Mafioso

Has anybody seen this Italian film from 1962?

It aired on Turner Classic Movies a couple of times - I think the most recent airing was within the last month or so. I would almost call it the Anti-Godfather. A very different look at things from an Italian perspective; very far removed from the American gangster movie. The film starts out as a comedic tale, then veers off into serious drama with a rather unsettling (to me) ending. Alberto Sordi is excellent in the lead.

Filmed in black and white in Italy (with a little bit of location shooting in NYC), this is definitely a film I would recommend.

Anyone else out there want to share an opinion on Mafioso?

Signor V.

Welcome back, Signor V! Always great to hear from you!

I saw "Mafioso" on its first release in 1962, and was blown away by the uniquely Italian approach to the subject: an uproariously funny comedy, but with a somber, sinister--even tragic--subtheme. Only the Italians could bring off that combination (as in Wertmuller's "Pasqualino Settebellizze" some years later).

I never forgot the movie, and tried countless times to get a copy. When it was finally released on DVD last year, I was among the first to order it. It's held up very well. Still recommend it highly.

Thanks for the welcome - I figured that if anyone here had seen this little gem, it would be you, TB!

I taped the film when it had its first TCM airing close to a year ago. Then, I noticed they gave it had another showing quite recently, but due to the ongoing problems with my home computer, I couldn't post anything to the BB in time.

Though about 90% of Mafioso was shot in Italy, there was some location filming in NYC toward the end. It was a little strange seeing some parts of New York (not necessarily the "touristy" areas), in gritty black and white, that have long since vanished. I certainly remember those areas, or areas just like them. Brought back some memories, to be sure.

I've read that the DVD release of Mafioso features a nicely restored print; I'm quite certain that this was the same version shown on TCM. The network seems to have changed its Sunday late-night lineup, so I'm not sure if and when it will be shown again. But I'm pretty sure it will eventually get another airing.

Meanwhile, one can always purchase the DVD. (I think that the film's IMDb page has links to Amazon.com.)

But again, I recommend this film to those out there who want to see an excellent and different type of Mob-themed film.

Signor V.

I believe the barbershop scene was filmed in North Bergen NJ. TCM showed "Mafioso" for the first time as soon as the DVD was released, so I assume the version you taped and the DVD are one and the same.

After much searching, I found my tape of Mafioso and looked at the scenes in question.

Of course, you were right.

As a matter of fact, before the barbershop scene there is a quick shot of a street-sweeping truck and on its side the words "North Bergen" are clearly visible. It was obvious from the storyline that the characters were not in NYC anymore, but I cannot figure out why my brain blanked on that point. (Unless I was too busy reading the subtitles.)

Interesting trivia: All the Italian scenes were letterboxed, but the American segment was not - it was full-screen (at least, that's the way it appeared on my TV).

Actually, there are two possible explanations for my North Bergen brain-freeze:

1. Before the barbershop scene, there is a nice shot of an old, classic diner. For me, this would have been an instant distraction. (I wonder if it still exists, and if it does, what it looks like today?)

2. On one streetcorner, there is a place called Jay's Bar. At that point, I doubt I would have noticed anything else.

Signor V.

Hi there, sorry I'm obviously not from the same generations as you old-timers! I didn't even know there was a B&W version of "Mafioso". I saw the recent one (in color) and I remember liking it in the sense that it could never compare to "The Godfather", "Goodfellas", etc. BUT NEVERTHELESS I liked it.
But, yeah, as far as the B&W, that wouldn't keep my attention. I was born in 1984 so it took a lot for me to even pick up "The Godfather". Everybody has their own likes and dislikes. I just don't care for movies older than 1984 with the exception of "The Godfather" of course!

Aw Dude.

A Clockwork Orange, Little Ceaser, Chinatown, Taxi Driver, The Wanderers, The Warriors, Mean Streets, Psycho, Once Upon A Time In America, Once Upon A Time In The West, The Blackhand, Raging Bull, The first Star Wars Trilogy, The King of Comedy, Scarface was '83, BladeRunner, Raidrs of the Lost Ark, Mad Max, Apocalypse Now, Deliverance, The Exorcist, Jaws....

Okay, i could go on forever. Sorry to rant a bit, but there are just so, so many great movies. This reminds me of something that happened to me recently. On a quiet Sunday night, i had decided to spend it in the company of old friends the Corleone family. I was just about to sitback and play number one, ready for a few hours of awesomeness, when suddenly a couple of friends rocked round with their partners, wanting to hang out and shit. Anyway, i told them i was doing the Godfather, and was in the mood for it, and i was going to watch it: they were welcome to join me.

By the time we were in Sicily with Appolonia, i was losing it. These assholes obviously weren't into the movie, because by then they were all having fullblown discussions and conversations on everything but the Godfather. What annoyed me the most was not that they didnt like the movie, but that they couldn't admit they just didnt like it. They all claimed to love the Godfather, but it was pretty apparant they had never seen it and just werent interested. Why? Because instead of an effects-driven summer blockbuster of recent years, it was an old movie that relied on great direction, storylines and old fashioned incredible acting.

Nobody wants to admit they dont like the Godfather, because you cant not like the Godfather and still have an opinion worth listening to. Ive noticed the same with Taxi-Driver, Raging Bull and heaps of other classics. Most people just cant get into old movies for that simple fact: their old.

Anyway, i kicked those assholes out and lost myself in numbers 1, 2 and 3.

No doubt about that. Leave them to their computer-driven animation.


You came out ahead there!

Heh. You know it.

I still cannot find anything on the Black & White Mafioso ... shit, the one I saw from somewhere 90s to early 21st century was Not That Famous. How much worse could it get? OH YEAH, Not being able to find it AT ALL! ;-)

I really liked The Godfather because of its direct relation to the ole country and my heritage in Italy, unlike many others like Goodfellas which mostly focuses on NYC / America etc.