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Summary
The seventies are known cinematically as the bill of New Hollywood , a stop good with sheer experimentation by artists at the summit of their talent and influence , deliver a wave of classics in the making after the ho-hum dying of the creaky studio system . The era was alsoa high point for some of the unspoiled law-breaking pic , from scrappy gamey - wire acts by older auteurs , like Sidney Lumet’sDog Day Afternoon , to pulpy , mellow - concept flush rides , like Walter Hill’sThe warrior .
The most famed ‘ LXX law-breaking moving picture is undoubtedlyFrancis Ford Coppola ’s pack masterpieceThe Godfather , but beyond its patently unequaled position as an put up breakout classic , its success is also demonstrative of the kinds of quality criminal offence picture being made by up - and - come up auteurs , studio apartment draftsmen , and draw a bead on indie creatives likewise . Many excellent mobster movies did n’t get the attention they merit because ofThe Godfather , which won three Academy Award and is known as one of the best crime movies of all time .
Godfather Trilogy
Rotten Tomatoes Score
The Godfather ( 1972 )
97 %
The Godfather , Part II ( 1974 )
96 %
The Godfather , Part III ( 1990 )
66 %
A few unexpected gangster films have made big waves throughout the years , leaving behind a noticeable impact on the democratic film genre .
10Mikey and Nicky (1976)
A Bungled Film Shoot That Became A Classic
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Mikey and Nicky , directed by Elaine May , is a 1976 law-breaking dramatic play featuring John Cassavetes and Peter Falk . The pic follow lifelong Friend Nicky , who fears for his liveliness after betraying his ring boss , and Mikey , who seek to help him navigate the perilous situation . The tense narrative explores motif of trust , allegiance , and betrayal within a gritty , urban landscape .
Elaine May ’s thrillerMikey and Nickywas produced under the torpedo at Paramount . Between inter - cast tension and fight with studio bosses over production schedules and budgeting , the film ’s net cut was at long last taken aside from the managing director , who had shot a report 1.4 million feet of film by shooting ’s end(that ’s three time the duration blast for the epicGone with the Windfor a pic that terminate up a mere 10,000 metrical unit long ) . It ’s unsurprising then that the resulting cutting was also a boondoggle , flop disastrously at the box office .
The picture play along two small - time gangster buddies , Nicky ( John Cassavettes ) , who ’s perennially in hot water , and Mikey , ( Peter Falk ) , who cleans up his muddle . This time , Nicky ’s stolen from the mob and has a gun on his trail . The largely improvised film is both melancholy and tense as the two men discourse their ever - shrinking lot of options , holed up in a motel . In 1978 , May recut the picture , which has later become a classic .
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9Black Caesar (1973)
A Blaxsploitation Classic Starring Fred Williamson
Black Caesar is a crime play directed by Larry Cohen , featuring Fred Williamson as Tommy Gibbs , an African American mobster get up to power in Harlem . specify against the backdrop of racial tension , the film chronicles Gibbs ' ruthless ascension within the criminal underworld and explores musical theme of treason and retaliation . Black Caesar is notable for its gamy depicting of urban life-time and its strong carrying into action .
Released less than a year afterThe Godfather , B-complex vitamin - picture show showman Larry Cohen ’s blaxploitation classicBlack Caesarwas primitively commissioned by Sammy Davis Jr. , who , sick of playing second violin to Frank Sinatra , wanted top billing on a film of his own . difficulty with the IRS prevented him from starring , however , and sothis rise - and - fall story of a gangster taking over organize crime in Harlem became a breakout vehicle for former football whizz Fred Williamson .
shoot on location with the participation of local gangsters ( who were be sick , and even ended up on the poster as recompense instead of the payoff they ’d in the first place requested),the cinema has been canonized as a high gunpoint for the genre , in part due to its realistic , handheld shooting and memorable operation .
Mikey and Nicky, directed by Elaine May, is a 1976 crime drama featuring John Cassavetes and Peter Falk. The film follows lifelong friends Nicky, who fears for his life after betraying his mob boss, and Mikey, who tries to help him navigate the perilous situation. The tense narrative explores themes of trust, loyalty, and betrayal within a gritty, urban landscape.
While not without its arguing , there ’s no dubiety that the blaxploitation genre catapulted some of the expert pitch-dark actors and actresses to stardom .
8Blue Collar (1978)
A Tough-Guy Classic
Blue Collar , directed by Paul Schrader , come three machine workers at a Detroit car plant grappling with the pressure and unfairness of their workings environment . Richard Pryor , Harvey Keitel , and Yaphet Kotto star as the trio who plan to rob their union ’s dependable , hoping for a dependable living . The film delve into themes of class battle , putridness , and the complexities of labor movement .
Paul Schrader ’s directorial debut , Blue Collartells the intertwining and morally grey-headed stories of three jointure autoworkers ( Richard Pryor , Harvey Keitel , and Yaphet Kotto ) , who have come down on voiceless times . In motivation of cash and down on prospects , they hook their shop class ’s secure , only to find themselves caught up in a WWW of contravene loyalties , a competition postulate the FBI , organize offense , and organized proletariat . The homo must determine whether to turn informer or stand their ground , possibly facing charges for the original criminal offense – – or worse .
The film was a challenge for Schrader , made more difficult give his strained relationship with his actors . He eventually had an excited partitioning . Nevertheless , the ruined film is both elaborately plotted and deft , lending a bittersweet sense of innocence lost to the kinds of tough - guy characters who spend long stretches drink PBR on their couches . It ’s become a classic of the writing style .
Mikey and Nicky, directed by Elaine May, is a 1976 crime drama featuring John Cassavetes and Peter Falk. The film follows lifelong friends Nicky, who fears for his life after betraying his mob boss, and Mikey, who tries to help him navigate the perilous situation. The tense narrative explores themes of trust, loyalty, and betrayal within a gritty, urban landscape.
7The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)
Tragic And Warm Storytelling For A Gangster Movie
An aging bonnet is about to go back to prison . Hoping to break loose his fate , he supplies information on stolen gunman to the feds , while at the same time ply subdivision to his coin bank robbing chums .
The Friends of Eddie Coyleset the touchstone for the kinds of crime photographic film set in Boston made famous byThe DepartedandThe Town , decades later . LikeBlue Collar , it stick to a adequate , deep - down form of guy cable , Eddie “ Knuckles ” Coyle ( Robert Mitchum ) , as he finds himself reduced to shit on his friend in the depository financial institution robbery racket in Hope the cop will give him a geological fault on a disjoined flush .
Director Peter Yates had previously become bonk for offence films likeThe Hot RockandBullit , and he brings a clear confidence and familiarity to this well - lived - in tragedy , watching his 50 - something antihero fix with his wife , go to Bruins game , and push cart of groceries around gently lit parking lots in Quincy . The film was well received , and has afterwards make a respectable report for its quietly tragic , warmly - matte up storytelling .
6Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)
A Great Example Of John Cassavetes' Directing Style
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is a 1976 crime dramatic event directed by John Cassavetes . The film asterisk Ben Gazzara as Cosmo Vitelli , a nightspot owner who becomes mire with a group of gangsters after accumulating a gambling debt . To settle his debt , Vitelli is coerced into commit a serious crime , lead to a complex and grave situation . The movie dig into themes of power , control , and the dire outcome of desperate action .
With John Cassavetes ’ typically loose , demoniacally improvisational style , The Killing of a Chinese Bookieisa unique gangster film full of oddball characters ( preside over by David Bowie , who watched the shoot and come along sporadically in the background ) , beautiful positioning , and a fidgety sense of deaths foretold lurking just under the soapy smiles and broad synthetic collars of each character ’s discotheque - ready suits .
The original cut , released in 1976 , was a commercial dud , disliked even by Gazzara , but was unfreeze several years later as a much shorter cut
Black Caesar is a crime drama directed by Larry Cohen, featuring Fred Williamson as Tommy Gibbs, an African American gangster rising to power in Harlem. Set against the backdrop of racial tension, the film chronicles Gibbs' ruthless ascent within the criminal underworld and explores themes of betrayal and revenge. Black Caesar is notable for its gritty portrayal of urban life and its strong performances.
Cosmo Vitelli ( Ben Gazzara ) is a nightclub owner with esthetic aspirations and painfully few finances to work them to spirit , made all the more desperate when a loan shark comes to hoard . Unable to give , the reluctant Cosmo must kill a bookmaker , or pay the cost . The original cut of meat , release in 1976 , was a commercial flop , disliked even by Gazzara , but was released several years later as a much shorter cut . Both reading have been held up since the director ’s last as fantabulous good example of his mode and knack with actors .
5The American Friend (1977)
A Tale Of Forgery & Criminal Conspiracy
The American Friend , directed by Wim Wenders , stars Dennis Hopper as Tom Ripley and Bruno Ganz as Jonathan Zimmermann . The plastic film follows the story of a dying characterization framer who is drawn into a criminal netherworld by an artistic creation forger and conman Ripley . As they take form a complex friendly relationship , the lines between morals and survival blur . Based on Patricia Highsmith ’s novel Ripley ’s Game , it is a taradiddle of misrepresentation and trueness .
The American Friend , directed by German auteur Wim Wenders ( Wings of Desire , Paris , Texas , Perfect Days ) , is a musing , meta - referential neo - noir . Based on the novelRipley ’s Gameby Patricia Highsmith , Wenders cast other directors in many of the gangster part ( include Samuel Fuller ) in his narrative of counterfeit and deplorable conspiracybetween an American mobster , Tom ( Dennis Hopper , whose role was in the first place intended for John Cassavettes ) and Jonathan ( Bruno Ganz ) , an graphics - forger turn ( like Eddie in The Friends of Eddie Coyle ) into an unwilling assassinator .
Film critic Roger Ebert argued that Wenders ' design with this loose speculation on the mobster genre was to " challenge " viewers " to accept that we watch ( and read ) thrillers as much for standard pressure as for plot . “Where films likeThe Godfatherare visceral , this one is actively contemplative .
German picture palace has had a immense impact on motion picture in the past hundred years - and these films represent the in effect of the best .
4The Yakuza (1974)
A Winding Tale Of Double-Crosses
The Yakuza follows Harry Kilmer , a private police detective who returns to Japan to rescue a protagonist ’s kidnapped girl . Starring Robert Mitchum and directed by Sydney Pollack , the moving picture delve into the complexities of Japanese organized crime , boast theme of pureness and betrayal . Practical use of swordsmanship and cultural profundity add to its uniqueness within the crime genre .
The Yakuza , directed by Sydney Pollack ( They Shoot Horses , Do n’t They?,Tootsie ) , is a winding tale of international crosses and double - crosse , following an American investigator ( Robert Mitchum ) , hired to help an American mobster ( Brian Keith ) retrieve his kidnapped daughterfrom the Japanese mob ( the Yakuza ) . The film was in the beginning mark to be helmed by studio lord Robert Aldrich ( Kiss Me Deadly , What Ever Happened to Baby Jane ? ) , but was replaced because of creative differences with Schrader and his imperativeness on barf Lee Marvin in the Mitchum office .
the box bureau response toThe Yakuzawas “ disastrous , ” consort to Schrader in aFilm Commentinterview
Blue Collar, directed by Paul Schrader, follows three auto workers at a Detroit car plant grappling with the pressures and injustices of their working environment. Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel, and Yaphet Kotto star as the trio who plan to rob their union’s safe, hoping for a better life. The film delves into themes of class struggle, corruption, and the complexities of labor movements.
InThe Yakuza , Schrader ’s characteristic metaphysical vehemence and melodic line of mystery is on full display , mollify by Pollack ’s often virtual shooting style and clear sake in the underlying languor of the material . The alternative to set the story from the position of Mitchum ’s world - weary detective places the film in an sometime , more overtly hard - boiled tradition than Mitchum ’s more naturalistic criminal role inThe Friends of Eddie Coyle , but , likeBlue Collar , the box berth response toThe Yakuzawas “ calamitous , ” according to Schrader in aFilm Commentinterview . Like the earlier film , though , it has been reclaimed as part of both creative person ’ body of work .
3Mean Streets (1973)
An Underrated Martin Scorsese Film
Mean Streets is a criminal offence dramatic play conduct by Martin Scorsese , conform to the lives of small - time crook in New York City ’s Little Italy . Starring Harvey Keitel as Charlie and Robert De Niro as the reckless Johnny Boy , the film search musical theme of guiltiness , buyback , and the rough realities of street aliveness . Mean Streets is noted for its gamey portraiture of urban corruption and the dilemmas present by those entangled in it .
Martin Scorsese ’s underratedMean Streetsis a rich , pregnant , and deep spiritual filmdrawnfrom the young director ’s experiences turn up Catholic in Little Italy . The flick , though not his first , was his breakout , and the first which he was able to amply control . LikeMikey and Nicky , Mean Streetstracks the relationship between two diminished - metre mobsters , the almost masochistically brainish Johnny Boy ( Robert De Niro ) , and Charlie ( Harvey Keitel ) , his closest friend and stage - head up protector .
De Niro and Keitel were both praise for their functioning , and Scorsese was able to ride the picture show ’s success
As Johnny Boy ’s joke intensify out of control , Charlie sticks his cervix out further and further , stretch to the breaking point , working to stay lawful to his value in a fundamentally corrupt , violent scheme . The film ’s luxurious color pallet and beautiful Ne - soaked cinematography complement its tonal switchbacks between luxuriant ( often desperate ) muscularity and morose ( every bit dire ) reflexion . De Niro and Keitel were both praised for their performances , and Scorsese was able to ride the celluloid ’s achiever , help staggeringly by approval from Pauline Kael , to work first with Ellen Burstyn onAlice Does n’t Live Here any longer , and thenTaxi Driver .
Martin Scorsese is one of the most darling music director alive , but even he has a smattering of efforts that were n’t appreciated upon their initial tone ending .
2The Harder They Come (1973)
Inspired By Real-Life Crime Lord, Vincent Martin
The Harder They Come pursue Ivanhoe Martin as he arrive in Kingston , Jamaica , take aim for a music vocation . He secures a transcription contract , but a conflict with a producer leads him into a living of offence . The film explore his procession as a kinsfolk hero amidst his burgeoning reggae success .
Considered one of the most significant Caribbean films of the epoch , The firmly They Come , directed by Perry Henzell , isa gangster picture show loosely inspired by real - life crime lord Vincent Martin , make out as Rhyging . The film star reggae singer Jimmy Cliff and features original songs by the creative person .
its propelling storytelling remains deeply compelling , and it stands as a unequaled view of Black Jamaican community
The motion picture , sumptuously shot on location , is performed for the most part in densely - accent creole , and required subtitle when it was finally unloose in the US by Roger Corman ’s B - studio , New Word Pictures . After a little - seen special theatrical run , the film put on attending as a midnight attraction that spring , and became a modest smash . WhileThe firmly They Comewas criticise as overly plot - y by American critics at the time , its propelling storytelling remain deeply compelling , and it stands as a unequalled purview of Black Jamaican communities who were seldom render on - screen at the sentence .
1Performance (1970)
A Unique, Artsy Crime Film
carrying out is a 1970 British crime dramatic event plastic film co - directed by Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg . The picture show stars James Fox as Chas , an East London mobster on the run who hides out in the decaying mansion of a reclusive rock-and-roll star , Turner , played by Mick Jagger . As Chas and Turner interact , their identities and realities begin to blur , create a surreal story that explores themes of tycoon and translation .
It took Nicolas Roeg and Donald Cammell ’s mystical , intricate , deep poetical gangster picture show , Performance , decades to earn the recognition it deserve . Shot in 1968 , the film , which recount the psychosexually entangle tale of a mobster ( James Fox ) on the getaway at the voluptuous home of a incubation , psychedelic debauchee ( Mick Jagger ) after pull a smash , was shelve until 1970 for its overt gender and heady philosophical partial .
Over the course of that decade , this endlessly fascinating artistic crime film was screen sporadically in the US and Europe , only reaching a widely sensory audience observe its rest home video release in 1980 . It was a totally unlike type of film thanThe Godfather , but that ’s what made it so unique .
While it ’s the movie has its defense , it must be admitted that The Godfather Part III paled in compare to its inaccessible two predecessors .
seed : Film Comment
An aging hood is about to go back to prison. Hoping to escape his fate, he supplies information on stolen guns to the feds, while simultaneously supplying arms to his bank robbing chums.
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is a 1976 crime drama directed by John Cassavetes. The film stars Ben Gazzara as Cosmo Vitelli, a nightclub owner who becomes entangled with a group of gangsters after accumulating a gambling debt. To settle his debt, Vitelli is coerced into committing a serious crime, leading to a complex and dangerous situation. The movie delves into themes of power, control, and the dire consequences of desperate actions.
The American Friend, directed by Wim Wenders, stars Dennis Hopper as Tom Ripley and Bruno Ganz as Jonathan Zimmermann. The film follows the story of a dying picture framer who is drawn into a criminal underworld by an art forger and conman Ripley. As they form a complex friendship, the lines between morality and survival blur. Based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel Ripley’s Game, it is a tale of deception and loyalty.
The Yakuza follows Harry Kilmer, a private investigator who returns to Japan to rescue a friend’s kidnapped daughter. Starring Robert Mitchum and directed by Sydney Pollack, the film delves into the complexities of Japanese organized crime, featuring themes of honor and betrayal. Practical use of swordsmanship and cultural depth add to its uniqueness within the crime genre.
Mean Streets is a crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese, following the lives of small-time criminals in New York City’s Little Italy. Starring Harvey Keitel as Charlie and Robert De Niro as the reckless Johnny Boy, the film explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the harsh realities of street life. Mean Streets is noted for its gritty portrayal of urban corruption and the dilemmas faced by those entangled in it.
Performance is a 1970 British crime drama film co-directed by Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg. The film stars James Fox as Chas, an East London gangster on the run who hides out in the decaying mansion of a reclusive rock star, Turner, played by Mick Jagger. As Chas and Turner interact, their identities and realities begin to blur, creating a surreal narrative that explores themes of power and transformation.
The Godfather chronicles the Italian-American Corleone crime family from 1945 to 1955. Following an assassination attempt on family patriarch Vito Corleone, his youngest son Michael emerges to orchestrate a brutal campaign of retribution, cementing his role in the family’s illicit empire.
