Top 10 Crime Films on Criminal Traditions

Description: While primarily a police procedural, "The French Connection" also showcases the criminal traditions of drug trafficking, with its portrayal of the French heroin trade and the underworld's operational codes.

Fact: The famous car chase scene was filmed without permits, leading to real-life chaos on the streets of New York.

Description: A cornerstone of crime cinema, "The Godfather" explores the inner workings of the Corleone family, a powerful Italian-American Mafia clan. This film delves into themes of family loyalty, the code of silence (omertà), and the succession of power, making it a quintessential study of criminal traditions.

Fact: The film was initially offered to several directors who turned it down, including Sergio Leone. Marlon Brando improvised the famous cat scene, using a stray cat found on the set.

Description: This film, starring Robert Mitchum, delves into the world of the Japanese Yakuza, exploring their codes of honor, loyalty, and the concept of giri (duty). It's a rare Western look at Eastern criminal traditions.

Fact: The film was co-written by Paul Schrader, who would later write "Taxi Driver."

Description: Sergio Leone's epic saga spans decades, telling the story of Jewish gangsters in New York. The film explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the passage of time, all while adhering to the unwritten laws of the criminal world.

Fact: The film was originally over 6 hours long, but was cut down to 229 minutes for its theatrical release. It was re-edited several times, with different versions released worldwide.

Description: Martin Scorsese's masterpiece captures the rise and fall of Henry Hill, a small-time hoodlum who becomes part of the mob. The film showcases the allure and the harsh reality of the mafia lifestyle, highlighting the importance of loyalty and the consequences of betrayal.

Fact: The film was based on the book "Wiseguy" by Nicholas Pileggi, who also co-wrote the screenplay. The famous "Layla" scene was filmed in one continuous shot.

Description: Robert De Niro's directorial debut, "A Bronx Tale," examines the life of a young Italian-American boy torn between his father's honest work and the allure of the local mobster. It's a poignant look at the moral choices and the traditions that shape one's path in life.

Fact: De Niro was so impressed by Chazz Palminteri's one-man show that he insisted on directing the film adaptation with Palminteri starring in it.

Description: Set in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, this Brazilian film examines the rise of drug lords and the criminal traditions that govern the favelas. It's a raw depiction of how crime becomes a way of life.

Fact: Most of the cast were non-professional actors from the favelas, giving the film an authentic edge.

Description: Martin Scorsese's adaptation of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs" brings the story of moles in the police and the Irish mob to Boston. The film highlights the criminal traditions of loyalty, secrecy, and the thin line between right and wrong.

Fact: The film was originally set in New York, but Scorsese changed the setting to Boston to avoid comparisons with his previous films.

Description: David Cronenberg's film delves into the Russian mafia in London, focusing on the Vory v Zakone (Thieves-in-Law), a criminal brotherhood with strict codes. It's a chilling look at the intersection of crime, tradition, and personal honor.

Fact: Viggo Mortensen learned Russian for the role and got a tattoo of the star of David to show his character's Jewish heritage, which was later removed.

Description: Based on the book by Roberto Saviano, "Gomorrah" provides an unflinching look at the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia. It explores the daily life, codes, and the brutal enforcement of criminal traditions in Italy's criminal underworld.

Fact: The film was shot in real locations, often without permits, to capture the authentic atmosphere of Naples' criminal landscape.