The Godfather
With this year markingThe Godfather ’s fiftieth day of remembrance , there ’s no better time to brush up on some of the best mafia films to escort . Specialized by conductor like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola , mob flick have remained popular for their cutting - edge action , witty dialogue , and overall legendary filmmaking .
Mafia films are also authoritative because they think over a cardinal sentence in American history . Most mob stories often watch over the lives of immigrants , who as ordinary multitude were capable to rise to the top ranks because of the Sicilian Mafia and ultimately became all - potent forces . That might , however , of necessity head to a great ruin , which is the Cosa Nostra taradiddle director articulate with some of the most unforgettable film techniques .
Donnie Brasco (1997) - 7.7
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While most mafia moving-picture show are inspired by the overall historic mobs centered in America , some are based on dependable stories forthwith . This is the case forDonnie Brasco , a plastic film that exemplify the biography of Joesph D. Pistone , an undercover FBI agent who infiltrated a fellowship crime syndicate under the alias Donnie Brasco . One of the large aspects of the movie is its plot , which explore the complex phone line Pistone must walk between his problem and his newly formed relationships , especially his snug bond with mature gangster Lefty ( Al Pacino ) .
Related:10 Best Documentaries About The American Mafia
Donnie Brascoalso features some excellent acting , balance the classic mobster acting style of Al Pacino and the proven versatility of Johnny Depp ( Pistone ) . The two have excellent interpersonal chemistry in the motion-picture show , which makes the chronicle ’s themes of honor and treachery even more grievous and impactful .
A Bronx Tale (1993) - 7.8
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A Bronx Talehas demonstrate itself as an fantabulous mobster film because of its representation of the real - spirit struggle of Italian - Americans in the 1960s . The film ’s game centers around the conflict of the young Calogero , who is stuck between his reliable , workings - class folk and the tempting biography of the mob .
The movieA Bronx Talecontains a lot of serious subjects , such as the racial tensions between Italian - American and the bleak community at the time . However , its solemn themes coincide with vivid act performance and comic , fast - paced dialogue . These juxtaposed tones overall blend together to make a rich experience that bring in the film a title asone of the best mobster picture .
The Irishman (2019) - 7.8
A couple of years ago , The Irishmanbecame an all-night hit on Netflix , and for good reason . Though most of the highest - rate mafia film have been released before the twelvemonth 2000 , Scorsese shew that Greco-Roman mob moving-picture show can still be made today with his three - and - a - half - 60 minutes epic tale .
The Irishmanis great because it brings back the filmmaking technique of old mafia hit , making it visually look more classic than other films produced today . It also stands it ground because of its playacting performances from Robert De Niro , Al Pacino , and Joe Pesci . These player have already solidified their epithet as Maffia asterisk years ago , but their Old age gives a unique perspective to the pack floor through their lense of maturity .
Casino (1995) - 8.2
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Director Martin Scorsese has earned a speckle as one of the primary drawing card in mobster films , andCasinois a bully instance of his filmmaking domination of the genre . The story follows the complex human relationship between old supporter Ace and Nicky , who are cryptical and well - written characters encapsulated in the hazardous crime syndicate spirit .
Related:10 Ways Casino Is in reality Better Than Goodfellas
Casinohas unique , arresting visuals that work to pronounce the lavish , garish modus vivendi that makes the mafia so likable . However , Scorsese skillfully balances this luxuriousness with the dangers of wealth and power , all wrapped in an immersive narration that is based on true events .
Once Upon A Time In America (1984) - 8.3
Once Upon a Time in Americais a gangster masterpiece co - written and directed by Sergio Leone . The film has many great qualities , but one of the most notable is its plot , which follows salutary friends Noodles and Max , as they uprise to become gangsters in the Judaic mob . The story is fabulously immersive and credible to the prison term period it is stress to convey , and its focal degree around best booster makes its non-white theme of greed and perfidy even more impacting .
regrettably , the U.S. going of the film was heavily slew and received terrible receipt . It has since been bushel inits over 3 - minute long " European cut,“which retains all the good tempo and structure of the original yield .
Scarface (1983) - 8.3
Scarfaceis an eighty crime pic that follows Tony Montana ’s journeying from his offset as a Cuban refugee to an all - powerful drug lord . Some find the film excessively violent and unprocessed , and it took a long fourth dimension for it to be more widely accepted . However , as of the current Clarence Day , it is regarded as one of the best mafia stories on projection screen .
Most ofScarface ’s success is due to its lead star , Al Pacino , whose consecrated performance paint Montana as a alone , well - round character who is both fearless and barbarous , yet able to be empathise with . The movie ’s history is unforgettable because of Montana ’s epic rise and fall . The film also avoids gangster clichés and create something that can stand on its own .
The Departed (2006) - 8.5
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The Departedis yet another Scorsese classic , though this film turn over into the Irish mob instead of the Italian - American Cosa Nostra and sport two military personnel set about to pass through a pack lead by Frank Costello ( Jack Nicholson ) . The movie stigmatize Scorsese ’s first and only Oscar for Best Director and is most highly revered for its riveting plot of ground rooted in pure suspense .
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Though one ofThe Departed ’s initial appeals is its all - star cast , what really drives the pic is its complex story . Under Scorsese ’s direction , the plastic film is always moving forwards , with splendid pacing and passel of crook to maintain interview interestingness from the origin to its end .
Goodfellas (1990) - 8.7
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Scorsese’sGoodfellasis considered a classic mafia movie for honorable reasonableness . From a filmmaking standpoint , the moving-picture show has been commended for its nonlinear storytelling techniques , which examine the pencil lead character Henry Hill from different points in prison term , allowing the audience many perspectives on his down journey .
Goodfellasis also deal one of the greats for its immersion into Maffia liveliness . The plot of ground was deduce from Nicholas Pileggi ’s bookWiseguys , which follows a true storey . Since the movie is rooted in nonfictional prose , its story feels fantastically real and accurate , giving TV audience a proper flavour into what life is like in the pack .
The Godfather: Part II (1974) - 9.0
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The Godfather : Part IIis only bested by its predecessor . The film is still rankedone of the good picture of all timefor many reasons , mostly its deep and complex story . WhileThe Godfathersets up the moral force of the Corleone mob , PartIIintensely try the life of Micheal Corleone ( Al Pacino ) , the family ’s youngest son .
Through Micheal , the audience can see the dumb putrescence the mafia takes on one of its leaders , even though he previously tried to stay on degage . It also employ flashback technique to give a full picture of the Corleone dynasty and an interesting parallel between young Vito ’s rising to top executive and Micheal ’s fib . The deep and serious themes of the film are encapsulated by Pacino ’s stellar acting , which artfully illustrate just how vivid the Sicilian Mafia can take on one somebody .
The Godfather (1972) - 9.2
The Godfatherholds the locating as not only the greatest mafia movie but one of the best motion picture of all time . Francis Ford Coppola ’s film take unchallenged mastery in all aspects of filmmaking and include a poetic , heroic storyline that perfectly outlines the power battle and downfalls of being involve in the mob .
There ’s an endless tilt of film techniques that makeThe Godfatherlegendary . One is its unforgettable score , which perfectly articulates the film ’s sombre and serious tones . Another is its honour - winning screenplay , which was written by both Coppola and the original novel ’s source Mario Puzo . Also , Marlon Brando ’s versatile performance is a big part of the picture ’s legendary success .
NEXT:10 Great Italian - American Movies That Are n’t About The Mafia
