Thrilling Action Films About Illegal Business

Description: This iconic film explores the inner workings of the Corleone family, a powerful Italian-American mafia clan, as they navigate the treacherous waters of illegal business, family loyalty, and power struggles.

Fact: The film was initially offered to Sergio Leone, who turned it down because he felt that a true Italian-American should direct it. Also, Marlon Brando improvised the famous cat scene, picking up a stray cat from the studio lot.

Description: Tony Montana's rise from a Cuban refugee to a Miami drug lord is a brutal tale of ambition, excess, and the American Dream gone awry, showcasing the gritty reality of the drug trade.

Fact: Al Pacino's character, Tony Montana, was inspired by real-life figures like Al Capone and Tony "The Ant" Spilotro. The film's famous "Say hello to my little friend" line was improvised by Pacino.

Description: Set in the world of Las Vegas casinos, this film examines the rise and fall of Sam "Ace" Rothstein, a gambling expert who runs a casino for the mob, showcasing the intertwining of legal and illegal business.

Fact: The film was based on the real-life story of Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, a professional sports bettor and former Las Vegas casino executive.

Description: This film pits a seasoned detective against a meticulous thief in a cat-and-mouse game set against the backdrop of Los Angeles' criminal underworld, highlighting the personal and professional stakes of illegal activities.

Fact: The famous diner scene where characters discuss their personal lives was shot in one take, and the coffee shop was recreated in a studio for this purpose.

Description: Guy Ritchie's fast-paced, darkly comedic look at the world of diamond smuggling, illegal boxing, and organized crime, where every character has a stake in the game.

Fact: Brad Pitt, who played the unbeatable bare-knuckle boxer, learned to speak in a Pikey accent for the role, which was so convincing that many thought he was actually from that background.

Description: This film chronicles the life of George Jung, one of the biggest cocaine smugglers in the U.S., offering a personal perspective on the drug trade and its consequences.

Fact: Johnny Depp, who played Jung, actually met with him to prepare for the role, and Jung was impressed by Depp's portrayal.

Description: A tale of moles, double-crosses, and the murky waters of Boston's organized crime scene, where both sides of the law are infiltrated, making for a tense and thrilling narrative.

Fact: The film is a remake of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs." Martin Scorsese won his first Best Director Oscar for this movie.

Description: Frank Lucas, a real-life drug kingpin, builds an empire by smuggling heroin into the U.S. inside the coffins of American soldiers, offering a gritty look at the drug trade in the 1970s.

Fact: Denzel Washington, who played Lucas, met with the real Frank Lucas for research, and Lucas was impressed by Washington's portrayal.

Description: A group of bank robbers from Charlestown, Boston, navigate the dangerous waters of their criminal activities while trying to escape their past, offering a gritty portrayal of local crime.

Fact: The film was based on the novel "Prince of Thieves" by Chuck Hogan, and Ben Affleck, who directed and starred, grew up in the area where the film is set, adding authenticity to the portrayal.

Description: While not strictly about illegal business, this film delves into the world of stock market manipulation, fraud, and excess, showing how the line between legal and illegal can blur in the pursuit of wealth.

Fact: The film is based on the memoir by Jordan Belfort, who was convicted of fraud and served time in prison.