10 Movies With Different Endings In Different Countries
9. Once Upon A Time In America
Sergio Leone's last ever film was, unfortunately, subject to much interfering from the studio. So much so that the stress and depression Leone felt from Warner Bros meddling with his work was said to have contributed to his death from a heart attack, just a few years later.
The U.S release was a heavily watered-down version of Leone's full vision for the film and differed significantly to the one shown in Europe. Whilst the run-time was the most noticeable difference between the two versions, Once Upon A Time In America's ending scene was dramatically changed from Leone's original.
In the original, Noodles leaves Max/Bailey's home after confronting his former friend. As he leaves, he notices Max stood at the foot of his drive as a garbage truck approaches. Once the truck obscures Max from view, the auger can be heard beginning to grind down the rubbish but as the truck passes, Max is nowhere to be seen.
In the U.S version rather than leave Max's fate ambiguous, the scene ends with Max shooting himself, although the gunshot is heard off-screen. The ambiguity of the original ending was far more impactful, and befitting of the melancholic and subversive storytelling of Leone's original vision.