AFI Names Top Ten Gangster Films of All Time
American Film Institute Rates The Godfather Number One
Jul 25, 2008
The American Film Institute has selected the Top 100 Films of all Time, AFI categorized the top 100 films into ten lists of ten films each. The Ten Top Gangster Films of all time record stories of the mob and gangland life in America. The Top Ten Gangster Film List includes: The Godfather 1972, Goodfellas, The Godfather Part II, White Heat, Bonnie and Clyde, Scarface: the Shame of the Nation, Pulp Fiction, The Public Enemy, Little Caesar and Scarface.
The American Film Institute defines "gangster film" as a genre that centers on organized crime of maverick criminals in a twentieth century setting.
Gangster movies explore the violence and criminal activities of the mob and criminals. These gangster movies were predecessors to the runaway success story of the HBO Series "The Sopranos." Not for the faint of heart, these movies combine compelling story-lines along with gun violence, murder, thievery and cruelty.
The oldest film on the top ten list is Little Caesar, starring Edward G. Robinson, made in 1931. The most recent film on the list is Pulp Fiction, starring John Travolta.
Al Pacino starred in three of the top ten, including: The Godfather, 1972; The Godfather Part II and Scarface. Robert Duvall starred in two of the top ten, including: The Godfather 1972 and The Godfather Part II. Robert De Niro was also in two of the top ten, starring in Goodfellas and The Godfather Part II. James Cagney was also on the list twice, for White Heat and The Public Enemy.
- The Godfather 1972 The first film of the Godfather trilogy is considered the best. Marlon Brando is an aging mafia don, the patriarch of an organized crime dynasty. Don Corleone passes the reins of the family business over to his son, who just wants to lead a normal life. Gradually Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, is drawn into a violent mob war. The Godfather won three Oscars. Stars: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton. Based on the book, Mario Puzo's The Godfather. Director Francis Ford Coppola. 1972.
- Goodfellas. This crime drama explores the lives of blue collar gangsters. Henry Hill is a small time gangster who climbs up through the hierarchy of the New York mob. Goodfellas won one Oscar. Stars: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino and Frank Sivero. Director, Martin Scorsese. 1990.
- The Godfather Part II, The second movie of The Godfather Trilogy explores the early life and career of Vito Corleone, which took place in 1920's New York. Michael Corleone is firmly in charge of the family business. Michael expands his grip on the crime syndicate from Lake Tahoe to Cuba is the 1958 pre Revolution days. Won six Oscars. Stars: Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro. Director Francis Ford Coppola. 1974
- White Heat. James Cagney is Arthur 'Cody' Jarrett, a violent gangster with an Oedipus complex. Stars: James Cagney, Virginia Mayo, Edmond "Brien. 1949
- Bonnie and Clyde. Romanticized version of the story of real life gangsters, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. Bonnie and Clyde were notorious bank robbers in the 1920's. Won one Oscar. Stars: Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Pollard and Gene Hackman. Director Arthur Penn. 1967
- Scarface: the Shame of the Nation. Moved based on real life gangster Al Capone. Stars Paul Muni and Ann Dvorak. Directors: Howard Hawks and Richard Rosson. 1932
- Pulp Fiction. Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield are mob hitmen hunting for a briefcase. Stars: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Roth and Amanda Plummer. Director, Quentin Tarantino. 1994
- The Public Enemy. A young hood rises through the ranks of the Chicago crime family. Stars: James Cagney and Jean Harlow. Director William A. Wellman. 1931
- Little Caesar. Stars Edward G. Robinson and Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Director Mervyn LeRoy. 1931
- Scarface. Violent story of Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who rules a drug empire in 1980 Miami. Stars Al Pacino, Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Directors Brian De Palma. 1983
Resources: American Film Institute and IMDb
Gangster John Dillinger Public Enemy Number One
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