Words Charlotte Blacklock

Drama, intrigue, and violence are the order of the day in this much-anticipated gangster film helmed by genre heavyweights. Academy Award-winner Barry Levinson directs from a script by Casino and Goodfellas writer Nicholas Pileggi, with Robert De Niro starring, not once, but twice, in his first dual lead role.

The story tells the real-life mob war between Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, two of the most powerful mafia bosses in American history. Their intense vendetta sends ripples through the criminal underbelly of 1950s New York.

At the height of their rivalry, Genovese orders a hit on Costello that only leaves him wounded. It does, however, succeed in consequently seeing Vito decide to take a step back from the frontline. His transition to normality is bound to bring its challenges, particularly when you factor in the many who are scheming and waiting for a chance to strike.

De Niro and his mafia movie connections are more than enough to make this a highly anticipated title on its own. Throw in performances from The Sopranos legend Kathrine Narducci and rising British star Cosmo Jarvis, and The Alto Knights offers a cinema experience that can’t be refused.

Wise Guys

Part of what makes gangster movies so exciting is that the stories and characters are based on real people.

Goodfellas

Based on Henry Hill and how he was enamoured with the crime world. This renowned tale chronicles his time with Lucchese crime family and how it all it goes wrong as he tries to make his way up the mob hierarchy.

The Untouchables

Perhaps not the most historically accurate of its kind, but the inspiration for Brian De Palma’s classic heirs from American Prohibition agent Eliot Ness’ 1957 memoir.

The Irishman

Scorsese’s epic follows Frank Sheeran and his involvement with the Bufalino family. He rises through the ranks, but things become difficult when he goes to work with Jimmy Hoffa.