Preface: Being European and all the only version of the film I'm familiar with is the 229 minute version. I know that a version of the film missing almost an hour of its runtime and rearranged into chronological order was given an official release in the US, but I'm assuming anyone who's interested in the film has seen the longer cut.
This is probably ties with Once Upon A Time In The West as my favourite of Leone's work. It's a stunningly beautiful film to watch, the cinematography and production design are just incredible and it really gives a vivid feel of time and place.
More than anything else I just love how personal and character based the film is, Leone seemingly more interested in the way his characters interacted with each other than their actions. Certainly spending so much time with the characters as children and seeing the choices they made which lead them to getting into organised creates a fairly unique understanding of their mindset.
The acting is incredible too, DeNiro and James Woods are on top of their game here but I think they're really well matched by their young counterparts.
Nearly forgot to mention Morricone's absolutely amazing score as well.
The thing is that Once Upon A Time In America despite its length is a film that just kind of enraptured me when I saw it. So much so that about a week after my first viewing I dragged a few people around to watch it with me, hoping it would somehow strike a chord with them.
It seems like the kind of film people are a little turned off by, for whatever reason. I think the length and sheer scale of the film can be somewhat overbearing despite its focus on its handful primary characters.
Fanny and Alexander seems to have the same effect on people.
This is probably ties with Once Upon A Time In The West as my favourite of Leone's work. It's a stunningly beautiful film to watch, the cinematography and production design are just incredible and it really gives a vivid feel of time and place.
More than anything else I just love how personal and character based the film is, Leone seemingly more interested in the way his characters interacted with each other than their actions. Certainly spending so much time with the characters as children and seeing the choices they made which lead them to getting into organised creates a fairly unique understanding of their mindset.
The acting is incredible too, DeNiro and James Woods are on top of their game here but I think they're really well matched by their young counterparts.
Nearly forgot to mention Morricone's absolutely amazing score as well.
The thing is that Once Upon A Time In America despite its length is a film that just kind of enraptured me when I saw it. So much so that about a week after my first viewing I dragged a few people around to watch it with me, hoping it would somehow strike a chord with them.
It seems like the kind of film people are a little turned off by, for whatever reason. I think the length and sheer scale of the film can be somewhat overbearing despite its focus on its handful primary characters.
Fanny and Alexander seems to have the same effect on people.
