Today in 1919, the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified by the 36th state, establishing the nationwide Prohibition of alcohol. Once Upon a Time in America deals directly with Prohibition, exploring the impact on the criminal underworld.
Synopsis
Once Upon a Time in America is an epic crime film directed by Sergio Leone. Spanning several decades, it follows the lives of childhood friends David "Noodles" Aaronson and Max, portrayed by Robert De Niro and James Woods, respectively. The film unfolds in a nonlinear narrative, shifting between their early days in New York's Lower East Side during Prohibition to their later lives as successful gangsters. As the story weaves through themes of friendship, love, betrayal, and the consequences of a life of crime, it explores the complex relationships among the characters. With a sprawling and richly detailed narrative, the film is both a tribute to and a deconstruction of the gangster genre, offering a visually stunning and emotionally resonant journey through the tumultuous history of organized crime in America.
Why Today?
On January 16, 1919, Nebraska became the 36th state to ratify the 18th Amendment, clearing the way for the National Prohibition Act to become law. Once Upon a Time in America directly explores Prohibition and its effects, and Roger Ebert hailed the original uncut version as the best film about the era.