Mafia Movies Based On True Stories

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

The Godfather is the iconic 1972 crime drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The film tells the story of the Corleone crime family, led by the aging Don Vito Corleone, played by Marlon Brando. Don Vito is in the process of transitioning control of the family to his son Michael, played by Al Pacino. Michael initially wants nothing to do with the family business, but after his father is nearly assassinated and his brother Sonny is killed, he is reluctantly forced to take over as the head of the family. The film follows Michael as he navigates the treacherous waters of the mob world, struggling to protect both his family and his own moral code. The Godfather was an immense success both critically and commercially, and has since been regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.

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

The Godfather Part II is the critically acclaimed and award-winning sequel to the 1972 classic The Godfather. In this second installment, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) expands his family's criminal enterprise in the late 1950s and early 1960s while trying to protect his own family. Despite his best efforts, Michael finds himself at odds with the Senate investigation into his family's activities, and his own brother Fredo (John Cazale) betrays him. The film also features flashbacks to the early life of Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) as he navigates his way through the criminal underworld of pre-WWII New York City. The Godfather Part II is considered to be one of the greatest films of all time and was the first 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 a 1990 crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and adapted from the 1986 non-fiction book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi. It tells the story of Henry Hill, an Italian-American mobster who, along with his friends and family, becomes involved in corruption, organized crime, and drug dealing. The film follows Hill's life from 1955 to 1980, depicting his rise to the top of the gangster hierarchy and his eventual downfall. It stars Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci, with Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, and Frank Sivero in supporting roles. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning six Academy Award nominations and grossing $46.8 million in the US. It has since become a cult classic and is considered one of the greatest films of all time.

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, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci. The film is based on the non-fiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi, who also co-wrote the screenplay for the film with Scorsese. The film follows the rise and fall of Sam "Ace" Rothstein (De Niro), a Jewish American handicapper who is asked by the Chicago Outfit to oversee the day-to-day operations at the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas. His childhood friend and Mob enforcer Nicky Santoro (Pesci) is sent to Vegas to protect Ace and make sure the money from the casino is being skimmed off the top. As the Mob’s influence in Vegas continues to grow, Ace finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between the Chicago Outfit, the corrupt politicians, and the Vegas police force. The film follows Ace as he works to keep the Mob’s control of the casino and his own personal agenda, while Nicky works to protect him and make sure the money keeps rolling in. In the end, the Mafia’s influence is

From Stars: Michael Nouri, Joe Penny, Brian Benben, Kathleen Lloyd, starring

The Gangster Chronicles is an American made-for-television crime drama miniseries that ran on NBC in 1981. The series stars Michael Nouri, Joe Penny, Brian Benben, and Kathleen Lloyd and tells the story of the rise and fall of the notorious 1920s mobsters Dutch Schultz, Lucky Luciano, and the Corleone crime family. The series follows the families through their various criminal activities, from bootlegging and racketeering to underworld politics and the machinations of the FBI. Along the way, viewers get a glimpse into the personal relationships between the characters, as well as the violence and turmoil that come with life in organized crime. The series also features some notable guest stars, including Robert Blake and Treat Williams. The Gangster Chronicles is an ambitious and gripping look at the lives of some of the most notorious figures in American crime history.

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, Johnny Depp, and Michael Madsen. It follows the story of undercover FBI agent, Joseph D. Pistone (Depp), as he infiltrates the Mafia in New York City during the 1970's. Posing as jeweler Donnie Brasco, Pistone befriends Lefty Ruggiero (Pacino), a low level mobster, and soon finds himself entrenched in the Mafia lifestyle. While establishing himself as a trusted member of the mob, Pistone's loyalties become divided between his FBI mission and his friendship with Lefty. As the stakes become higher, Pisone must decide which path to choose, and the consequences of his decision will reverberate throughout the criminal underworld.

From Stars: Jonathan Adams, Gregory B. Smith, Jim Wedick, Gil Reavill, starring
Rated TV-14

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, David Proval, Amy Robinson
Rated R

From Barry Levinson, starring Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Harvey Keitel, Ben Kingsley
Rated R

From Roger Corman, starring Jason Robards, George Segal, Ralph Meeker, Jean Hale
Rated Not Rated

From Michel Poulette, starring Martin Landau, Guido Grasso Jr., Bruce Ramsay, Tony Nardi

From Stars: Shelley Murphy, Anne Hawley, Dick Ellis, Martin Leppo, starring
Rated TV-MA

From Sharif Arafah, starring Ahmed el-Sakka, Mostafa Shaaban, Mona Zaki, Ahmad Rizq

From Michael Karbelnikoff, starring Christian Slater, Patrick Dempsey, Rodney Eastman, Costas Mandylor
Rated R

From Robert L. Collins, starring Susan Lucci, Kathleen Widdoes, Tony Curtis, Chuck Shamata