The word "mafia" came to the world from Sicily, and meant a criminal community having a common structure and a specific code of honor. Linguists did not fully figure out the complete etymology, but for the first time this word with criminal overtones appeared in 1843. Filmmakers have repeatedly addressed the topic of organized crime in their films, and therefore thebiggest will talk about the best films about the mafia. Films are taken according to the rating of Kinopoisk, but we will place them in the order of release to the screens.
So, here are the best films about the mafia:
1
Godfather. USA. 1972
The crime saga, filmed by director Francis Ford Coppola, tells the story of the Corleone family, which operated in the 40-50s. According to the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts, it is considered the best gangster film and the best film in the history of cinema.
Corleone's criminal gang was one of New York’s five large mafia families that controlled drug trafficking. It is difficult to retell the plot, because the drama is worth it to spend 3 hours watching it.
The magnificent script and skill of the cast brought this film into the masterpieces of world cinema. The “Godfather” piggy bank has 3 Oscars, as well as 19 other prestigious awards and film awards.
2
Scam. 1973
The movie of George Roy Hill was nominated for 10 Oscars, of which she received 7, including as the best film of the year. The motion picture became a classic of the robbery movie genre, where two main characters act.
The tape begins with a robbery of a Mafia courier in a suburb of Chicago. One of the friends dies in a shootout with the mafia, and the second turns to the scam master to avenge his friend.
Will a perfectly thought-out scam be realized, the viewer will know by watching the movie to the end. Critics' scores, awards and awards indicate the film is excellent.
3
Face with a scar. 1983
This is a remake of the cinematic drama of 1932, telling about the action of the mafia during the Prohibition period. Two Cubans, having arrived in America, start working for the mafia, and over time they quickly earn a lot of money and authority in the criminal world.
Tony Montana, played by Al Pacino, takes over the criminal empire of Frank Lopez. Everything is going well, but then Tony begins to pursue failure and clash with other factions.
At first, the film received negative reviews from critics, but was warmly received by the audience. After almost 30 years from the release date, modern experts in the world of cinema have made him one of the best gangster films.
4
Octopus. Italy. 1984-2001
10 countries took part in the creation of the film, but it tells about the struggle of law enforcement officers with the Sicilian mafia and corruption in the highest echelons of power in Italy.
The first parts tell about the struggle of the principal commissar Cattani with representatives of organized crime. In 4 parts, he dies, but his associates continue the investigation and go on the trail of the organizers and perpetrators of the murder.
In the Soviet Union, the first three parts of the television series were the most popular, and the main character, Commissioner Cattani, became the favorite movie hero. Actor Michele Placido several times came to the Union, where he met with fans.
5
Carlito's Way. 1993
Edwin Torres wrote two novels, The Carlito Way and Overtime, based on which director Brian de Palma made a motion picture. The main role in it was played by Al Pacino.
The action of the criminal drama takes place in 1975, when the mafia boss Carlito Briganthe is prematurely released from prison. He decides to break with the criminal past, but new circumstances again force him to cross the law.
Carlito for the last time agrees to exchange a large batch of drugs for money, but something went wrong. In a shootout, his nephew dies, and he himself is forced to hide.
6
Once upon time in America. 1994
The gangster film was shot on the autobiographical story of Harry Gray. The protagonist recalls the days of the Prohibition, when a gang of gangsters and smugglers functioned in one of the quarters of New York.
The four-hour film tells about the friendship, betrayal and criminal actions of the mafia clan from the Jewish quarter. The film covered the period from the beginning of the 20s until 1968.
Italian filmmakers awarded the film 5 silver ribbon awards, and in the USA it won the BAFTA Award for Ennio Morricone's music and best costume design.
7
Leon. France. 1994
The cult crime drama, shot by Luke Besson, rightfully occupies a leading position according to most movie sites.
The main role in the film was played by Jean Renault, and his partner in the frame was the beginning star of world cinema Natalie Portman. Hero Renault is a professional killer. He meets a girl Matilda, whose family died.
Matilda asks Leon to teach her the skills of a killer in order to take revenge on the murderers of her father and mother. There are two versions of the film - regular and advanced, which added 25 minutes of scenes that were not included in the first version.
8
Casino. 1995
The third film by Martin Scorsese, shot in the genre of gangster film. The main roles in the crime drama were played by Robert de Niro and the incomparable Sharon Stone.
The main characters of the film, based on the book of Nicholas Pileggi and Larry Chandling, had real historical prototypes. Sam Ronshtein is a professional player, and mafia bosses trust him to run a casino in Las Vegas. His adventures and problems with the police are narrated by the picture "Casino".
The film was nominated for many awards, and Sharon Stone received the Golden Globe for Best Actress.
9
Donnie Brasco. 1997
The plot of the crime drama was based on the real story of Joseph D. Pistone, an employee of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The film was included in the top 10 best gangster films according to AFI.
Under the pseudonym Tonni Brasco, he was introduced into the mafia structure “The Bonanno Family”, which carried out its criminal activities in New York. Tonnie became another authoritative member of the group, Benjamin Ruggiero, nicknamed "Lefty."
For his work, the FBI agent was awarded a medal. Now he lives with his family under the Witness Protection program, and the mafia announced $ 500,000 for his head.
10
Clan Soprano. 1999-2007
The cult crime series was broadcast on the HBO channel, and in Russia NTV and TV-3 bought the rights to display. He has become one of the most successful television series on American television.
The plot is based on the story of the fictional mafia boss Tony Soprano, who is trying to follow the principles of the criminal organization while maintaining harmony in the family. All 6 seasons received high marks from critics, and became the highest rated HBO channel.
It is noteworthy, but the actors who played in the series more than once had problems with the law, and were arrested for various reasons, and some served a real time.
11
Gangster Petersburg. Russia. 2000-2007
The Russian television series was shot on 8 books by Andrei Konstantinov, and was a great success among the audience. An exciting plot and a great play of actors have become components of success.
Conditionally, the television series can be divided into two parts. The first tells about the criminal situation in the 1990s in the Northern capital. The problem of corruption in law enforcement is also being raised. The second part is already talking about big business, and the merging of crime and power.
The name was coined by journalist Andrei Bakonin, who published a number of articles under this heading about organized crime in St. Petersburg.
12
Brother 2. 2000
The continuation of the cult crime drama by Alexei Balabanov, where Danila Bagrov again appears as the main character.
In the movie, the protagonist and his brother decide to help the brother of his friend Danila, who was killed by Russian criminal structures. They are faced not only with Russian criminals, but also with the American mafiosi and the Ukrainian mafia operating in Chicago.
The film received excellent reviews from film critics, but there were several scandals. So, in 2015, “Brother-2” was banned from showing on the territory of Ukraine. Despite the scandalous nature, the film was shown in many countries of the world.
13
The Departed. Hong Kong. 2006
Director Martin Scorsese made a great feature film, starring Leonardo di Caprio and Matt Damon.
Two excellent students, having graduated from the walls of the police academy, find themselves on both sides of the barricades. One begins to work in a mafia structure to identify a mole in the police. The second serves in the police, but supplies the information to the mafia. Both adapted perfectly to the new environment.
They have one task - to find and destroy the enemy, but the environment and the unusual situation changes the worldview of both. The film itself has received many awards, including the Oscar.
14
Gangster. 2007
The story in the Ridley Scott film begins in 1968. The mafia boss dies, and his driver Frank Lucas takes a trump card and starts to conduct business himself.
Over time, an honest and fair New York policeman, Richie Roberts, comes onto his trail. In criminal drama, there was a place for high love. Frank makes an offer to the beautiful Eve, and she agrees to become his wife.
Mafia affairs are doing well, but a principled policeman is fundamentally changing Lucas's plans. The crime drama was shot on the real events that Frank Lucas himself told. Interestingly, Lucas acts as a prototype in other films about the mafia.
15
Legend. Great Britain. 2015
The British-French film is based on the real story of twin brothers named Cray, who terrorized the British capital in the 60s of the last century.
Former boxer Reggie pulls brother Ronnie out of a psychiatric hospital, and together they start working for the US crime syndicate. Officers of Scotland Yard come on their trail, and the cruelty of the brothers amazes even seasoned detectives.
We will not reveal the secret of how the drama ends, but let us say that in real life Ronnie died of a heart attack in 1995, and Reggie died of cancer five years after the death of his brother.
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Conclusion
So the TOP-15 of the best films about the mafia according to Kinopoisk has been completed. Many films about organized criminal structures were made on the basis of real historical events. To make a good movie, directors and scriptwriters process a large number of archival documents, and also turn to witnesses for help. Thanks to this approach, believable, highly artistic films are obtained, and star casts complement the full picture of success.
Thebiggest.ru editors are waiting for your comments. Write what movies about the mafia do you like? Perhaps we will expand our article according to your comments.
Article author: Valery Skiba