Best gangster film

badgerk

Wats everybodys favourite gangster film really scarface and also looking out for new films in this genre to watch if Nebody has ne suggestions

jefreywithonef

The obvious suggestions:

The first couple of Godfathers are of course amazingly put together. Fantastic story, direction and acting. If you haven't already, watch them.

City of God is a frenetic depiction of the Brazilian underworld, or at least the impoverished parts of it. It's very stylish and brutal in a similar way to Goodfellas, another film you've probably seen already or if not need to right away.

Casino is always compared to Goodfellas but it's a brilliant film in its own right. It boasts great acting, great music and great direction.

Carlito's Way is the clichéd tale of a gangster who tries to get of the business but finds himself lured back into it, only it's elevated by some great action and acting (Sean Penn is brilliant, as is Pacino when he's not changing his accent).

Gomorra is about criminal activity in Sicily. I haven't seen it in ages but I recall it being quite good.

Kill The Irishman was recent enough - about an Irish man the mob desperately wanted to kill. It's disjointed and horribly cringey in places but there are a couple scenes that are decent and a few recognisable faces that might make it worth checking out.

Bugsy, Hoffa and the HBO film Gotti are lesser known flicks also worth checking out. Hoffa is a bit schmaltzy but Bugsy and Gotti have their moments, especially the latter. Mikey and Nicky is another gem about two low level criminal friends. It's all dialogue-driven though so don't be expecting constant shoot-outs or the like.

badgerk

jefreywithonef wrote: »

The obvious suggestions:

The first couple of Godfathers are of course amazingly put together. Fantastic story, direction and acting. If you haven't already, watch them.

City of God is a frenetic depiction of the Brazilian underworld, or at least the impoverished parts of it. It's very stylish and brutal in a similar way to Goodfellas, another film you've probably seen already or if not need to right away.

Casino is always compared to Goodfellas but it's a brilliant film in its own right. It boasts great acting, great music and great direction.

Carlito's Way is the clichéd tale of a gangster who tries to get of the business but finds himself lured back into it, only it's elevated by some great action and acting (Sean Penn is brilliant, as is Pacino when he's not changing his accent).

Gomorra is about criminal activity in Sicily. I haven't seen it in ages but I recall it being quite good.

Kill The Irishman was recent enough - about an Irish man the mob desperately wanted to kill. It's disjointed and horribly cringey in places but there are a couple scenes that are decent and a few recognisable faces that might make it worth checking out.

Bugsy, Hoffa and the HBO film Gotti are lesser known flicks also worth checking out. Hoffa is a bit schmaltzy but Bugsy and Gotti have their moments, especially the latter. Mikey and Nicky is another gem about two low level criminal friends. It's all dialogue-driven though so don't be expecting constant shoot-outs or the like.

The godfather 1 and 2 are classics shame about the third. Think goodfellas is awesome as well. I've seem most of the classics so must keep an eye out for the gotti film as i just finished a book on him interested to see the film on him he seems like quite the charachter lol. Thanks for the suggestions

johnny_ultimate

Takeshi Kitano is a true master of the gangster film. Several of his prominent films - Sonatine, Boiling Point, Outrage, Kids Return and his masterpiece Hana-Bi - tackle yakuza-related themes to varying degrees. What differentiates him from the norm is that he manages to find a strange sort of lyricism in his films - the characters managing to find some sort of insight and enlightenment amidst the ultraviolence, gangland politics and pitch black comedy. Most of his efforts in the genre are thoroughly enjoyable entertainment, and some aren't meant to be taken all that seriously. But in the case of Hana-Bi particularly he manages to completely transcend the sometimes restrictive genre.

brianregan09

The Untouchables, Donnie brasco, Heat more good examples of good gangster movies

Pat Mustard

Once Upon a Time in America is a great gangster film.

American Gangster is also good.

Skerries

Bugsy Malone

buyer95

The 3 Godfather films are where it starts and ends for me... Honourable mention also to A Bronx Tale and Goodfellas

ricero

Im going to go a bit leftfield here and say lock stock and two smoking barrels. Great ****ing movie

e_e

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, even if it has the most hilariously incompetent gangsters ever.

spank_inferno

I really liked "Gangster No 1"

Great performace from Paul Bettany.

Sleepy

The Mustard wrote: »

Once Upon a Time in America is a great gangster film.

That was what I came into the thread to post, fantastic movie.

The Road to Perdition is a nice take on a gangster movie too in that it comes from a rather different angle than we're used to seeing.

Marsden

Not a movie but if your in to gangster series "Romanzo Criminale" is an absolute brilliant watch. Set in Roma in the 70's its got the mafia, gomorra, communists and secret service all in a based on a true story. Best thing I've seen in years. As for movies Eastern promises was worth a watch.

Aiel

A Bronx Tale is good,i suppose its like a Beginners guide to gangsters with how Sonny(The Boss) explains to "C" about why he stays in the neighbourhood,why he treats his men the way he does and that he thinks its better to be feared instead of loved.Also how "C"'s father talks about "it dont take much strength to pull a trigger but lets see him get up day after day and work for a living,lets see him try that,then we'll see who the real tough guy is,your fathers a tough guy the working man's a tough guy"-one of many great quotes in the film:).

kingtiger

how about State of Grace

great cast and its centres around the Irish mafia

Duggy747

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6M9nriFoqI

:pac:

FlashD

'Goodfellas' is the king of the gangster genre.

Charismatic actors and director at the top of their game, De Niro, Pesci, Liotta & Scorsese

Fast snappy quotable dialogue.

Fantastic soundtrack.

Despite the title, not a single good fella from the start to the end of the film.

Fysh

If we're going to talk about Japanese ultraviolence and gangsters, Ichi The Killer needs to be on the list

Icarus Wings

Sleepy wrote: »

The Road to Perdition is a nice take on a gangster movie too in that it comes from a rather different angle than we're used to seeing.

Really love Road to Perdition - beautiful cinematography with quality performances from Newman and Hanks. The soundtrack by Thomas Newman is also divine -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAsV7lSVszE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu33ASyD4o0

That scene

where Newman and Hanks discuss who will eventually see Heaven always gets me!

dark crystal

I'd also add Miller's Crossing to the other suggestions. Excellent performances all round in a film about warring Irish-American and Italian mobsters during prohibition.

Marsden

kingtiger wrote: »

how about State of Grace

great cast and its centres around the Irish mafia

Never heard of this before now, gonna give it a whirl. Suprised no-one mentioned The Departed.

Mickeroo

A few frecnch ones worth checking out:

A Prophet - Its set mainly in a prison and follows a young inmate's rise through the ranks.

Mesrine - This is split into two films called Killer Instinct and Public Enemy Number 1. Its based on a real life french gangster called Mesrine. Vincent Cassel is pretty good in the title role.

the purple tin

badgerk

Marsden wrote: »

Never heard of this before now, gonna give it a whirl. Suprised no-one mentioned The Departed.

The departed is class was only watching it again the other night. The cast is awesome

weemcd

Goodfellas probably my all time favourite, the film is basically perfect
Godfather I&II
Casino
Once Upon A Time in America
The Untouchables
Donnie Brasco
A Prophet - 5 star film, I've watched it twice, but its the kind of film i'll be going back to for years
The Departed & Infernal affairs go hand in hand
American Gangster is a bit underrated imo

Also King of New York - Chris Walken steals the show, Laurence Fishbourne (Larry Fishbourne in the credits :cool: ) is an out of control gang banger and his right hand man, very enjoyable film, though at times it does get OTT and it's not very subtle.

Have not seen Gotti or Bronx Tale, but I have been meaning to get around to them along with gomorra and infernal affairs II & III.

I love my gangsters, me.



/Edit how could I forget Heat?

Neil McCauleys Cooler Brother

Wow, not one single mention of some of the all-time great gangster pics:

Scarface (1932)
White Heat
Le Cercle Rouge
Le Samourai
Le Doulos

(The last three by Melville, the gangster master.)

marwelie

Marsden wrote: »

Not a movie but if your in to gangster series "Romanzo Criminale" is an absolute brilliant watch. Set in Roma in the 70's its got the mafia, gomorra, communists and secret service all in a based on a true story. Best thing I've seen in years. As for movies Eastern promises was worth a watch.

It started as a film, I have it on DVD.

Mesrine 1 and 2 probably aren't exactly what you are referring to here but are well worth a watch....

sbsquarepants

jefreywithonef wrote: »

Kill The Irishman was recent enough - about an Irish man the mob desperately wanted to kill. It's disjointed and horribly cringey in places but there are a couple scenes that are decent and a few recognisable faces that might make it worth checking out.
.

This film could have been brilliant - but in fact it was one of the worst films i've ever seen. Difinitely an opportunity lost.

For my recommendations -

Goodfellas
Once upon a time in America
Pulp fiction
The departed

And not quite a ganster film, more just a film with gangsters in it - True Romance

gregers85

Loads on my list:

The Godfather 1 & 2
Goodfellas
Casino
The Untouchables
The Departed
American Gangster
Pulp Fiction
Snatch
Lock, Stock and 2 smoking Barrels

WHIP IT!

gregers85 wrote: »

Loads on my list:

The Godfather 1 & 2
Goodfellas
Casino
The Untouchables
The Departed
American Gangster
Pulp Fiction
Snatch
Lock, Stock and 2 smoking Barrels

Careful with the lists lads or we're heading towards Locksville... great list though, think ill watch The Departed tonight

Marty McFly

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Takeshi Kitano is a true master of the gangster film. Several of his prominent films - Sonatine, Boiling Point, Outrage, Kids Return and his masterpiece Hana-Bi - tackle yakuza-related themes to varying degrees. What differentiates him from the norm is that he manages to find a strange sort of lyricism in his films - the characters managing to find some sort of insight and enlightenment amidst the ultraviolence, gangland politics and pitch black comedy. Most of his efforts in the genre are thoroughly enjoyable entertainment, and some aren't meant to be taken all that seriously. But in the case of Hana-Bi particularly he manages to completely transcend the sometimes restrictive genre.

Cheers for that, be looking them up in the coming weeks .

sbsquarepants wrote: »

This film could have been brilliant - but in fact it was one of the worst films i've ever seen. Difinitely an opportunity lost.

Shame really havent seen the film but have heard bad things but read the book and it certainly had the potential to make a wonderful film. Along with The story of The Westies in New York which would make an amazing film, hopefully someday it happens I know there have been rumours.

sbsquarepants wrote: »

And not quite a ganster film, more just a film with gangsters in it - True Romance

Ah im sure we could squeeze that into the gangster film bracket .

A reccomendation from me would be

A Bittersweet Life which you could also squeeze into the Gangster film bracket.

jefreywithonef

sbsquarepants wrote: »

This film could have been brilliant - but in fact it was one of the worst films i've ever seen. Difinitely an opportunity lost.

I got the impression the director desperately wanted to be Scorsese, only you know he failed miserably.

WHIP IT!

Hoffa popped up on this thread a few times so thought I'd give it a watch just there. Enjoyed it, though De Vito was very good in it and Nicholson is never anything other than excellent... Kinda saw the 'twist' coming but still, an enjoyable movie.

gregers85

Any takers for the likes of the original "Get Carter" havent seen it in a good few yrs but remember enjoying it before!

dirkmeister

Would "Road to Perdition" be classed as a gangster film?

That was very enjoyable.

Ole Rodrigo

+ 1 on Kitano Takeshi. In particular, ' Hana-Bi ' . Amazing film.

Wintergreen

I love Layer Cake its a smart, slick, well paced British crime movie, more serious than Lock, Stock etc but it also contains multiple interconnecting plot lines. A Prophet has already been mentioned a few times but its a brilliant film that everyone should check out.

MagicMarker

Ah lads, not one mention of Boyz n the Hood?

Also A History of Violence.

sullzz

Casino
Carlitos way
Goodfellas
Godfather 2
Reservoir dogs
Once upon a time in America
Scarface
City of god
City of men
Donnie brasco
Boyz in the hood
Menace to society

0066ad

I've seen a lot films that has been posted here, was looking for a good movie,
to watch,never heard of "A Prophet" before so decided to watch that.

What a show, that was fantastic!

Nemanja91

A Bronx Tale.

kingtiger

dirkmeister wrote: »

Would "Road to Perdition" be classed as a gangster film?

That was very enjoyable.

of course it would, I think Tom Hanks being a mob enforcer\hitman would give it away :pac:

a great movie to boot

Paul Newman was superb as usual, and love the cinematography

tipptom

State of Grace,a terrific film,beautiful music and the scene with Gary Oldman going to make the hit in the restaurant coked out of his head was brilliant.

Casino is up there with goodfellas if nor better.

Long Good Friday,still not dated and for Bob Hoskins faces when faced with Pierce Brosnan in his car at the end alongside the sountrack.

Think I am the only person in the world who thinks Godfather 111 was not that bad,think peoples opinions was muddied by the critics savaging of Sophie Coppolas role which was based more on their accusations of nepotism rather than the her acting.(Ok,im of to get a helmet in anticapation of the mortar bombs going to drop).

tipptom

State of Grace,a terrific film,beautiful music and the scene with Gary Oldman going to make the hit in the restaurant coked out of his head was brilliant.

Casino is up there with goodfellas if nor better.

Long Good Friday,still not dated and for Bob Hoskins faces when faced with Pierce Brosnan in his car at the end alongside the sountrack.

Think I am the only person in the world who thinks Godfather 111 was not that bad,think peoples opinions was muddied by the critics savaging of Sophie Coppolas role which was based more on their accusations of nepotism rather than the her acting.(Ok,im of to get a helmet in anticapation of the mortar bombs going to drop).

Duck Soup

I'd definitely give honorable mentions to the Korean movies "A Bittersweet Life" and "A Dirty Carnival".

The Maverick

Can anyone name this gangster film for me? Saw parts of it a while ago but I can't remember the title.

It's a British one, set in the 60s/70s but I would say only made in the last 10 years or so. The only scene I can remember is a gangster sauntering into a police station and casually decapitating one of the corrupt detectives who bet up his girlfriend with a sword. The may have been a dream sequence within the film because it was glossed over very quickly I think.

Sad Professor

The Maverick wrote: »

Can anyone name this gangster film for me? Saw parts of it a while ago but I can't remember the title.

It's a British one, set in the 60s/70s but I would say only made in the last 10 years or so. The only scene I can remember is a gangster sauntering into a police station and casually decapitating one of the corrupt detectives who bet up his girlfriend with a sword. The may have been a dream sequence within the film because it was glossed over very quickly I think.

It's a deleted scene from In Bruges with Matt Smith playing a young Ralph Fiennes.

The Maverick

Sad Professor wrote: »

It's a deleted scene from In Bruges with Matt Smith playing a young Ralph Fiennes.

Thanks! That's been annoying me for a while, could have sworn it was a full film.

I see why they deleted that, it was a bit OTT.

siblers

Mickeroo wrote: »

A few frecnch ones worth checking out:

A Prophet - Its set mainly in a prison and follows a young inmate's rise through the ranks.

Mesrine - This is split into two films called Killer Instinct and Public Enemy Number 1. Its based on a real life french gangster called Mesrine. Vincent Cassel is pretty good in the title role.

Came in here to post those 2.
So as an alternative I shall suggest A Bittersweet Life, korean film about a high ranked gang member who ends up in a bit of bother with his own gang.
Edit, this may have been mentioned but this film is amazing.

King of Kings

good films recommended. I'll need to check a few of them.
Scarface is very good but kinda over hyped at the same time

Romanzo Criminale wasn't bad - although thought the series was much better.

The pusher triliogy is ace.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117407/

Forget that remake muck thisyear (the uk film) - those films are real gritty and tense.

I Like a few 70s ones - if you wanted a leftfield choice - I enjoyed one called "the friends of eddie coyle" (if you want fast paced snappy dialogue - it's not for you)

Gustavo Fring

American Me


Bonnie and Clyde


Angels With Dirty Faces