The one magic ingredient that makes those films timeless...Ennio Morricone and his haunting music.
The music from 'Once Upon a Time in America' has been called the best film score ever composed. If anyone hasn't seen it they are missing out on a true original. A Proustian gangster film.
Right on. Without his music, I dont' think the films would have the same impact.
I'm sure you all recognize those sounds from the song, 'The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly' (Everybody sing along :-D)