Italian Gangster Movies

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather is a 1972 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by Albert S. Ruddy, based on Mario Puzo's best-selling novel of the same name. It stars Marlon Brando and Al Pacino as the leaders of the fictional Corleone crime family. The story, spanning 1945 to 1955, chronicles the Corleone family's rise to power and their struggle to protect their empire from rival families and criminal organizations. The Godfather is widely regarded as one of the greatest films in world cinema and one of the most influential in American film history.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather Part II is a 1974 epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, and Robert De Niro. The film chronicles two parallel storylines. The first is the early life and career of Vito Corleone (De Niro) as he ascends the ranks of organized crime in 1920s New York. The other story follows Michael Corleone (Pacino), Vito's son, as he attempts to expand the family's business into Las Vegas, Hollywood, and Cuba. The film follows both characters over a four year period, depicting their personal and professional lives, as well as the complex and often volatile relationships between the members of their family. The Godfather Part II is considered to be one of the greatest sequels ever made, and was the first film sequel to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
Rated R

Goodfellas is the story of Henry Hill, an Italian-American kid who grew up in 1950s Brooklyn and got involved with the mob. Through his eyes, viewers experience the rise and fall of a mobster life. The film follows Henry and his friends as they become involved in organized crime, eventually leading to a violent conflict between them and the law. Along the way, viewers see the highs and lows of Henry's life, as well as the consequences of a life of crime. In the end, Henry is forced to face the reality of his choices and confront the inevitable fate that awaits him.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods
Rated R

Casino is a 1995 crime-drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. The film follows the story of ace gambler Sam "Ace" Rothstein (De Niro) as he is sent to Las Vegas to oversee the operations of The Tangiers Casino. Aided by his friend and mob associate Nicky Santoro (Pesci), Rothstein quickly rises to power as he successfully manages the casino and earns millions of dollars for the mob. However, as the stakes get higher and Rothstein's gambling and lifestyle become more erratic, his relationships with his wife and best friend become strained. Meanwhile, the mob must contend with the ever-increasing presence of the FBI, who are trying to shut down the casino and put an end to the mob's illegal operations. The film culminates in a violent climax that leaves everyone involved with the casino in disarray.

From Brian De Palma, starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, Charles Martin Smith
Rated R

The Untouchables is a 1987 American crime film directed by Brian De Palma, based on the book of the same name by Eliot Ness and Oscar Fraley. The film stars Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, Sean Connery, Charles Martin Smith, Andy Garcia and Richard Bradford. Set during Prohibition in 1930s Chicago, the film tells the story of Federal Agent Eliot Ness and his squad of law enforcement agents, the Untouchables, as they work to dismantle Al Capone's criminal empire and bring the notorious gangster to justice. In the process, Ness and his team battle mob henchmen, corrupt politicians, and the police which have been bought off by Capone. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Sean Connery.

From Robert De Niro, starring Robert De Niro, Chazz Palminteri, Lillo Brancato, Francis Capra
Rated R

A Bronx Tale is a 1993 American crime drama directed by Robert De Niro and written by Chazz Palminteri. Set in the Bronx during the 1960s, the film tells the story of a young Italian-American boy (Cesare) who is torn between the temptations of organized crime, represented by local mob boss Sonny, and the values of his hard-working father Lorenzo. Cesare's father and Sonny both offer him advice on how to navigate a life growing up in the Bronx, but ultimately he must make his own decisions about what kind of man he wants to become. Throughout the film, the audience witnesses the highs and lows of his journey as he learns lessons about loyalty, love, and honor.

From Mike Newell, starring Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen, Bruno Kirby
Rated R

Donnie Brasco is a 1997 American crime drama film directed by Mike Newell, and starring Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen, and Anne Heche. The film is based on the true story of Joseph D. Pistone, an FBI undercover agent who infiltrated the mafia in the 1970s. Donnie (Depp), an FBI agent, is assigned to work undercover in an effort to infiltrate the mafia. He takes on the identity of jeweler Donnie Brasco, and gains the trust of Lefty Ruggiero (Pacino), an aging mobster. Donnie slowly gets sucked into the world of the mafia, and must learn to navigate the intricate web of loyalty, honor, and deception. As his loyalty to both the mob and the FBI is tested, Donnie finds himself in a dangerous moral dilemma.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Andy Garcia, Talia Shire
Rated R

The Godfather Part III follows the life of Michael Corleone, the head of the powerful Corleone crime family. As his past continues to haunt him and his enemies continue to circle, Michael is forced to make a decision that will shape the fate of his family, and the future of the entire Corleone enterprise. After a failed attempt to legitimize his business in the eyes of the Vatican, Michael finds himself in a precarious situation, as he faces a hostile takeover of his family's criminal empire. With the help of his trusted allies, Michael must fight to protect his family and preserve their power, while also trying to find redemption within himself. Along the way, the Corleone family must confront a number of difficult choices, as their enemies attempt to bring them down and their loyalty to one another is put to the test.