Original sentence: However, the original 229-minute cut has been restored and the shortened version, while briefly on VHS in the 1980's, is in little demand and almost impossible to find.It is renowned for its cinematography, expansive long shots and the detail of three historical settings and its intricate, open-ended narration.It was released in the United States in a heavily edited and truncated version, against Leone's wishes, almost ninety minutes shorter than the original version released in Europe.Once Upon a Time in America explores the ideas of memory, violence and betrayal in the eyes of one person, Noodles,.The short version eliminates the flashback structure of the film, instead placing the scenes in chronological order.This version flopped in the US and many American critics, who knew about Leone's original cut, attacked the short version viciously
Edited sentence: However, today the original 229-minute cut is the one in circulation and this shortened version, while briefly on VHS in the 1980's, is in little demand and almost impossible to find.It is renowned for its beautiful cinematography, the detail of its three historical settings and its intricate, open-ended narration.Like most of Leone's films, it was first released in the United States in a heavily edited version almost ninety minutes shorter than the version released in Europe.Set as an expansive and hypnotic film experience, the story explores the ideas of time, memory, love, violence and betrayal.The short version also eliminates the flashback structure of the film, instead placing the scenes in chronological order.This version flopped in the US and many critics, who knew about Leone's original cut and what the Ladd Company had done to his film, attacked the short version viciously