Italian Mob Movies

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

The Godfather is a classic crime drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the novel of the same name by Mario Puzo. Set in New York City in the 1940s and 1950s, the story follows the Corleone family, a powerful and influential Italian-American crime family. The patriarch of the family is Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), known as the Godfather, a powerful yet benevolent leader who is respected and feared by many. His son Michael (Al Pacino) reluctantly follows in his father’s footsteps as he is thrust into a world of crime and violence. With the help of his trusted associates, they face off against rival families and their allies, determined to maintain their position as one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the city. The Godfather features a stellar cast, spectacular direction, and a timeless story of loyalty, betrayal, and family.

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

The Godfather Part II is the sequel to the 1972 hit The Godfather. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, this crime drama film follows the journey of Michael Corleone, the head of the Corleone crime family. The story spans two timelines, with one part following Michael as he attempts to expand and legitimize his family's criminal enterprise in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and the other part showing his father, Vito Corleone's rise to power in the early 1900s. Tensions rise as Michael battles the other crime families, the treacherous Hyman Roth, and his own conscience. In the end, Michael must choose between his family and his own moral code, leading to a shocking conclusion.

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

Goodfellas is a classic organized crime drama from director Martin Scorsese. The film follows the life of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), a young Italian-American man who joins a local mob family in the 1950s and rises in the ranks, enjoying a life of wealth and power. As the years go by, Henry's life starts to take a dark turn. He is faced with violence and betrayal, the consequences of living outside the law, and paranoia and fear as the mob's grip on him tightens. Ultimately, Henry must confront the consequences of his life of crime and the toll it has taken on him and those around him.

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

Casino is a 1995 American epic crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone. The film is based on the nonfiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi. It tells the story of Sam "Ace" Rothstein (De Niro), a Jewish American top gambling handicapper who is called by the Chicago Outfit to oversee the day-to-day operations at the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas. His character is based on Frank Rosenthal, who ran the Stardust, Fremont and Hacienda casinos in Las Vegas for the Chicago Outfit from the 1970s until the early 1980s. Ace's best friend, Nicky Santoro (Pesci), a made man, is sent to Vegas to protect Ace and make sure that the money from the Tangiers is skimmed off the top. The film follows their careers and personal lives as they are forced to juggle their relationships with each other, the mob, and the Las Vegas casino industry. Through it all, Ace comes to understand that the only way to survive in the business is to be ruthless and cutthroat, and he begins to lose his own moral code in

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 and produced by Art Linson. The movie stars Kevin Costner as federal agent Eliot Ness, along with Robert De Niro, Sean Connery, Charles Martin Smith, and Andy Garcia. The movie is based on the true story of Ness and his team of law enforcement agents as they attempt to take down the notorious crime boss Al Capone (De Niro). Ness and his team of "Untouchables" – agents immune to bribery – use ingenious tactics in their fight against Capone's illegal activities, including bootlegging, gambling, and murder. With the help of an old Irish beat cop, Jimmy Malone (Connery), Ness and his team attempt to bring Capone to justice. The battle is long and hard, but eventually the gang is able to put an end to Capone's reign and bring justice to the streets.

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

A Bronx Tale is a 1993 American coming-of-age drama film directed by Robert De Niro and written by Chazz Palminteri. The film stars Palminteri, De Niro, Lillo Brancato, Francis Capra and Taral Hicks. The film follows the story of Calogero Anello, a young Italian-American boy growing up in the Bronx during the 1960s. He is influenced by two father figures: his father, Lorenzo, a bus driver who is strict but kind, and a local Italian-American gangster, Sonny. After a dispute between the two men, Calogero is forced to choose between the straight and narrow path of his father and the dangerous criminal world of Sonny. The film follows Calogero as he navigates the often difficult world of adolescence, and eventually comes to understand the complexity of moral choices. Through his experiences, Calogero learns lessons about loyalty, morality, and love.

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, starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp. The film is based on the true story of an FBI undercover agent, Joseph D. Pistone (Depp), who infiltrated the Mafia in the 1970s. Pistone, an FBI agent assigned to an undercover mission to infiltrate the mafia, assumes the identity of Donnie Brasco, a jewel thief. He establishes a relationship with the mob boss, Lefty Ruggiero (Pacino), who gives him the name Donnie Brasco. Pistone befriends Lefty and rises through the ranks of the crime family. In the process, his personal life begins to suffer and his loyalty to the mob is tested. Eventually, Pistone is forced to choose between his undercover life and his real life, and his decision affects both.

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

The Godfather Part III (1990) is the third and final installment of the Godfather trilogy, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The film follows Michael Corleone, the aging patriarch of the Corleone crime family, as he attempts to legitimize the family’s business while also trying to protect his family. Michael is drawn into the world of international finance and finds himself pulled between his desire to lead a respectable life and his loyalty to his family’s criminal enterprise. Tensions within the family reach a boiling point when Michael's beloved daughter, Mary, is kidnapped by the new head of the family’s rival, the Tavaras. As Michael and his allies battle to save Mary, they must also face the consequences of their past sins and the choices they have made. The Godfather Part III is a powerful, heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring story of loyalty, love, and redemption.