Top 10 Crime Films About Rivalry

Description: One of the earliest gangster films, it follows the life of Tom Powers, a small-time crook who rises through the ranks of organized crime, facing off against rival gangs.

Fact: James Cagney's iconic grapefruit scene was not in the original script; it was an improvisation during filming.

Description: This iconic film explores the inner workings of the Corleone family, a powerful and respected Italian-American Mafia clan. The rivalry between Vito Corleone and his rivals, as well as the internal family dynamics, make this a quintessential crime film about power struggles.

Fact: Marlon Brando, who played Vito Corleone, famously stuffed his cheeks with cotton to achieve the character's distinctive look. Also, the film was initially rated X by the MPAA due to its graphic violence.

Description: Tony Montana's ruthless climb to the top of the Miami drug trade is fraught with rivalries, both within his own organization and with competing cartels.

Fact: Al Pacino's character was inspired by real-life figures like Al Capone and Tony Camonte from the original 1932 film.

Description: Set during the Prohibition era, this film showcases the intense rivalry between Eliot Ness and Al Capone, with Ness assembling a team to bring down Capone's empire.

Fact: The screenplay was inspired by the real-life memoirs of Eliot Ness, but many events were dramatized for cinematic effect.

Description: This film chronicles the rise and fall of Henry Hill, a small-time gangster, and his interactions with the Lucchese crime family. The rivalry among the mobsters for power and respect is central to the narrative.

Fact: The famous "Funny how?" scene was based on a real-life incident involving Joe Pesci, who improvised much of the dialogue.

Description: This film explores the rivalry between a young Italian-American boy torn between his father's honest life and the allure of the local mobster, Sonny.

Fact: Robert De Niro made his directorial debut with this film, which was based on a one-man show by Chazz Palminteri.

Description: Michael Mann's masterpiece pits a meticulous bank robber, Neil McCauley, against an equally determined LAPD detective, Vincent Hanna. Their cat-and-mouse game is a study in professional rivalry and personal obsession.

Fact: The famous diner scene between De Niro and Pacino was improvised, and it was the first time these two acting legends shared a scene together.

Description: An FBI agent infiltrates the Bonanno crime family, leading to a complex relationship with his mentor, Lefty Ruggiero, and a dangerous rivalry with other mob members.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of Joseph D. Pistone, an FBI agent who went undercover for six years.

Description: In this modern take on the classic "Infernal Affairs," a young cop infiltrates the Irish mob, while a mole within the police department rises through the ranks. The film is a tense exploration of loyalty and betrayal.

Fact: Martin Scorsese won his first Best Director Oscar for this film, and it also won Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Description: A group of bank robbers from Charlestown, Boston, face off against the FBI, with internal rivalries and personal relationships complicating their heists.

Fact: Ben Affleck, who also directed, based the film on the novel "Prince of Thieves" by Chuck Hogan, and shot many scenes in the actual neighborhood of Charlestown.