Crime Films: Generational Gangs

Description: This iconic film explores the Corleone family, a powerful Italian-American mafia dynasty, and the transition of power from Vito to his son Michael. It's a masterclass in storytelling about family, loyalty, and the criminal underworld.

Fact: The film was initially offered to several directors who turned it down, including Sergio Leone and Peter Bogdanovich. It was also the first sequel to win the Best Picture Oscar.

Description: Sergio Leone's epic crime saga spans several decades, focusing on the lives of Jewish gangsters in New York, highlighting the generational shifts in power and loyalty.

Fact: The film was originally released in a heavily edited version in the U.S., but the director's cut, which runs over four hours, is now considered the definitive version.

Description: Martin Scorsese's masterpiece follows Henry Hill, a half-Irish, half-Sicilian mobster, and his rise through the ranks of the Lucchese crime family, showcasing the generational aspect of organized crime.

Fact: The film was based on the book "Wiseguy" by Nicholas Pileggi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scorsese. The famous "Copacabana" tracking shot took three takes to get right.

Description: Guy Ritchie's fast-paced crime comedy involves multiple intersecting plots, including a diamond heist and bare-knuckle boxing, with characters from different generations of the criminal underworld.

Fact: Brad Pitt's character, Mickey O'Neil, was originally written for Jason Statham, but Pitt took the role after being impressed by Ritchie's previous film, "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels."

Description: This film delves into the complex relationships between the Irish mob in Boston and the police, with characters from both sides infiltrating each other's ranks, showcasing the generational ties within the criminal world.

Fact: It was Martin Scorsese's first Best Director Oscar win, and the film also won Best Picture.

Description: David Cronenberg's film explores the Russian mafia in London, focusing on the generational power struggles and the brutal traditions passed down through the ranks.

Fact: The film features a famous nude fight scene that was choreographed by a former KGB agent.

Description: Ben Affleck's film about a group of bank robbers in Charlestown, Boston, where crime is almost a family tradition, passed down through generations.

Fact: Affleck, who also directed, did extensive research, including spending time with real-life bank robbers.

Description: This film, directed by and starring Robert De Niro, tells the story of a young Italian-American boy torn between his honest father and a charismatic local mobster, illustrating the generational pull of crime.

Fact: The film was based on Chazz Palminteri's one-man play of the same name, which he performed for years before it was adapted into a movie.

Description: An unflinching look at the Camorra crime syndicate in Naples, Italy, showing how crime is ingrained in the fabric of society and passed down through generations.

Fact: The film was inspired by Roberto Saviano's book of the same name, which led to him living under police protection due to threats from the Camorra.

Description: Martin Scorsese's latest epic crime film spans several decades, focusing on the life of Frank Sheeran, a hitman, and his connections with the Bufalino crime family, showcasing the generational aspect of organized crime.

Fact: The film uses de-aging technology to portray younger versions of the characters, a process that took years to perfect.