Cinema, over the decades, has accustomed us to good films, some noteworthy, but few can truly be considered masterpieces. One of them is Once upon a time in America di Sergio Leone, released in theaters on 1 June 1984, or 37 years ago. It is a fascinating film, full of emotions, which traces the story of a group of gangsters in the New York of the prohibition, until the 60s. The film is well studied in the smallest details, from the settings to the choice of the cast, between already established and less known faces. We pass from the protagonist Robert De Niro (David "Noodles" Aaronson), already winner of 2 Academy Awards until very young Jennifer Connelly in the role of Deborah. Moreover, to make Once upon a time in America a masterpiece is the soundtrack signed by the master Ennio Morricone, who had already collaborated several times with Sergio Leone.
The genesis of Once Upon a Time in America
Once Upon a Time in America is the final chapter of the "Time trilogy”Started with Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) and down the head (1971). The film is inspired by the novel "Armed hand"(The Hoods), autobiography of the gangster Harry Gray. Leone already had in mind to make a film of this kind, already from the beginning of the 70s, but he found the right inspiration only with Gray's book. The shooting was less troubled than the script writing (quite troubled). These lasted about 10 months, from June 1982 ad April 1983, and the scenes were shot between United States, Canada, France e Italy (Rome and Venezia). Exist three versions of Once Upon a Time in America: The Original by 218 minutes, the reduced of 139 minutes and the extended of 246 minutes. The latter, taken up by the heirs of Sergio Leone in 2012, Presents 26 additional minutes (unreleased) compared to the version edited by the director himself.
The film at the beginning it was not very successful at the US box office (mainly because it arrived in theaters in an abridged version), but was later re-evaluated. Today it is in fact considered a real one cult, both in Italy and overseas. Sergio Leone was able to tell an unforgettable story, which shuffles violence, friendship, love e death. Despite 37 years have passed, the film is still very popular and is considered unanimously a timeless work of art. Sergio Leone's film is a masterpiece to watch and relate to, capable of offering new food for thought, mostly thanks to his open ending. Once upon a time in America is not only the story of an America that has now disappeared, but also the symbol of a authentic cinema always highly sought after, but now difficult to recreate. Happy birthday to the film of the master Sergio Leone.
