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Celluloid
DramaCrime Editor's Pick

Once Upon a Time in Anatolia Review (2011) — 84% Celluloid Score

Directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan · 2011 ·

Short answer

Is Once Upon a Time in Anatolia worth watching?

Yes. Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (2011) earns an 84% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (95%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (82%). See the 4 inputs.

84%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

95% Editorial Rating
82% Audience snapshot · excluded
82 Metascore
★★★★☆ Letterboxd 4.1
7.8 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 43m
Age rating
M (Australia)
Cast
Muhammet Uzuner , Yılmaz Erdoğan , Taner Birsel , Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan , Fırat Tanış , Ercan Kesal , Erol Eraslan , Burhan Yıldız , Murat Kılıç , Şafak Karali
Country
Turkey
Language
Turkish

Also known as Bir Zamanlar Anadolu'da Érase una vez en Anatolia Il était une fois en Anatolie Era uma vez na Anatólia 昔々、アナトリアで 원스 어폰 어 타임 인 아나톨리아 小亚细亚往事 安納托利亞故事

Where to watch

Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists TV+, HBO Max in Turkey. Check local listings for your region.

Rent: Apple TV

Buy: Apple TV

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (95/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (82%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (82/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.1/5).
  • Celluloid Score 84% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded drama, crime pick
  • Epic-length viewers who want a big-screen experience
  • Critics' darlings — stronger with reviewers than general viewers

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is Once Upon a Time in Anatolia worth watching?

    Yes — Once Upon a Time in Anatolia earns an 84% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama, crime pick. Read our full review (4/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    Ceylan’s nocturnal procedural — Grand Prix at Cannes — remains the international face of the Turkish new wave nurtured alongside Antalya’s national competition.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics (95%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (82%).

    What is Once Upon a Time in Anatolia about?

    A group of men lead a search for a victim of a murder to whom a suspect named Kenan and his mentally challenged brother confessed. However, the search is proving more difficult than expected as Kenan is fuzzy as to the body's location. As the group continues looking and the night begins dragging on, its members can't help but chat with each other about everyday life, as the conversations turn more and more serious, revealing their deeper secrets and profound stories.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English Once Upon a Time in Anatolia

    Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (2011) Review: Night Search

    Once Upon a Time in Anatolia is Nuri Bilge Ceylan's hypnotic crime drama about a night-long search for a body, where small talk slowly exposes deeper truths.

    Yes, with reservations. It is a mesmerising, beautifully shot slow-burn for patient viewers of art cinema, but its length and pace make it a real commitment.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    Once Upon a Time in Anatolia stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    Once Upon a Time in Anatolia production still 1
    Once Upon a Time in Anatolia production still 2
    Once Upon a Time in Anatolia production still 3
    Once Upon a Time in Anatolia production still 4
    Once Upon a Time in Anatolia production still 5
    Once Upon a Time in Anatolia production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    Once Upon a Time in Anatolia: frequently asked questions

    Is Once Upon a Time in Anatolia worth watching?

    Yes. Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (2011) has a Celluloid Score of 84%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch Once Upon a Time in Anatolia?

    In the United States you can rent it from Apple TV or buy it from Apple TV. Elsewhere: TV+, HBO Max in Turkey. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is Once Upon a Time in Anatolia?

    Once Upon a Time in Anatolia runs 2 hours 43 minutes (163 minutes).

    What is Once Upon a Time in Anatolia rated?

    Once Upon a Time in Anatolia is rated M in Australia. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in Once Upon a Time in Anatolia?

    Once Upon a Time in Anatolia is directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan and stars Muhammet Uzuner, Yılmaz Erdoğan, Taner Birsel, Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan, Fırat Tanış.

    What is the Metascore for Once Upon a Time in Anatolia?

    Metacritic's Metascore for Once Upon a Time in Anatolia is 82 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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