All the Mafia movies have aroused a high level of interest in international audiences. In the plots we find attractive combinations full of scandal and action. With that reference is made to issues such as merchandise trafficking, conflicts between different sides and a great deal of creativity to execute plans that are outside the established law. Great topics to explode on the big screen! That is why throughout this article we expose our selection with the best mafia movies of all time.
The plots do not represent any fairy tale: reflect the harsh reality that exists within organizations mafia and around them. However, the stories fill us with adrenaline and intrigue through eccentric characters who like luxury, power and greed. Read on to learn about the most momentous stories that the film genre has developed!
Smuggling is a crime: illegal goods have varied over time and across territories. Tobacco, alcohol and synthetic drugs have been included in the list of merchandise penalized throughout different periods. There are organizations dedicated to trafficking even people!
Due to the complexity of the operations, criminals organize within groups governed by unshakable guidelines. That is why legendary mafias have been formed over time. As an example we find the Italian, Russian and Japanese mafia among the most recognized. On the other hand, American continent also has extensive networks organized crime, which have inspired many mafia movies.
Among the titles that have generated the largest audience in movie theaters, we find the following:
The Godfather (Part I, II, III)
It is a cinematic classic that has two sequels. It is an adaptation of the novel by Mario Puzo and it was directed by the renowned Francis Ford Coppola. The first film of the trilogy won an Oscar for best film of the year. It was released in 1972 and starred Marlon Brando, Al Paccino, Robert Duvall, Richard Castellano and Diane Keaton.
"The Godfather" tells the story of the Corleone clan: made up of an Italian-American family that is among the five most important families of the Cosa Nostra of New York. This family is headed by Don Vito Corleone, who is related to mafia affairs.
The history recounted retrospectively in the second and third parts that were released in 1974 and 1990 respectively. The family has 3 sons and a woman. For some of them it is important to continue with the family business, however others are not interested. Usually we find Don Vito working together with the family to maintain his empire.
Throughout the three films we find alliances and clashes between the five main families that are part of the Italian-American mafia and that control the region. In addition to the Corleones, we find the family Tattaglia, Barzini, Cuneo and the Stracci.
Without a doubt, it is a trilogy that you cannot miss! His three films are among the most acclaimed and appreciated productions internationally. In 2008, it ranked first in the ranking of the 500 Greatest Movies of All Time., made by Empire magazine.
Pulp Fiction
It is one of the most representative productions of Quentin Tarantino, it was released in 1994 and is considered one of the best films of the decade. The movie is divided into several interconnected chapters. It stars renowned actors such as: Uma Thurman, John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson and Bruce Willis.
The plot tells the story of Vincent and Jules: two hit men. They work for a dangerous gangster named Marsellus Wallace, who has a stunning wife named Mia. Marsellus tasks his hitmen with the task of recovering a mysterious briefcase that was stolen from him, as well as taking care of his wife when he is out of town.
Mia is a beautiful young woman who is bored with her everyday life, so that gets romantically involved with Vincent: One of her husband's workers! The relationship between the two represents a great danger if the husband finds out about the situation. Despite Jules' warnings, Vincent lets his feelings for Mia grow and indulges all of her whims, one of which puts his life at risk!
On one of their walks around the city, they attend a club where one of the most emblematic scenes of the film takes place through an exotic dance on the floor.
With Tarantino's quirky style, the story unfolds full of violence, murder, drugs and black humor. If you haven't seen it, you can't miss it!
Scarface
This title corresponds to a remake of a film released in 1932. The new version was released in 1983 and starred Al Paccino. "Scarface" cor corresponds to one of the mafia films that generated the most controversy: It was rated "X" in the United States for its high content of violence!
Tony Montana, the protagonist, is a Cuban immigrant with a murky past who settles in the United States. Tired of a life full of poverty and limitations, Tony decides to improve his quality of life at all costs. That's why he and his friend Manny start taking illegal jobs for local mob bosses. Soon his ambition grows and starts his own business dealing drugs and builds a solid distribution and corruption network. He became one of the most important drug traffickers in the region!
When he succeeds, he decides to win over the girlfriend of one of his enemies. Gina, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, is an iconic woman who marries Tony shortly after.
Tony becomes addicted to cocaine and is finding it increasingly difficult to control his temper. He begins to increase his list of enemies and to have marital problems. In the course of the story, many scenes of conflict with enemies of the organization unfold.
You cannot miss this movie, it is within the top 10 of the selection of the American Film Institute!
Departed
Of the famous Director Martin Scorsese; we find one of the most recent mafia movies released in 2006. In the police suspense drama, we find Leonardo Di Caprio and Matt Damon as protagonists. The Departed won the Oscar for best picture of that year!
The plot centers on the life of two people who infiltrate the opposing sides: a policeman infiltrated into the mafia and a mobster infiltrated into the police. Explosive combination full of drama, suspense and intrigue! The eccentric actor Jack Nicholson offers a large number of scenes that will stir your emotions with a peculiar performance as he plays Frank Costello. He is a bloody mobster who has many enemies and who has a very close relationship with one of the two protagonists, who is spying for him from the Boston Police Department.
There is a love triangle headed by a psychologist from the police department.
We find unexpected twists in the story and a lot of action, which is why it is considered one of the best films of the genre. Not to mention also that Scorsese is always a guarantee of a movie with a singular execution!
The Untouchables of Eliot Ness
Released in 1987, this mafia-linked movie tells the opposite story: that is the police version of what happens in the fight against organized crime. It starred Kevin Costner and the main cast includes Robert de Niro, as well as Sean Connery.
The plot sIt takes place in Chicago in the heyday of the American mob. The protagonist is a police whose job it is to enforce Prohibition, so he raids a bar in the dreaded Al Capone. In that place he finds a strange anomaly that makes him think that the city police are being bribed by the traffickers; so that dDecide to assemble a team to help you break down the wall of corruption.
Big doses of classic XNUMXs cinema with lots of action await you!
American Gangster
Starring Denzel Washington, this historical film is on our list of best mafia movies because it is based on true events and we see both sides of success by living outside the law.
The Frank Lucas story, one of the henchmen of a renowned drug trafficker who dies of natural causes. Lucas was cunning and intelligent, so he learned how to run the business and He started to form his own company in which he included his entire family that he was of humble origin. Lucas meets Eva, a beautiful woman with whom he decides to marry and start a family.
Soon they they begin to live in an eccentric way that catches the attention of the incorruptible detective Richie Roberts, played by Russel Crowe. Immediately the detective begins an exhaustive investigation with the aim of unmasking the new big man of the mafia to take him behind bars.
In the development of the film we can find scenes of violence and great acts of corruption that the mafia uses to continue operations.
We can see the human side of the crooks in this film, yet problems never stop haunting them. American Gangster has become a staple for those who like Holywood mob movies!
Other Recommended Mafia Movies
In addition to the titles mentioned above, we find others that are very relevant and are mentioned below:
- Road to Perdition
- Once upon a Time in America
- Goodfellas
- Pandillas de Nueva York
- Death among the flowers
- City of God
- Eastern promises
- A history of violence
- Point blank love
- Dirty game
- Snatch: Pigs and Diamonds
- Goodfellas
The list is endless! There are countless titles for this genre that mostly offer us great scenes of action, suspense, luxury and violence. The main rule is to kill to survive!