Films about the American Mafia delve into the shadowy and oftentimes brutal world of organized crime in the United States. This genre explores themes of power, loyalty, family, and betrayal, set against the backdrop of criminal enterprises. The stories often follow the lives of mobsters, their families, and their interactions with law enforcement and rival gangs, providing a gritty portrayal of the American underworld. These films have become a staple of American cinema, offering viewers a blend of suspense, drama, and action.
“The Godfather”, 1972
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, this iconic film is a portrayal of the powerful Corleone mafia family, focusing on the transformation of Michael Corleone from a reluctant outsider to ruthless mafia boss. It is a quintessential depiction of the complexities and morals within a mafia family.
Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Richard S. Castellano, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, John Cazale, Al Lettieri, Sterling Hayden;
Production year: 1972;
Genre: drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 175 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 9,2;
More information about the film “The Godfather” on the website imdb.com
“Goodfellas”, 1990
Director: Martin Scorsese
Directed by Martin Scorsese, based on the true story of mob associate Henry Hill, this film chronicles his life in the mob, covering his relationship with his wife Karen Hill and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito in the Italian-American crime syndicate.
Starring: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, Frank Sivero, Tony Darrow, Mike Starr, Frank Vincent, Chuck Low;
Production year: 1990;
Genre: drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 140 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,7;
More information about the film “Goodfellas” on the website imdb.com
“Casino”, 1995
Director: Martin Scorsese
Another masterpiece by Martin Scorsese, “Casino” is based on the true story of two mobsters, expert handicapper Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal and enforcer Anthony Spilotro, and their efforts to establish a mafia empire in the Las Vegas gambling industry.
Starring: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods, Don Rickles, Alan King, Kevin Pollak, L.Q. Jones, Dick Smothers, Frank Vincent;
Production year: 1995;
Genre: drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 171 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “Casino” on the website imdb.com
“The Departed”, 2006
Director: Martin Scorsese
Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film is set in Boston, where the state police force is waging war on Irish-American organized crime. It tells the story of two moles: one a mob mole infiltrating the police department, and the other a police officer infiltrating the mob, with both trying to identify each other before their cover is blown.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga, Anthony Anderson, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Corrigan;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 151 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,5;
More information about the film “The Departed” on the website imdb.com
“Donnie Brasco”, 1997
Director: Mike Newell
This film is based on the true story of Joseph D. Pistone, an undercover FBI agent who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family in New York City during the 1970s. Starring Johnny Depp as the titular character, it explores the difficulties of balancing his family life and his professional obligation to bring down the mafia.
Starring: Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen, Bruno Kirby, James Russo, Anne Heche, Zeljko Ivanek, Gerry Becker, Robert Miano, Brian Tarantina;
Production year: 1997;
Genre: drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Donnie Brasco” on the website imdb.com
“American Gangster”, 2007
Director: Ridley Scott
Directed by Ridley Scott, this film is a fictionalized account of the criminal career of Frank Lucas, a gangster from Harlem who was smuggling heroin into the United States on American service planes returning from the Vietnam War. It provides a detailed look at the drug trafficking and corruption in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Starring: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lymari Nadal, Josh Brolin, Armand Assante, Roger Guenveur Smith, Ruby Dee, John Ortiz, Ted Levine;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 157 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “American Gangster” on the website imdb.com
“The Untouchables”, 1987
Director: Brian De Palma
Directed by Brian De Palma, this film is about the battle between gangster Al Capone and lawman Eliot Ness in Chicago during the Prohibition Era. It highlights the efforts of Ness and his handpicked team to bring down Capone’s illegal empire.
Starring: Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Charles Martin Smith, Andy Garcia, Robert De Niro, Richard Bradford, Jack Kehoe, Brad Sullivan, Billy Drago, Patricia Clarkson;
Production year: 1987;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime, action;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “The Untouchables” on the website imdb.com
“A Bronx Tale”, 1993
Director: Robert De Niro
Directed by and starring Robert De Niro, this film is a coming-of-age story about a young boy, Calogero Anello, who is torn between his father's values and those of a local mob boss who takes him under his wing in the Bronx of the 1960s.
Starring: Robert De Niro, Chazz Palminteri, Lillo Brancato, Francis Capra, Taral Hicks, Kathrine Narducci, Clem Caserta, Alfred Sauchelli Jr., Frank Pietrangolare, Joe Pesci;
Production year: 1993;
Genre: drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 121 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
These films not only showcase brilliant performances and storytelling but also serve as a window into the complex world of the American mafia, reflecting on the American Dream and the moral ambiguities within the pursuit of power and success.
In conclusion, films about the American mafia have consistently captivated audiences worldwide, weaving intricate tales of power, loyalty, betrayal, and redemption within the murky underworld of organized crime. These cinematic creations, ranging from the hauntingly epic storytelling in “The Godfather” series to the gritty, fast-paced narratives in “Goodfellas” and the complex, character-driven drama in “The Sopranos,” offer more than mere entertainment. They serve as a mirror reflecting the darker facets of the American Dream, exploring themes of ambition, moral decay, and the quest for identity against a backdrop of criminal enterprises. Through masterful direction, compelling performances, and nuanced storytelling, mafia films have not only defined a genre but have also significantly influenced our perception of American culture and history. They underscore the endless fascination with the allure and danger of the mafia world while prompting audiences to reflect on the values and choices that shape our society.
