Once Upon a Time in America ending explained (spoilers)

[Eugenesnumn]

POOPER:
Max (James Woods) wasn't really dead, but had taken on a new identity.Noodles (Robert De Niro) learns that he has nothing to feel guilty about. Hedidn'tcause Max's death (as hehad feared) and it was Max, not Noodles, who had betrayed and was responsible for the deaths of their friends.

LONGER VERSION:
Since faking his death in 1934, Max has adopted the name Bailey. He has become rich and successful, and has risen to the Cabinet post of Secretary of Commerce. During this time, Max/Bailey has carried on a lengthy affair with Deborah (Elizabeth McGovern), the love of Noodles' life.

In the meantime, Noodles has lived quietly in Buffalo, New York, grieving for Max, and feeling needlessly guilty about causing Max's death.

By 1968, Max/Bailey has gotten into huge trouble due to corruption. He faces indictment, and knows the Mob will soon have him executed to prevent him from testifying against them. Max/Bailey is tired of waiting to be murdered, so he summons Noodles to his home. He explains how he tricked and betrayed Noodles all those years ago, and hopes that, as his friend,Noodles will take this opportunity for revenge. He knows he must die soon, and wants Noodles to be the one to kill him.

But by now, Noodles is a tired old man who hasn't used a gun or committed a crime in many years. He has no desire for revenge, and turns down the chance to kill Max. Indeed, Noodles never fully acknowledges that the man before him IS his old friend Max- he addresses the man only as Mr. Bailey.

Noodles leaves Bailey's mansion through a hidden panel, and begins to walk away from the estate. A garbage truck is passing by Max/Bailey's estate, and we briefly see Max's figure pass behind it.The garbage truck drives past Noodles, and we see thetruck grinding up its contents. We are led to believe that Max/Bailey has commiited suicide by throwing himself into the back of the garbage truck.

Thanks, Michael N. and John L.!

[richard]

Noodles is invited to a party, where he reunites with Max, who didnt die and is under a different identity. Max wants Noodles to shoot him - to repay a favour - but Noodles refuses and walks away. We later see a dark figure coming from the house and disappears when a garbage truck drives past - we dont know if Max jumped in or not.A flashback follows this of Noodles second entry to the Chinese hideout where we first saw him. He smokes some opium and grins - suggesting the entire film was an opium dream but we are left in mystery.

[janice]

Will and Silvia break into Phillipes personal high security vault and steal his first million years from him. They then release all of these years into the system at the rescue mission. Even though theres nothing the Timekeepers can do about the release, Ray continues to chase the outlaws, but Timekeepers only keep a small amount of time on their person and Raymond didnt receive his allowance during the final chase, Raymond times out and he dies. Will races to use Raymonds allowance to save his life and also save Sylvias life. We then see Will and Sylvia pull up outside another bank some time later and prepare to rob the bank with guns. As they start climbing the steps it cuts to credits implying that Will and Sylvia have become the Robin Hoods of the new era, robbing banks to give time to the poor.