Appearance
Once Upon a Time in America
Directed by Sergio Leone, Once Upon a Time in America (1984) is a monumental crime epic and the final film of Leone's "Once Upon a Time" trilogy. Spanning several decades, the story follows David "Noodles" Aaronson (Robert De Niro) and his Jewish friends as they rise from street urchins in the Lower East Side to powerful gangsters during the Prohibition era. The film is a non-linear exploration of themes like memory, betrayal, regret, and the changing face of the American Dream.
The film is renowned for its haunting score by Ennio Morricone, its meticulous period detail, and its sweeping cinematography. Despite being heavily edited for its initial American release, the restored director's cut is now widely regarded as one of the greatest gangster films ever made.
Locations
To recreate the New York of the early-to-mid 20th century, the production utilized locations in New York City, Montreal, Paris, and Rome, blending real cityscapes with massive studio sets.
Washington Street (The Manhattan Bridge View), Brooklyn
The most famous shot from the film—and one of the most iconic in cinema history—features the young gang walking down a street with the Manhattan Bridge looming in the background. This was filmed on Washington Street in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn. The view looks south from between Front and Water Streets. Map Location
The Lower East Side, Manhattan
While much of the neighborhood has changed, Leone filmed several exterior sequences in the real Lower East Side. Locations around Bedford Street and Broome Street were dressed to look like the 1920s. However, because the actual neighborhood was too modernized, many of the street scenes were supplemented by filming in Montreal, which had better-preserved period architecture. Map Location
Hotel Excelsior, Venice, Italy
The luxurious, beachfront restaurant where Noodles takes Deborah (Elizabeth McGovern) on their extravagant date was filmed at the Hotel Excelsior on the Venice Lido. The opulent Moorish-style dining room provided a dreamlike, romantic contrast to the gritty streets of New York. Map Location
Gare du Nord, Paris, France
The scene where a middle-aged Noodles returns to New York after years in hiding, arriving at a bustling train station, was filmed inside the Gare du Nord in Paris. The station's grand 19th-century iron-and-glass structure effectively doubled for a major New York terminal of the mid-20th century. Map Location
Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida
The sequence where the gang relaxes on the beach after a successful job was filmed at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel (formerly the St. Moritz) and along Ocean Drive. The Art Deco backdrop represented the newfound wealth and temporary escape of the characters during their peak years. Map Location
Cinecittà Studios, Rome, Italy
Leone’s base of operations was the legendary Cinecittà Studios. Huge portions of the Lower East Side—including the exterior of Fat Moe's bar and the interior of the opium den—were constructed on the studio's massive backlots. These sets allowed for the extreme level of detail and control that Leone’s visual style demanded. Map Location
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Director
Sergio Leone
Cast
Robert De Niro
James Woods
Elizabeth McGovern
Joe Pesci
Burt Young
Tuesday Weld
Jennifer Connelly
IMDB
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