http://trovacinema.repubblica.it/multimedia/copertina/cannes-cera-una-volta-con-26-minuti-in-piu-scena-tagliata/31846181
And it puts the whole Secretary Bailey connection into focus a bit earlier and more clearly. Some may say it is too blatant, but IMO there is a lot that is unexplained in the 229MV, and I am happy for anything that the RV explains better.
Films don't need too many explanations. If everything is explained into the detail films lose their secret. And often begin to drag. I admire directors which can tell in a short time span a complex story.
t in analyzing whether a scene fits, IMO it should be taken on a case-by-case basis, and not with general rules about telling complex stories in short time spans.
And I think that in the case of the Cemetery scene, it does help to explain certain parts of the story that are not explained as well as they should be. OUATIA is my all-time favorite movie, but it always bothered me how many plot points aren't explained better. (Of course, the mystery is part of it, and I don't want all the mysteries to be revealed right away!) But there are certain things that should have been fleshed out just a little better. How the mausoleum was erected and how the recording of Cockeye's Tune and the inscription got there, is something that always bothered me.... And the part with the limo explains Noodles's intense interest in the story of the Bailey scandal. In the 229MV, Noodles suddenly shows an intense interest in some political scandal unfolding, and there really isn't yet much justification as to why he should be so interested in that story. (Unless he had already received Bailey's invitation; but we don't know anything about the invitation yet, and really never find out when/how he receives it, and that is another point that IMO definitely should have been explained).
Maybe you can argue that the limo scene is a bit too direct and could have been done in a little more subtly, but I still prefer it as it is more than what we have in the 229MV, in which there is really no justification for why Noodles should care about the unfolding Bailey scandal. Not everything should be told to Noodles right away, but as an audience member, I would like to know what Noodles knows. Knowing that some guy claiming to be Aaronson is responsible for this mausoleum helps explain a little slesh out
One thing which always irritated me was the short moment when we see Joe Pesci leaving the hospital. The directing seems to indicate that this has some importance for later, but the film comes never back to him. But this isn't explained in the new scenes nor have I ever read anything about it. I still don't understand it.
I never thought there was any great mystery or significance to that scene. It's just a quick symbol of the Mob's continued hold on Max despite Noodles' attempt to maintain their friendship. Frayling's outline in STDWD doesn't indicate any extra scenes with Pesci's character.
I find it amazing: A year ago, we were all excited beyond belief at hearing that we would be getting new Leone material.
And now, when that long-awaited day has finally arrived (actually, it will only arrive when it is actually widely released, but still, it has arrived somewhat...) there is all this complaining about whether this stuff is truly necessary.
while there is no way to ever know the precise version he would have released if he would have been given the opportunity to do so,