it incomprehensible. It was rightfully panned by critics. I know because I was one of the few who had the misfortune of seeing it in the theater. As far as I know, the only home video release of the monstrosity was on video cassette (perhaps also CED and/or LD around the same time, but I don't know) and then, thankfully, it has never been seen again.

And yet Criterion included the 'Love Conquers All' version of Brazil.

Steve W

[Dwigt]

We have zero details so far about the content of the edition, apart from the runtime. Plans may have been changed compared to January, the film may be split over two discs, there could be just one or two cuts, etc. And we don't even know the condition of the added scenes, as we just have the 2012 work-in-progress as a reference. So, let's try to keep a cool head on this...

[Firecrackker]

Never seen this. How does it compare with Once Upon a Time in the West?

[movielib]

Originally Posted by Pecker

And yet Criterion included the 'Love Conquers All' version of Brazil.

Steve W

Well, I could see it being included as an extra for historical purposes. If so, it should have a commentary by people who really know the history who can point out every lamebrain decision studio executives made.

[JeffTheMovieGuy]

I'd probably double dip it because of the digibook packaging but this is one of those movies that you have to set a date to watch it and you better pack a lunch because you are going to be at it all day.

[AlexIlDottore]

Originally Posted by Firecrackker

Never seen this. How does it compare with Once Upon a Time in the West?

Once Upon a Time in the West is one of the greatest westerns of all time.

Once Upon a Time in America is one of the greatest "gangster" (to put it simply) films of all time.

If you like Leone, I believe you can blind buy it.

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by AlexIlDottore

Once Upon a Time in the West is one of the greatest westerns of all time.

Once Upon a Time in America is one of the greatest "gangster" (to put it simply) films of all time.

If you like Leone, I believe you can blind buy it.

+1. Once Upon a Time in America isnt quite as brilliant as The Godfather Parts 1 & 2 and Goodfellas but its a great 4th - not bad competition though!

Once Upon a Time in the West is my joint favourite Western of all time - not hard to guess what the other one is

[lolwut]

Man that airbrushed giant face artwork is awful. This would've been better: