Top 10 Crime Films on Criminal Traditions

Description: A classic gangster film that set the template for many to follow, it explores the rise and fall of a bootlegger, highlighting the traditions of the Prohibition era's criminal world.

Fact: James Cagney's famous grapefruit scene was improvised. The film was one of the first to use the term "public enemy" in its modern context.

Description: This iconic film delves into the inner workings of the Corleone family, showcasing the traditions and codes that govern the mafia world. It's a masterclass in storytelling about family, loyalty, and the price of power.

Fact: Marlon Brando improvised the famous line "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." The film was initially rated X by the MPAA for its violence.

Description: This film provides an in-depth look at the traditions of the Japanese Yakuza, focusing on the concepts of honour, duty, and the complex relationships within the criminal underworld.

Fact: Robert Mitchum and Ken Takakura, who had never met before, developed a genuine friendship during the filming. The film was one of the first to portray the Yakuza to a Western audience.

Description: This British crime film showcases the traditions of the London underworld, with a focus on the changing landscape of crime and the clash between old and new criminal elements.

Fact: The film was initially banned by the BBC for its portrayal of IRA involvement in crime. Bob Hoskins improvised much of his dialogue.

Description: Sergio Leone's epic spans decades, showing the evolution of criminal traditions from the Prohibition era to the 1960s, with a focus on friendship, betrayal, and the American Dream gone awry.

Fact: The film was originally over 6 hours long, but was drastically cut for its theatrical release. It was restored to its full length in

Description: Martin Scorsese's masterpiece captures the allure and the downfall of the mafia lifestyle, highlighting the traditions of loyalty, betrayal, and the code of silence.

Fact: The film's title was changed from "Wiseguy" to avoid confusion with the TV series of the same name. Ray Liotta's mother was so moved by the film that she didn't speak to him for two weeks.

Description: This film explores the deep-seated traditions of loyalty and betrayal within the Boston Irish mob, with a twist of undercover operations that blur the lines between cop and criminal.

Fact: The film was originally set in Hong Kong, based on the movie "Infernal Affairs." Jack Nicholson improvised many of his lines, including the famous "I'm the guy who does his job."

Description: David Cronenberg's film dives into the dark traditions of the Russian mafia, exploring themes of loyalty, family, and the brutal enforcement of criminal codes.

Fact: Viggo Mortensen learned to speak Russian for his role, and his tattoos were authentic to the Russian prison system. The film was shot in London to represent Moscow.

Description: Robert De Niro's directorial debut examines the clash between the traditional values of family and the allure of the street life, as a young boy is torn between his father and a local mobster.

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 insisted on him playing the role of Sonny.

Description: Based on a book by Roberto Saviano, this film offers a gritty, realistic portrayal of the Camorra crime syndicate in Naples, focusing on the traditions that govern their operations.

Fact: The film was shot in real locations used by the Camorra, with some actors being former criminals. It won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.