Criminal Codes in Cinema: A Curated Collection

Description: This iconic film delves into the life of Vito Corleone, a powerful and respected figure in the American mafia, showcasing the intricate code of loyalty, family, and revenge that defines the underworld.

Fact: The film was initially turned down by many studios due to its controversial subject matter. Marlon Brando improvised the famous cat scene, using a stray cat found on the studio lot.

Description: Michael Mann's directorial debut features James Caan as a professional safecracker who lives by a strict code, navigating the criminal underworld with precision and honor.

Fact: The film's opening sequence, a montage of safecracking, was inspired by Mann's own experiences as a night watchman. The film's score was composed by Tangerine Dream.

Description: Sergio Leone's epic spans decades, showing the rise and fall of Jewish gangsters in New York, with a focus on their unbreakable code of brotherhood and loyalty.

Fact: The film was initially released in a heavily edited version, but the director's cut restored Leone's original vision. Robert De Niro and James Woods had a real-life feud during filming.

Description: Martin Scorsese's masterpiece follows Henry Hill, a young man who rises through the ranks of the mob, highlighting the strict codes of conduct and the consequences of breaking them.

Fact: The film's famous "Copacabana" tracking shot was meticulously planned and took several takes to perfect. Ray Liotta's mother was cast as his on-screen mother.

Description: Robert De Niro's directorial debut examines the life of a young boy torn between his father's honest values and the allure of the local mob boss, illustrating the conflicting codes of the street.

Fact: The film is based on a one-man show by Chazz Palminteri, who also stars in the movie. De Niro was so impressed by Palminteri's performance that he bought the rights to the show.

Description: This heist film showcases a group of thieves who adhere to a code of honor while pulling off a gold heist in Venice, emphasizing teamwork and loyalty.

Fact: The film was a remake of the 1969 British film of the same name. The iconic Mini Cooper chase scene was filmed in real traffic in Los Angeles.

Description: This Scorsese film, set in Boston, explores the intricate web of loyalty, betrayal, and the criminal code within the Irish mob, with undercover cops and moles playing a deadly game.

Fact: The film was a remake of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs." Jack Nicholson improvised much of his dialogue, adding to the film's raw energy.

Description: This David Cronenberg film explores the Russian mafia's code of silence and loyalty, with Viggo Mortensen delivering a chilling performance as a hitman bound by the criminal code.

Fact: Viggo Mortensen learned Russian for the role and even got a real tattoo to match his character's. The film was shot in London, which doubled for Moscow.

Description: Ben Affleck directs and stars in this tale of bank robbers in Charlestown, Boston, where the code of silence and loyalty among thieves is tested by love and law enforcement.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Charlestown, with real-life locals as extras. Affleck's character's mother was played by his real-life mother, Chris Anne Boldt.

Description: Tom Hardy stars as a bartender caught in the criminal underworld of Brooklyn, where the code of the street dictates every move, and loyalty is everything.

Fact: The film was based on a short story by Dennis Lehane, who also wrote the screenplay. It was one of James Gandolfini's final roles before his death.