Once Upon a Time in America Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Once Upon a Time in America" offers a notable video presentation, particularly for the restored scenes. The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode maintains the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, marking it as the only Leone film not shot in a wide ratio. The majority of the footage, drawn from well-preserved negatives, has been pristinely remastered, free from aging flaws like scratches or specs. Even though DNR is lightly applied, the film retains a natural look without edge enhancement.

However, around 10% of the film consists of newly integrated scenes sourced from discarded working positives. These additional scenes, although painstakingly restored, display noticeable degradation. Colors can appear washed out, contrast is often blown out, and fine detail is lacking. Darker scenes are particularly affected, with poor black levels limiting visibility to main actions only. Despite these flaws, one appreciates that the footage is viewable, effectively enriching Leone’s original vision.

The restoration addresses compression artifacts, maintaining an average bitrate comparable to the previous edition (14.98 Mbps vs. 14.96 Mbps). Though some large fibers are visible during De Niro and Woods' final scene together, these do not detract significantly from the visual experience. The effort to seamlessly re-integrate lost footage is commendable, but viewers should temper expectations regarding the quality consistency of these restored portions.

The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix of "Once Upon a Time in America" on Blu-ray provides a compelling yet selective auditory experience. While the score composed by Ennio Morricone is impeccably rendered and utilizes all channels to achieve a dynamic, immersive effect, other audio elements such as dialogue and effects are predominantly anchored to the front channels. Although this front-heavy focus ensures clarity in dialogue, it also makes certain sequences feel less rich and enveloping than they could have been. The limited use of rear channels and LFE can result in a somewhat restrained sonic landscape, revealing the film’s original mono origins.

The remix, originating from Warner's 2003 two-disc DVD, carefully integrates additional sequences while maintaining the original sound flow, thanks to collaboration with Morricone. This meticulous work is apparent, though newly added scenes occasionally feature a hollow sound quality that slightly impedes audibility. Despite this minor inconsistency, the transitions are generally smooth, ensuring that Morricone’s emotive score effectively ties together the film's disparate timelines. It's notable that while the mix offers excellent music distribution, there’s an absence of an option to experience the original mono track in lossless quality, a feature that some aficionados might find desirable.

Though the audio quality ranges due to multiple film sources utilized in this Extended Director’s Cut, the remastered sections generally maintain high fidelity. The sound is clear and devoid of pops, clicks, or hissing in the older segments, whereas added scenes might necessitate more focused listening. Overall, the Blu-ray’s audio presentation is a testament to both the film’s enduring legacy and the technical prowess involved in bringing it to a contemporary audience, albeit with room for improvement in spatial audio deployment.

The Blu-ray extras for "Once Upon a Time in America" offer a compelling suite of additional content, providing deeper insight into Sergio Leone's cinematic masterpiece. The highlight is the excerpt from the documentary "Once Upon a Time: Sergio Leone," which runs for 19:36 and includes interviews with greats including Quentin Tarantino alongside producers, kin, and scholars of Leone. This segment effectively contextualizes the film within Leone’s oeuvre and film history. Also included are both the Teaser Trailer and Theatrical Trailer presented in HD, ensuring a retro yet crisp viewing experience. Collectors will appreciate the 32-page collectible book and the inclusion of both Theatrical and Extended Director’s Cut versions of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Excerpt from Once Upon a Time: Sergio Leone documentary: Detailed insights and behind-the-scenes content from key industry figures.
• Teaser Trailer: An engaging preview in high definition.
• Theatrical Trailer: Full-length trailer also in high definition.
• 32-page collectible book: A comprehensive guide for collectors.
• Theatrical and Extended Director's Cut: Both versions of the film included.

In its extended release, "Once Upon a Time in America" emerges as a more complete and immersive masterpiece from Sergio Leone, clocking in at 251 minutes with 22 minutes of newly restored footage. This additional material, though sourced from less-than-ideal prints, is crucial for filling narrative gaps and deepening character arcs. Notably, scenes featuring Darlanne Fluegel's Eve and the enigmatic Secretary Bailey offer richer contextual layers. For instance, the introduction of Eve before Noodles meets Deborah provides poignant backstory, heightening the subsequent emotional turmoil. Similarly, the added dialogues involving the 1968 subplot elucidate the mysterious scenarios that Noodles faces upon returning to New York. This subtle augmentation may not be essential to the film's core, but it undeniably enriches the storytelling tapestry.

The film's non-linear narrative continues to captivate, oscillating deftly between Noodles' formative years in early 20th-century New York and his later life. Robert De Niro's portrayal of Noodles is nothing short of mesmerizing, capturing both youthful recklessness and aged remorse. The narrative structure, clunky in its heavily edited theatrical release, returns to its intended fluidity in this cut, making the story's intricate weaving appear effortless. The restored scenes add texture without compromising the overall experience, though some viewers might notice the quality disparity.

Overall, this extended director's cut of "Once Upon a Time in America" presents a grander vision that accentuates Leone's genius. While some may lament the mediocre quality of the additional footage, its inclusion transforms a storied classic into a fuller and more nuanced epic, further warranting its place as an all-time cinematic achievement.

The Blu-ray release of "Once Upon a Time in America" provides a compelling opportunity for both new viewers and long-time fans to revisit this cinematic gem. The extended director’s cut, spread over 251 minutes, includes previously unreleased scenes that closely align with Sergio Leone's original vision, offering an enriched narrative experience. The inclusion of the theatrical cut and a 32-page booklet in the two-disc set adds significant value, making it a desirable collector's item. While technical aspects such as video and audio quality of the newly added footage vary—ranging from good to quite poor due to the source materials—the primary content maintains a high standard, ensuring an overall remarkable viewing experience.

While the Blu-ray’s special features are sparse, with only a brief 20-minute additional feature on the single-disc version, the collector’s edition compensates with additional memorabilia and a more comprehensive presentation of Leone’s masterpiece. The lack of commentary on changes in scenes from the prior 229-minute release is a missed opportunity, but doesn’t undermine the significance of the extended cut itself. The remastered segments occasionally falter, yet the film's iconic status and storytelling prowess shine through, reiterating its place alongside classics like "The Godfather."

In conclusion, "Once Upon A Time In America" on Blu-ray is highly recommended for its enhanced narrative depth and historical value. Despite technical inconsistencies in the newly included footage, the film’s profound impact and Sergio Leone’s meticulous craftsmanship are brilliantly showcased. Whether opting for the single-disc or the more comprehensive collector's edition, this release is a must-have for anyone who appreciates cinematic excellence. Highly recommended.