British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Once Upon a Time in America

Alternative title
C’Era una Volta in America
Synopsis
Feature film epic telling the story of a group of Jewish gangsters from their youth in New York’s Lower East side through Prohibition to their reunion in the 1960s. Antony and Cleopatra is referenced briefly at the end of the film. Max (Woods), now an old man, goes to see a performance of the play to tell Deborah (McGovern) who left him to become an actress that she made the right decision. He sees a production poster on the wall with the line ‘Age cannot wither her’. Deborah is taking off her white make-up after a Kabuki version of the death scene. The Kabuki scenes are not shown although it is believed that Leone shot them for the film.
Language
English
Country
Italy; United States
Medium
Film
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Year of release
1983
Duration
229 (director’s cut)

Credits

Director
Sergio Leone
Producer
Arnon Milchan
Cinematographer
Colli, Tonino Delli
Screenplay
Enrico Medioli; Franco Arcalli; Franco Ferrini; Leo Benvenutti; Piero De Bernardi; Sergio Leone
Music
Enrico Morricone
Art Direction
Carlo Simi
Cast
Elizabeth McGovernDeborah (Cleopatra)
James WoodsMaximilian ‘Max’ Bercovitz
Robert De NiroDavid ‘Noodles’ Aaronson

Additional Details

Production type
Fiction Films
Plays
Antony and Cleopatra
Keywords
Kabuki; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Gangster films

Notes

General
Adapted from the novel The Hoods by Harry Grey.

Production Company

Name

AP.S.O International

Distributor (Sale)

Name

Retail outlets

Record Stats

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