Once Upon a Time in America

Name: Once Upon a Time in America
Genre: Drama, Crime
Released: June 1, 1984
Duration: 229 min
Rating: 75
Cast: Burt Young, Danny Aiello, Elizabeth McGovern, James Hayden, James Woods

1984

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 125 Ratings

See All

7.6

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.6	Your Score
7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 125 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Once Upon A Time In America

Now Playing: Once Upon A Time In America

Movie Details & Credits

Société Nouvelle de Cinématographie (SNC) | Release Date: June 1, 1984 | R

Starring: Burt Young, Danny Aiello, Elizabeth McGovern, James Hayden, James Woods, Joe Pesci, Robert De Niro, Treat Williams, Tuesday Weld, William Forsythe

Summary: A former Prohibition-era Jewish gangster returns to the Lower East Side of Manhattan over thirty years later, where he once again must confront the ghosts and regrets of his old life.

Director: Sergio Leone

Genre(s): Drama, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 229 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Steve Simels

A brilliantly detailed Lower East Side Jewish version of The Godfather. Read full review

100

Roger Ebert

An epic poem of violence and greed. Read full review

100

Keith Phipps

A film of fatally flawed heroes, oversized passions, nation-building, and, inevitably, violence, America follows its characters from childhood to old age by way of the kind of grand-scale filmmaking that wouldn't be seen again until Martin Scorsese's Gangs Of New York. [2014 re-release] Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

This is Leone's gangster film to end all gangster films, a work of tremendous intellectual depth and emotional range. Read full review

David Sterritt

Although substantially shortened for its United States release, this violent drama still has the feel of an epic, as director Sergio Leone explores the seamiest byways of urban Americana through the story of two gangsters who start their partnership as Brooklyn kids in 1921 and tragically end it in the late '60s. Yet the story has gaps and many of the incidents have a flatness which suggest deeper flaws than cutting and trimming probably account for. [U.S. theatrical release] Read full review

Donald Clarke

Once Upon a Time in America remains the most “problematic” of Leone’s major pictures. It is enveloping, operatic and slightly mad. We can forgive the confusion and the non- synchronised dialogue. But to this day the misogyny remains indigestible. [2014 re-release] Read full review

Gary Arnold

This would-be epic schlep, dragging almost 50 years of chronology over a sluggish 140 minutes, is far too slight of text and ponderous of presentation to sustain more than nodding-off dramatic interest. [U.S. theatrical release] Read full review

SEE ALL 20 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

LubyK

Jul 29, 2019

The last masterpiece of Sergio Leone with Robert De Niro, James Woods and Elizabeth McGovern. It’s powerful and brilliant. A very masterpiece.

0 of 12 users found this helpful012

mazewaxie

Jun 8, 2019

Sergio Leone's last and most ambitious project is simply one of the greatest gangster films ever made.

0 of 10 users found this helpful010

zak_smith

Nov 2, 2020

A haunting and engulfing masterpiece of cinema, with enough beauty and craftwork to become an enduring classic for years to come. Incredible direction, incredible performances, and an incredible score.

1 of 11 users found this helpful110

Richmond95

Oct 5, 2019

This is a review of the "European Cut" a nearly 4-hour long movie. Once Upon a Time in America is simply one of my favorite films, and one of the best gangster films. Telling the story of a gang from childhood to adulthood, wonderfully filmed, paced brilliantly, it's tragic, it's messed up,This is a review of the "European Cut" a nearly 4-hour long movie. Once Upon a Time in America is simply one of my favorite films, and one of the best gangster films. Telling the story of a gang from childhood to adulthood, wonderfully filmed, paced brilliantly, it's tragic, it's messed up, it's just a wonderful cinematic masterpiece. I don't think it's very everyone but I think it's worth all the attention in the world.… Expand

0 of 6 users found this helpful06

Mqrko

Jul 29, 2019

One of the best film ever made with an incredible story, an extraordinary soundtrack and an amazing acting and art direction.

1 of 10 users found this helpful19

Parsa_

Aug 1, 2020

Perfect One of best movie i ever see...

Story:amazing
Actors: amazing Everting: amazing

1 of 11 users found this helpful110

tkc88

Jun 19, 2018

Going for nearly 4 hours, this crime epic had its good parts. However it has dated pretty poorly. Set during the 20s, 30s and 60s, it looks far too much like a 1980s film, which it is.

The score (composed by Ennio Morricone, who is a genius) belongs in a romance film, not a misogynisticGoing for nearly 4 hours, this crime epic had its good parts. However it has dated pretty poorly. Set during the 20s, 30s and 60s, it looks far too much like a 1980s film, which it is.

The score (composed by Ennio Morricone, who is a genius) belongs in a romance film, not a misogynistic gangster film where the men routinely assault and objectify women. It also has a very 1980s sounding version of "Yesterday", which is laughable.

The characters are unsympathetic and unremarkable, giving you no reason to root for Robert De Niro's character as he returns to his old neighbourhood for revenge.

Easily the worst film of Sergio Leone's catalogue.… Expand

11 of 11 users found this helpful110

SEE ALL 15 REVIEWS