I saw that on the newspaper today. british viewers made this list:

1 - Vito Corleone - played by Marlon Brando in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather (1972)

2 - Vito Corleone - played by Robert De Niro in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather Part II (1974)

3 - Henry Hill - played by Ray Liotta in Martin Scorsese's GoodFellas (1990)

4 - Al Capone - played by Robert De Niro in Brian De Palma's The Untouchables (1987)

5 - William "Rocky" Sullivan - played by James Cagney in Michael Curtiz's Angels With Dirty Faces (1938)

6 - Tony Montana - played by Al Pacino in Brian De Palma's Scarface (1983)

7 - Big Chris - played by Vinnie Jones in Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

8 - Harold Shand - played by Bob Hoskins in John Mackenzie's The Long Good Friday (1980)

9 - Don Logan - played by Ben Kingsley in Jonathan Glazer's Sexy Beast (2000)

10 - Sam "Ace" Rothstein - played by Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese's Casino (1995)

yes, no Michael Corleone at all anyway I liked that, what you think?

I'll probably be lambasted for this, but I think Deniro was seriously miscast as Al Capone in the Untouchables. I just didn't like him as Capone, I'm not really sure why because I usually like in him anything. Oh well.

It's good to see Vinnie Jones on the list, that guy makes a fantastic English-type gangter. Anyone know when Guy Richie plans on making a new crime movie? His first to were super badass.

As Ritchie's attempt at a non-gangster flick, Swept Away (starring Madonna) was a bit of a disaster, it wouldn't surprise me if he returned to gangster films soon. In the meantime, check out Layer Cake, from the makers of Snatch (whatever that means these days).

I like the list. Glad to see Don Logan and Harold Shand on there. Big Chris might be pushing it. Hatchet Harry from Lock Stock or Brick Top from Snatch was better.

Mick

I'm glad to see Cagney made the list, but as good as his role in "Angels With Dirty Faces" was, his portrayal of Cody Jarrett in "White Heat" was even better.

I can't comment on numbers 7-9 because I've never seen them, but I agree that DeNiro's portrayal of Capone doesn't belong on the list (Rod Steiger's portrayal of Big Al was much better).

Don't like Henry Hill up there. The guy turned on his friends and he is played up as some kind of hero. To me he is a disgrace.

Oh yeah.....Al Capone and Tony Montana are real role models. :rolleyes:

but at least they were men of thier words. I don't like the fact that he sold out his friends.

He wanted to live the "mafia life" only when it was good for him. once things turned rough he gave in. That I don't like.

joe pesci should be in the list for his role in casino/goodfallas

That top ten movie mobsters list leaves a lot to be desired.


Pacino as Michael in GFII should definately be up there.

I agree with SC that James Cagney should have been listed for White Heat over Angels With Dirty Faces. While he is great in Angels he is a much better "gangster" in White Heat.

While I really liked Ray Liotta as Henry Hill, I can think of several other actors who've played Gangsters that should have been listed over Liotta.

Humphrey Bogart in "Dead End" was just outstanding! I don't recall the actual character's name, but a great part and a convincing gangster in that movie.


Don Cardi

"Baby Face" Martin.

To all the younger folk -
If you want to see a classic, watch "Dead End"!! Besides Bogey's great portrayal, you'll enjoy Sylvia Sidney and the early "Dead End" kids (later known as "The Bowery Boys"). The movie is really dated, but its a goody!!

Things got rough? Being killed seems to need a more extreme word other then "rough." :rolleyes:

And his "friends" were going to kill him. That isn't a friend. Just like Scorsese said, "Imagine looking at a picture saying, Oh look, there's Uncle Joe, well he killed everyone in this picture."

Don't see how this list has any credibility when Henry Hill and Sam Rothstein are in the top 10 but there's no MICHAEL CORLEONE. That just makes no sense.

"Baby Face" Martin.

To all the younger folk -
If you want to see a classic, watch "Dead End"!! Besides Bogey's great portrayal, you'll enjoy Sylvia Sidney and the early "Dead End" kids (later known as "The Bowery Boys"). The movie is really dated, but its a goody!! [/b][/quote]And might I add, the Dead End Kids were Baaaad kids in this movie!


Don Cardi

Things got rough? Being killed seems to need a more extreme word other then "rough." :rolleyes:

And his "friends" were going to kill him. That isn't a friend. Just like Scorsese said, "Imagine looking at a picture saying, Oh look, there's Uncle Joe, well he killed everyone in this picture." [/b][/quote]Look, I think that we all agree and understand that the bottom line is that all these guys are killers, thieves and murderers. But speaking in the parameters of "the syndicate " I say that if you are involved, and you get caught, you don't rat. If there is a contract out on you, you don't rat! This is the life that you have chosen and you better be ready to do the time like a man if you are caught, or pay the price for the life you live. You just don't go and take others down with you with respects to ratting on them. John Gotti, in his world, was a man's man! Took the rap, did the time, never bitched and cried. His underling however squealed like a pig when the pressure was out on him. If I am living in "the life" I just don't agree with that! I get caught, that's it, I do my time. If someone is gonna look to take me out, that's it, I fight to the death. But you NEVER rat!


Don Cardi

SC, as a knowledgable film buff, I highly recommend The Long Good Friday to you. Sexy Beast is worth a look too (it's in my Top 100! ), and Lock Stock will pass an hour and a half by very nicely.

Mick

Speaking of..... look at what is being released (on DVD) next Tuesday (just in time for Halloween).

I'll check it out, Mick. Thanks.

Jesus, when I read that, it sounds terribly pretentious of me. What I meant to say, was as you are a knowledgable film buff...I'm not one to blow my own whistle! :p

Mick

^^^^ I just caught that. LMAO!

You're right about LGF capo, it's a gritty brit gangster movie with some excellent performances from Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren (and that bloke from Casualty!).

Sexy Beast has a completely off the wall turn from Kingsley that was totally unexpected by me ("YES YES YES YES!").

As Capo says check out Layer Cake

Also worth taking a look at is Gangster No. 1

Thanks, Mick, but I've learned quite a bit from you.

BTW - I just bought a book you'd love - "The Overlook Film Encyclopedia - The Gangster Film" edited by Phil Hardy.

Its a tremendous wealth of information on the gangster genre, and has films listed (by year) from all over the world. Its over 500 pages, and gives a short synopsis and cast/crew info for each film. I've never heard of half the movies listed there. The British films you suggested are all listed, and I'm gonna try to get ahold of them.

I bought it on EBay....if you have the scratch (about $30 U.S.) and can find a copy I'd recommend you getting it!