The conflict between legendary Italian director Sergio Leone and Warner Bros. played a significant role in the initial failure of “Once Upon a Time in America,” now regarded as one of the greatest gangster films ever made. Leone’s ambitious vision for the film, which ran for a staggering 229 minutes, clashed with the studio’s demands for a shorter, more commercially viable cut. This disagreement led to the release of drastically different versions of the film worldwide, with the U.S. version trimmed to 139 minutes and altered into a chronological format. The studio’s interference not only diluted Leone’s original masterpiece but also contributed to the movie’s poor reception in the U.S., impacting its box office performance and critical response at the time. Let’s take a closer look at how this feud between Leone and Warner Bros. shaped the film’s fate and eventual legacy.
Why Did Once Upon a Time in America Receive Mixed Reviews?
The film received a range of reviews when it was first released. This was mainly because different versions of the film were shown in different countries. While the original, longer version of the film was appreciated internationally, the shorter 139-minute cut released in the U.S. was met with disappointment. Critics at the time felt that shortening the film was akin to removing vital parts of a masterpiece. The famous critic Roger Ebert praised the full-length version but was harshly critical of the shortened U.S. version, calling it a “travesty.”
What Was the Clash Between Sergio Leone and Studio Heads About?
Sergio Leone’s original film was an epic, running 229 minutes, and told the story of Jewish gangsters in prohibition-era New York City. However, Leone had disagreements with the studio heads over the film’s length. The studios decided to cut the film down to just 139 minutes. They also changed the film’s non-linear storytelling into a chronological sequence. This alteration made the film’s plot very confusing and difficult to follow, leading to its poor box office performance.
Restoration and Critical Reassessment
It wasn’t until after Sergio Leone passed away and the original version of the film was restored that Once Upon a Time in America began to receive the recognition it deserved. Critics now consider the uncut version to be far superior to the edited U.S. release. Despite some criticism for its violent content, the film is now highly regarded as one of the greatest gangster films ever made. It has earned high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic and is frequently listed among the best gangster movies of all time.
In summary, the initial failure of Once Upon a Time in America can largely be attributed to the studio’s interference, which drastically altered Leone’s vision. Today, the film is celebrated in its original form, proving that sometimes, creative vision and artistic integrity are essential for a film’s success.
