Mafia: 56

Avenging Angelo (2002), an American direct-to-video action comedy directed by Martyn Burke, tells the story of a mob boss, Lucio Malatesta, who framed one of his rivals, Angelo Allieghieri, for another rival’s murder. This leads to the son of the victim, Gianni Carboni, seeking revenge. Since then, Frankie Delano has dedicated his life to protecting Angelo and his daughter, Jennifer Barrett. However, Jennifer’s husband Kip Barrett has sent their son Rawley away to boarding school against her wishes. Despite being raised by her adoptive parents Whitney and Peggy Towers, Jennifer is unaware that Angelo is her ...

Gangs of New York (2002) is an American historical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, based on Herbert Asbury’s book, The Gangs of New York. Set in the slum of Five Points in 1846, the story follows two rival gangs. The Anglo-Protestant Confederation of American Natives, led by William ‘Bill the Butcher’ Cutting, and the Irish Catholic Dead Rabbits, led by ‘Priest’ Vallon, engage in their final battle for control of the territory. After Bill kills Vallon and declares the Dead Rabbits outlaws, Vallon’s young son witnesses it all and is sent to an orphanage on Blackwell’s ...

Road to Perdition (2002) is an American crime drama film directed by Sam Mendes and written by David Self. It is based on the first volume of the graphic novel series, also titled Road to Perdition, by Max Allan Collins and Richard Piers Rayner. The story takes place in 1931 during the Great Depression. The main character, Michael Sullivan Sr., was taken in and raised by Irish Mob leader John Rooney in Rock Island, Illinois. Despite being feared as an enforcer for ...

Get Carter (2000) is an American action thriller film directed by Stephen Kay and written by David McKenna. Jack Carter, a mob enforcer living in Las Vegas, returns to Seattle upon hearing of his brother Ritchie’s death in a drunk driving accident. His colleague Con McCarty covers for him with their boss Fletcher – whose girlfriend Audrey is involved with Jack. At the funeral, Jack meets his niece Doreen and Ritchie’s friend and coworker Eddie. They both share that Ritchie rarely drank and wouldn’t have driven under the influence; Eddie also assures him ...

Snatch (2000), a film by Guy Ritchie, follows a group of robbers donning the guise of Orthodox Jews in the London underworld. In Antwerp, they successfully swipe an 86-carat diamond and smaller gems. To sell the loot on behalf of Cousin Avi, a New York jeweler with mob connections, gang leader Franky Four-Fingers heads to see diamond dealer Doug The Head in London. During his escape, one of his comrades advises him to obtain a weapon from arms dealer and former KGB agent Boris The Blade. Franky then calls Boris, who happens to be his brother, and instructs him to steal the diamond before he can deliver it to ...

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) is a popular British crime film both written and directed by Guy Ritchie. The movie not only gained international recognition for Ritchie, but also marked the feature film debuts of actors Jason Statham and  Vinnie Jones, both known for their previous careers as a diver and footballer, respectively. With a modest budget of $1.35 million, the film proved to be a major hit by earning over $28 million at the box office. Its plot ...

Donnie Brasco (1997) is an American crime drama film directed by Mike Newell. Set in 1978 New York City, it follows the story of Lefty Ruggiero, an aging enforcer in the Bonanno crime family, and Joseph D. Pistone, a young FBI agent undercover as jewel thief ‘Donnie Brasco’. When Donnie questions the authenticity of a diamond acquired by Lefty from a strip club owner and takes revenge on his behalf, their partnership begins. Under Lefty’s guidance, Donnie learns about the rules of the Mafia and meets his colleagues in the crew – Sonny Black, Nicky, Paulie, and rival leader Sonny Red. After the ...

Sleepers (1996), an American crime drama film, was written, produced and directed by Barry Levinson. It is based on Lorenzo Carcaterra’s novel of the same name. Childhood friends Lorenzo ‘Shakes’ Carcaterra, Tommy Marcano, Michael Sullivan and John Reilly reside in Hell’s Kitchen during the 1960s. Their parish priest Father ‘Bobby’ Carillo, who has had a troubled past himself, attempts to guide them towards making good decisions. While still engaging in pranks and working for local gangster King Benny, the boys take things too far when ...

Get Shorty (1995), an American gangster comedy film directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and written by Scott Frank, is based on Elmore Leonard’s novel of the same name. Ernesto ‘Chili’ Palmer, a loan shark and movie enthusiast from Miami, faces trouble when his leather jacket is taken by rival mobster Ray ‘Bones’ Barboni. In retaliation, Chili retrieves it and breaks Bones’ nose. However, Bones later tries to ambush him at his office, only for Chili to shoot first and graze Bones’ ...

Casino (1995) is an epic crime film directed by Martin Scorsese, based on Nicholas Pileggi’s nonfiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas. In the movie, sports handicapper and Mafia associate Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein is enlisted by the Chicago Outfit to run the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas alongside frontman Philip Green. With Sam at the helm, the casino sees a significant increase in profit, thanks in part to some unaccounted-for cash skimmed from the count room and delivered to the Midwest Mafia bosses. To ensure protection for Sam, the ...

Bullets Over Broadway (1994) is a comedic, crime-themed film helmed by acclaimed director Woody Allen. It tells the story of David Shayne, an aspiring playwright who moves to New York City in 1928 with high hopes for his newest work, God of Our Fathers. In his search for financial backing, he is persuaded by producer Julian Marx to hire Olive Neal, the girlfriend of notorious gangster Nick Valenti, for a minor role. Despite Olive’s lack of talent and Shayne’s mounting frustration, he finds solace in casting faded star Helen Sinclair as the lead and dieting British actor Warner Purcell. However, complications ...

Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed the American independent film, Pulp Fiction (1994). The narrative of the film deviates from chronological order and centers around three separate protagonists: Vincent Vega, a hitman; Butch Coolidge, a prizefighter; and Jules Winnfield, Vincent’s business partner. It opens with a diner robbery by a couple and then transitions between the three story lines before concluding back at the diner. Throughout the film, there are seven distinct narrative sequences, marked by intertitles. Summary. As Pumpkin and Honey Bunny dine at ...

Carlito’s Way (1993) is an American crime drama film helmed by Brian De Palma and written by David Koepp. The screenplay is based on the novels Carlito’s Way (1975) and After Hours (1979) written by Judge Edwin Torres. Set in 1975 New York, the story follows Carlito Brigante’s release from prison after serving five years of a thirty-year sentence. His close friend and lawyer, Dave Kleinfeld, uses a legal loophole to get him out. Despite his initial plans to leave behind his criminal ways, ...

Quentin Tarantino’s film, Reservoir Dogs (1992), follows a group of eight men as they carry out a diamond heist. They all use aliases except for the boss, Joe Cabot, and his son, ‘Nice Guy’ Eddie Cabot. While having breakfast at a diner, things take a dangerous turn when they realize the job was a setup and their fellow thief, Blonde, has gone rogue. With Brown dead and Blue and Blonde missing, White and Orange flee to their hideout where they meet up with Pink. As tensions rise between the men over what to do next, White is angered by the fact that Blonde was even hired in the first place due to his ...

Oscar (1991) is an American comedy film directed by John Landis. It is a remake of the 1967 French film of the same name, but with a setting in Depression-era New York City. In the prologue, gangster Angelo ‘Snaps’ Provolone promises his dying father to leave his life of crime behind and turn over a new leaf. A month later, Snaps begins his day at his mansion, where he has an important meeting scheduled with prominent bankers. He plans to donate a large sum of cash and secure a spot on the bank’s board of trustees, fulfilling his promise to lead an honest life. As he prepares for this meeting, ...

The American crime film, The Godfather Part III (1990), was produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Co-written with Mario Puzo, the screenplay follows the story of Michael Corleone who is approaching 60 in 1979. Wracked with guilt over his ruthless rise to power, Michael donates millions to charitable causes. He is also dealing with the aftermath of ordering his brother’s murder. Michael and his ex-wife Kay are divorced, and their children Anthony and Mary reside with Kay. During a reception at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral honoring Michael, which takes ...

King of New York (1990), a neo-noir directed by Abel Ferrara and written by Nicholas St. John, follows drug lord Frank White as he attempts to gain control over New York City’s criminal underworld. Following his release from Sing Sing Penitentiary, White and his crew, led by his loyal associate Jimmy Jump, solidify their power by eliminating rival groups such as the Colombian drug cartel and Triad. In one instance, White personally takes out a Mafia boss who refuses to cooperate with him. The notorious actions of White and his team attract the attention of the ...

Goodfellas (1990) is a biographical crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. Set in Brooklyn during the mid-1950s, the film follows Henry Hill as he becomes infatuated with the Mafia lifestyle in his Italian-American neighborhood. Working under caporegime Paulie Cicero and alongside his fellow delinquents Jimmy ‘the Gent’ Conway and Tommy DeVito, Henry starts off as a fence for Jimmy and gradually progresses to more serious crimes. The trio spends their evenings at the Copacabana nightclub, indulging in their glamorous lifestyle surrounded by women. Despite initial concerns about Henry’s criminal ...

The American film, The Untouchables (1987), was directed by Brian De Palma, produced by Art Linson, and written by David Mamet. It is set in Chicago during Prohibition, where notorious gangster Al Capone controls the illegal liquor industry. Bureau of Prohibition agent Eliot Ness is assigned to stop Capone’s illegal activities. His first attempt at a raid is unsuccessful due to corrupt police officers tipping off Capone. However, he meets veteran officer James Malone, who opposes corruption and offers to assist Ness. ...

China Girl (1987) is an independent neo-noir romantic thriller film directed by Abel Ferrara and written by his longtime partner Nicholas St. John. Set in 1980’s New York City, the story follows teenage boy Anthony ‘Tony’ who lives in Little Italy and works at a pizzeria making dough. During a night out at a nightclub, he meets and dances with the beautiful Chinese teenager, Tye. Their encounter is cut short when Tony is pursued by the local Chinese street gang led by Tsu Shin, but he is saved by his older brother Alberto ‘Alby’, who heads ...