Gonna run a poll here . The rules are simple.You only get to vote once and only for 1 movie (so no Godfather trilogy---you have to pick one of them) Multiple choices means no vote. Doesn't have to be Mafia, any organized crime movie will do, so you can dig back into the past and pull out a James Cagney/Bogie/Edward G. Robinson out or some recent drug cartel flick. Oh, and Sopranoes does not qualify as it was a show even though it is what sparked this poll.

My pick is "Goodfellas" oh I love all the others I just think this one gives the more vicious side of Mobs

I'll give it a week or so then we will see which movie gets the most votes. Remember more than one and your vote is disqualified.

My pick:

GoodFellas

I think what makes this one different from all of the other gangster movies is it explains how things worked. It takes a young boy and takes him through the whole process of being in organized crime. Plus the cast is great. I think Joe Pesci holds the record for saying the “F” word by an Oscar winner. Great movies and certainly one of those I watch anytime it is on, no matter how far into the movie it is.

Godfather. Hands down. Consider the classic scenes: Bonaserra asking for Corlene's assist in avenging his daughter and the Don's response, "What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? If you'd come to me in friendship, then this scum that ruined your daughter would be suffering this very day. And if by chance an honest man like yourself should make enemies, then they would become my enemies. And then they would fear you."

Or "Leave the gun; take the cannolli."

Michael: My father made him [the bandleader] an offer he couldn't refuse.
Kay: What was that?
Michael: Luca Brasi held a gun to his head, and my father assured him that either his brains - or his signature - would be on the contract...

"Tonight, Luca Barsi sleeps withteh fishes"

"I'm a superstitious man, and if some unlucky accident should befall him, {Michael} if he should get shot in the head by a police officer, or if he should hang himself in his jail cell, or if he's struck by a bolt of lightning, then I'm going to blame some of the people in this room. And that, I do not forgive. But that aside, let me say that I swear on the souls of my grandchildren, that I will not be the one to break the peace that we have made here today."

"Fredo, you're my older brother. And I love you. But don't ever take sides against the family again. Ever."

"Tell Mike it was only business. I always liked him...Tom, can you get me off the hook? For ol' times' sake?"

Michael: Come on. Don't be afraid, Carlo. Come on, you think I'd make my sister a widow? I'm Godfather to your son, Carlo...You're out of the Family business, that's your punishment. You're finished. I'm putting you on a plane to Vegas...I want you to stay there, understand? Only don't tell me you're innocent. Because it insults my intelligence and makes me very angry. Now, who approached you? Tattaglia or Barzini?
Carlo: It was Barzini.

Then there's the horse head scene. HItchcock could have directed that,

How disappointing. 4 days only 2 responses and 18 folks looked at it. NOt like the old days where we perused all the forums and had such vibrant discussions. I sure do miss those days when we also spent time on the Junk Drawer, History and MOvie forums Nowdays Armorama seems to be filled with a bunch of argumentative rivet counters who seem to be more worried about how many bolts were used to hold on the spocket teeth of a Panther made on Sept 10 1944 and do you have 10 photo's to back it up, then having three or four guys getting into it trying to prove they are the "ultimate authority".. I think everyone is forgetting that we are building a model which I think a good definition would be a representation of the real thing. Accuracy is great, but when you need a 2x magnifier to spot the exact difference....to me that knocks the fun out of it.

OK, enough soapbox. Maybe we'll pick up some more votes over the weekend. COME ON FOLKS>>>>I KNOW THERE ARE TONS OF YOU OUT THERE WHO LOVE THESE MOB MOVIES AS MUCH AS I DO !!!!!

I'll show my age:
Key Largo.
with Eddie G and Bogart.
Only thing missing to make it perfect---- Cagney.

Godfather as was said no reason for more answers

The best and only, the rest were knock offs.

Good fellows was good so was the one with Bruce Willis but none compare to the Godfather

Goodfellas...If its on, I can't turn it off ...Vince

As much as I love the godfather as a trilogy, and I can only vote for 1 film, it has to be Goodfellas.
I really get a kick out of the ''What do you mean I'm funny?' scene, classic

First, I've got to say that "mob movies" are my least favorite genre. I just can't seem to get behind what I consider to be glorification of a bunch of murders. Kind of like how I feel about those who are so fascinated by the SS but that's another issue. I'm not preaching, to each his own, it's just not my cup of tea.

That said as far as a movie is concerned I'd have to go with the Godfather. I can't think of any movie that is more quoted, has a better cast, made more of an impact on movies as a whole, and. for it's genre, more riveting.

I certainly was hoping for a lot more votes and a little more variety. But so far Goodfells leads Godfather 1 by one vote and Dave brought out an old classic. I also loved Godfather 2 which showed the rise of the mob and Casino. I can't remember the one that dealt with the Jewish mob in the 30's and 40's but that also would go into my hall of "shame" Classics would have to be Little Ceasar most of the others were just gangster movies, though anything with Cagney, Bogie and Edward G. was super.

SNATCH.

Lock, Stock, and two smoking barrels.

I know that many may feel it's to corny, and the plot is to ..well.. you know..

But the violence, bad language, and humour and violence make it a good movie.

And I say this as somebody who is NOT involved in organised crime... just as I presume that all those people who nominate Goodfellas a the best ever movie are not intimately involved in the Mob..

I love mob movies as well.

I cannot admit to having seen every mob or organised crime movie ever made.

One vote one movie then its the Godfather.

I think Al set out the reasons beautifully.

The icing on the cake for me as regards voting is the Godfather was it is a superb book and a faithful movie to the story. I think it was one of the few book/movie successes.

Cheers


Sean

Goodfellas was good, and so was the the Godfather,-"pick a number Please", but I personally prefer "The Lavender Hill Mob".

Believe it or not I watched The Godfather for the first time this weekend. It is a very good movie and has so many good points to it. Then I saw The Godfather Part II and liked that one better than the first. I like how they showed Vito growing up and becoming "Don". Now allI have left is Part III. I cannot wait to watch that installment.

Once Upon a time in .... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087843/

I have allways liked Sergio Leone ...

Godfather 1 & 2. Although I do agree that Once Upon a Time in America is a real meisterwerke as well...

Once upon a time in America,for the music in first place,the acting in second place & the story in third place. It was was the first video I ever bought for my collection(anybody remember video-tapes?). Favorite sayings : Max to Noodles "Are you coming?". "noodles I slipped". " Shut up! shut the....(etc.)",then "get out ! get the.....(etc.)",unforgettable scenes.

For a more modern star-filled mob flick, try "The Departed". Great stuff!
cheers!

The Gangs of New York.

"Suddenly" 1954 with Frank Sinatra as the gang boss. A great albeit relatively unknown film with a good storyline and great cast and acting. Not quite a "mob" movie but I think it fits in the general premise. Not as epic as Godfather etc. but for B/W 1954, a cool little film.
Cheers,
Charles

"Suddenly" is a good one. However, I'd have to say my favorite is "The Untouchables"...historically incorrect? Yes. Fun movie to watch? Definitely!

I'd go with "THE UNTOUCHABLES" too.

My pick is Casino

I was really impressed with this film, same director as Goodfellas but completely different.

Anyhow thats my 2 cents


Jamie

The MOVIE with Bruce Willis was Billy Bathgate, I believe.