Sergio Leone was one of the most influential and acclaimed film directors of all time, known for his groundbreaking work in the Spaghetti Western genre. His films, such as The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Once Upon a Time in the West, and Once Upon a Time in America, are considered classics of cinema history. However, his passion for filmmaking also took a toll on his health and ultimately led to his death at the age of 60. In this article, we will explore how Sergio Leone’s final film, Once Upon a Time in America, ruined his health and was the last film he directed.
The Long Road to America
Sergio Leone had been interested in making Once Upon a Time in America ever since he finished filming Once Upon a Time in the West, back in 1968. He was fascinated by the story of Jewish gangsters in New York, based on the novel The Hoods by Harry Grey. He even refused an offer to direct The Godfather, as he wanted to focus on his own project. However, it took him over 13 years before he finally started his dream project. According to Wikipedia, he faced many challenges and obstacles along the way, such as finding financing, securing rights, casting actors, writing scripts, scouting locations, and dealing with studio interference.
The Epic Masterpiece
Once Upon a Time in America was Leone’s most ambitious and complex film, spanning four decades of American history and featuring a nonlinear narrative structure. The film starred Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Joe Pesci, and many other talented actors. The film also featured a haunting and memorable score by Ennio Morricone, Leone’s longtime musical collaborator. The film was a labor of love for Leone, who spent years researching, writing, filming, and editing it. He wanted to create a masterpiece that would be his legacy and his tribute to America.
The Tragic Outcome
However, Leone’s vision was not appreciated by everyone. When the film was released in 1984, it was severely cut by the American distributors, who reduced its original running time of 229 minutes to 139 minutes. They also rearranged the scenes into a chronological order, destroying Leone’s artistic intention. The film was a critical and commercial failure in the US, and Leone was devastated by the betrayal and the reception. According to The Vintage News, the film ruined Leone’s health and perhaps even contributed to his death. He suffered from depression, anxiety, insomnia, and heart problems. He died of a heart attack on April 30, 1989, in Rome.
The Legacy of Leone
Despite the initial disappointment, Once Upon a Time in America was later restored to its original version and re-released in various formats. The film gained recognition and appreciation from critics and audiences alike, who praised its epic scope, artistic style, emotional depth, and powerful performances. The film is now widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, and one of Leone’s masterpieces. Leone’s influence can be seen in many filmmakers who admire his work, such as Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and many others. Sergio Leone may be gone, but his films live on as timeless classics that inspire generations of cinephiles.
