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15 Best Italian Mafia Movies You Should See Right Now

Italian mafia movies, also known as “Mafia cinema,” have garnered widespread acclaim for their poignant portrayal of Italy’s complex and clandestine world of organized crime. These films exemplify a masterful amalgamation of artistic finesse, cinematic craftsmanship, and social commentary, rendering them a cornerstone of contemporary cinema.

One of the hallmark features of Italian mafia movies is their nuanced and multifaceted portrayal of the intricacies of the mafia’s inner workings. Through meticulous attention to detail, these films delve into the labyrinthine networks of power, the codes of conduct, and the ruthless brutality that characterizes the mafia’s operations. The narratives often elucidate the psychological, social, and cultural dynamics that underpin the mafia’s existence, unveiling the intricacies of its hierarchies, rivalries, and internal conflicts with unflinching realism.

Furthermore, Italian mafia movies are renowned for their compelling characterizations, often depicting a kaleidoscope of personalities that populate the mafia milieu. From the morally conflicted anti-hero protagonists grappling with the burden of their choices to the cunning and Machiavellian dons who navigate the treacherous terrain of power and betrayal, these films craft vivid and multi-dimensional characters that resonate with audiences. The performances of the actors, often characterized by raw intensity and emotional depth, imbue these characters with an indelible authenticity that captivates viewers.

Moreover, the visual aesthetics of Italian mafia movies are often a testament to the cinematic artistry of the filmmakers. These films exhibit a keen sense of visual storytelling from the evocative use of lighting and shadows to create a chiaroscuro effect, from the picturesque depiction of the Italian landscape. The cinematography, often characterized by striking compositions, meticulous attention to framing, and symbolic imagery, conveys a visual language that enriches the narratives and deepens the audience’s engagement.

1. The Godfather

The Godfather is a 1972 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on Mario Puzo’s novel of the same name. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made and has had a significant impact on popular culture. The movie stars Marlon Brando as the patriarch of the Corleone family, a powerful New York Mafia clan, and Al Pacino as his reluctant son Michael, who takes over the family business.

The story is set in the late 1940s and early 1950s and explores power, loyalty, family, and traditional themes. The film is known for its iconic scenes and lines, such as the horse’s head in the bed, “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse,” and the baptism scene.

The Godfather was a critical and commercial success, earning eleven Academy Award nominations and winning three, including Best Picture. It was followed by two sequels, The Godfather: Part II (1974) and The Godfather: Part III (1990), both also directed by Coppola.

The Godfather has been recognized as one of the most influential films in cinematic history and has inspired countless imitations and parodies. It is often referenced in popular culture, and its impact can still be seen in modern films and television shows about organized crime.

2. Goodfellas

Goodfellas is a 1990 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese, based on the true story of Henry Hill, a former member of the Lucchese crime family. The film stars Ray Liotta as Hill, along with Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.

The movie follows Hill’s rise through the ranks of the mob, as he becomes a trusted member of the Lucchese family and participates in various criminal activities, such as drug trafficking and money laundering. Along the way, he develops relationships with his mentor Jimmy Conway (De Niro) and his erratic friend Tommy DeVito (Pesci).

Goodfellas is known for its realistic portrayal of the Mafia, its use of voice-over narration, and its memorable characters and dialogue. It has been praised for its direction, editing, and performances, and is considered by many to be one of the best films of the 1990s.

The film received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won one for Best Supporting Actor for Joe Pesci’s performance as Tommy DeVito. It has since become a cult classic and has been widely referenced and parodied in popular culture.

3. The Godfather: Part II

The Godfather: Part II is a 1974 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, and the second instalment in The Godfather trilogy. The movie stars Al Pacino, reprising his role as Michael Corleone, and Robert De Niro as his father, Vito Corleone, in a flashback to his early life. The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest sequels ever made and is often cited as the best of the trilogy.

The story is split into two parallel narratives, one following Michael as he expands the family business to Las Vegas and Cuba in the 1950s, and the other following Vito’s rise to power in New York City in the early 1900s. The film explores themes of family, loyalty, betrayal, and power, and delves deeper into the history and motivations of the Corleone family.

The Godfather: Part II was a critical and commercial success, earning eleven Academy Award nominations and winning six, including Best Picture, Best Director for Coppola, and Best Supporting Actor for De Niro. The film is notable for its use of flashbacks, which provide insight into Vito’s backstory and flesh out the world of the film.

The Godfather: Part II is widely regarded as a masterpiece of American cinema and is often included on lists of the greatest films ever made. Its exploration of the dark side of the American Dream and its examination of the corrupting influence of power continue to resonate with audiences today.

4. Scarface

Scarface is a 1983 American crime film directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone. The movie stars Al Pacino as Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee who rises to power in the drug trade in Miami. The film is a loose remake of the 1932 film of the same name, which was directed by Howard Hawks and starred Paul Muni.

The story follows Tony Montana as he arrives in Miami and becomes involved in the cocaine trade, working his way up the ranks and amassing a fortune. Along the way, he develops a relationship with the beautiful Elvira Hancock (Michelle Pfeiffer) and makes enemies with a rival drug lord, Alejandro Sosa (Paul Shenar).

Scarface is known for its intense violence, profanity, and graphic drug use, as well as its iconic performances and memorable lines. Al Pacino’s portrayal of Tony Montana has become one of the most iconic characters in cinema history, and the film has had a significant impact on popular culture, inspiring numerous parodies and references in music and television.

5. Gomorrah

Gomorrah is a 2008 Italian crime film directed by Matteo Garrone, based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Roberto Saviano. The film explores the power and reach of the Camorra, a criminal organization based in the Campania region of Italy, and its impact on the lives of ordinary people.

The movie is structured as a series of interconnected vignettes that depict various aspects of the Camorra’s operations, including drug trafficking, extortion, and waste management. The film follows several characters, including a young boy who becomes involved in the drug trade, a tailor who works for the Camorra, and a pair of garbage collectors who are caught up in the organization’s schemes.

Gomorrah is known for its gritty realism and unflinching portrayal of the Camorra’s brutality and corruption. The film was praised for its documentary-style approach and its use of non-professional actors, many of whom were recruited from the areas where the Camorra operates. The film won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards.

6. A Bronx Tale

A Bronx Tale is a 1993 crime drama film directed by Robert De Niro, based on the one-man play of the same name by Chazz Palminteri. The movie is set in the Bronx in the 1960s and follows a young Italian-American boy named Calogero (played by Francis Capra and Lillo Brancato) as he grows up and navigates the world of organized crime.

The film explores the relationship between Calogero and his father Lorenzo (played by De Niro), who is a hardworking bus driver and wants to keep his son away from the criminal lifestyle. However, Calogero becomes fascinated by the local mob boss Sonny (played by Palminteri), who takes him under his wing and becomes a father figure to him.

A Bronx Tale is known for its exploration of themes such as loyalty, family, and the American Dream, as well as its depiction of the complex relationships between fathers and sons. The film has been praised for its authentic portrayal of the Italian-American community and its use of music to capture the atmosphere of the era.

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7. The Untouchables

The Untouchables is a 1987 American crime drama film directed by Brian De Palma and written by David Mamet. The movie is loosely based on the real-life efforts of federal agent Eliot Ness (played by Kevin Costner) to bring down Al Capone (played by Robert De Niro) during the Prohibition era in Chicago.

The film follows Ness as he forms a small team of law enforcement officers, dubbed “The Untouchables,” to take down Capone’s criminal empire. The team includes veteran beat cop Jim Malone (played by Sean Connery), accountant Oscar Wallace (played by Charles Martin Smith), and rookie agent George Stone (played by Andy Garcia).

The Untouchables is known for its stylized violence, tense action sequences, and iconic performances. De Niro’s portrayal of Capone has been widely praised for its intensity and ferocity, while Connery’s performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The film also features a memorable score by composer Ennio Morricone.

8. Donnie Brasco

Donnie Brasco is a 1997 American crime drama film directed by Mike Newell and starring Johnny Depp and Al Pacino. The movie is based on the true story of Joseph D. Pistone, an FBI agent who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family in New York City in the 1970s under the alias “Donnie Brasco.”

The film follows Brasco as he befriends Lefty Ruggiero (played by Pacino), a low-level member of the Bonanno family, to gain access to the inner workings of the organization. As Brasco becomes more deeply involved in the criminal world, he finds himself torn between his loyalty to his FBI handlers and his growing affection for Lefty, who sees him as a surrogate son.

Donnie Brasco is known for its complex portrayal of the relationship between Brasco and Lefty, as well as its attention to detail in depicting the inner workings of the mafia. The film was praised for its performances, particularly Pacino’s portrayal of Lefty, which earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.

The film was a commercial success, but its critical reception was mixed. Some praised its realism and its exploration of themes such as loyalty and betrayal, while others criticized it for glamorizing the criminal lifestyle. However, the film has since gained a cult following and is considered a classic of the crime drama genre.

9. Casino

The Casino is a 1995 American crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone. The movie is based on the non-fiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi, which documents the rise and fall of the Mafia’s control of the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas during the 1970s.

The film follows Sam “Ace” Rothstein (played by De Niro), a professional gambler who is hired by the Mafia to run the Tangiers Casino. With the help of his childhood friend Nicky Santoro (played by Pesci), Rothstein quickly becomes one of the most successful casino bosses in Las Vegas. However, their success attracts the attention of the FBI, and their illegal activities eventually lead to their downfall.

The casino is known for its brutal depiction of violence and its exploration of themes such as greed, corruption, and the dark side of the American Dream. The film was praised for its performances, particularly Stone’s portrayal of Rothstein’s troubled wife Ginger, which earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

The film was a commercial success and was also critically acclaimed. It is often cited as one of Scorsese’s best films and is considered a classic of the crime drama genre. The film’s influence can be seen in numerous other crime films and TV shows, and it has inspired several parodies and tributes.

The casino is also notable for its soundtrack, which features a mix of classic rock and pop songs from the 1960s and 1970s, and for its use of voice-over narration, which is a trademark of Scorsese’s films.

10. The Sopranos

The Sopranos is a television series that premiered on HBO in 1999 and ran for six seasons until 2007. The show was created by David Chase and follows the life of Tony Soprano (played by James Gandolfini), a New Jersey mobster who struggles to balance his criminal activities with his family life and personal issues.

The Sopranos is known for its complex characters, intricate storytelling, and exploration of themes such as loyalty, power, and morality. The show also features a large ensemble cast, including Edie Falco as Tony’s wife Carmela, Lorraine Bracco as his therapist Dr Jennifer Melfi and Michael Imperioli as his nephew Christopher.

The show was a critical and commercial success and has been credited with ushering in a new era of television drama. The Sopranos won numerous awards, including 21 Primetime Emmy Awards, and its writing, acting, and production values have been praised.

11. The Sicilian Clan

The Sicilian Clan (original title: Le Clan des Siciliens) is a 1969 French-Italian crime film directed by Henri Verneuil and starring Jean Gabin, Alain Delon, and Lino Ventura. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Auguste Le Breton and tells the story of a Sicilian criminal mastermind who plans a daring heist with a group of French thieves.

The film follows Vittorio Manalese (played by Gabin), a Sicilian Mafia boss who enlists the help of French jewel thief Roger Sartet (played by Delon) to carry out a robbery of a heavily guarded jewellery exhibition in Rome. As the heist is planned and executed, tensions rise between the two men as they both vie for the affections of Jeanne (played by Irina Demick), Vittorio’s daughter and Sartet’s former lover.

The Sicilian Clan is known for its stylish direction, tense action sequences, and memorable performances by its lead actors. The film’s score, composed by Ennio Morricone, is also highly regarded and has become a classic of the crime film genre.

12. Once Upon a Time in America

Once Upon a Time in America is a 1984 epic crime drama film directed by Sergio Leone, starring Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, and Joe Pesci. The movie tells the story of a group of Jewish gangsters in New York City, spanning several decades from the 1920s to the 1960s.

The film is known for its non-linear narrative structure, jumping back and forth between different periods and exploring themes such as friendship, loyalty, and betrayal. The story follows the lives of Noodles (played by De Niro) and his friends, as they rise through the ranks of the criminal underworld and become involved in various illegal activities such as bootlegging, extortion, and murder.

Once Upon a Time in America is highly regarded for its direction, cinematography, and performances, particularly those of De Niro and Woods. The film’s score, composed by Ennio Morricone, is also highly regarded and has become one of his most famous works.

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13. Romanzo Criminale

Romanzo Criminale is a 2005 Italian crime drama film directed by Michele Placido, starring Kim Rossi Stuart, Pierfrancesco Favino, and Claudio Santamaria. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Giancarlo De Cataldo and tells the story of a group of criminals in Rome in the 1970s who become involved in a variety of illegal activities.

The film follows the lives of the “Banda della Magliana,” a gang of young criminals who rise to power through a series of daring heists, kidnappings, and other criminal activities. The gang is led by the charismatic Libanese (played by Favino), who dreams of becoming the kingpin of the criminal underworld in Rome.

Romanzo Criminale is known for its stylish direction, strong performances, and intricate storytelling. The film explores themes such as friendship, loyalty, and the corrupting influence of power. The film’s score, composed by Paolo Buonvino, is also highly regarded and has become a classic of Italian cinema.

14. The Godfather

The Godfather is a 1972 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the novel of the same name by Mario Puzo. Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, and Robert Duvall, the movie tells the story of the Corleone family, a powerful Italian-American Mafia clan, and their struggles to maintain their power and protect their interests.

The film is widely regarded as a masterpiece of cinema and is considered one of the greatest films ever made. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and has had a significant impact on popular culture. The film’s influence can be seen in numerous other films, television shows, and other forms of media.

The Godfather is known for its iconic performances, particularly that of Brando as the patriarch of the Corleone family, Don Vito Corleone. The film’s score, composed by Nino Rota, is also highly regarded and has become one of the most recognizable pieces of film music in history.

The film explores themes such as family, loyalty, power, and corruption, and is noted for its portrayal of the American Mafia as a tight-knit community with its code of ethics and rituals. The movie’s iconic scenes, such as the “horse’s head in the bed” and the “offer he can’t refuse” have become part of popular culture and are often referenced in other films and television shows.

The Godfather was followed by two sequels, The Godfather: Part II and The Godfather: Part III, both directed by Coppola. The Godfather: Part II is widely considered to be one of the greatest sequels ever made and won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

15. The Valachi Papers

The Valachi Papers is a 1972 crime drama film directed by Terence Young, starring Charles Bronson, Lino Ventura, and Jill Ireland. The movie is based on the book of the same name by Peter Maas, which tells the true story of Joseph Valachi, a Mafia informant who was the first member of the American Mafia to publicly acknowledge the existence of the organization.

The film follows Valachi, played by Bronson, as he rises through the ranks of the Mafia and eventually becomes an informant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). As he testifies against his former associates, he must also confront the dangers of being a “rat” in the criminal underworld.

The Valachi Papers is known for its realistic portrayal of the Mafia and its inner workings. The film’s depiction of the Mafia’s code of honour and its violent methods has been praised for its accuracy. Bronson’s performance as Valachi is also considered one of his best, and Ventura’s portrayal of a Mafia boss has been praised for its nuance and complexity.

The film was released during a time of renewed interest in organized crime, sparked by the success of films like The Godfather and The French Connection. It was moderately successful at the box office but has since gained a cult following and is regarded as a classic of the crime genre.