Top 10 Thriller Films About Racket

Description: One of the earliest gangster films, it follows the life of Tom Powers, who becomes involved in bootlegging and racketeering during Prohibition. Its depiction of crime and violence was groundbreaking for its time.

Fact: James Cagney improvised the famous grapefruit scene, which became one of the most iconic moments in film history.

Description: This iconic film explores the inner workings of the Corleone family, a powerful mafia clan involved in various illegal activities, including racketeering. The film's portrayal of family loyalty, power struggles, and the business of crime makes it a quintessential entry in this list.

Fact: The film was initially offered to several directors who turned it down, including Sergio Leone and Peter Bogdanovich. Marlon Brando improvised the famous "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse" line.

Description: Sergio Leone's epic spans several decades and follows the rise and fall of a Jewish gangster in New York, with racketeering being one of the many criminal enterprises depicted.

Fact: The film was initially released in a heavily edited version in the U.S., but the director's cut restored much of the original content.

Description: While primarily about the fight against Al Capone, the film also touches on his extensive racketeering operations. It's a thrilling portrayal of law enforcement's battle against organized crime.

Fact: The film's famous "Union Station" shootout was inspired by the Odessa Steps sequence in Sergei Eisenstein's "Battleship Potemkin."

Description: Martin Scorsese's masterpiece follows the life of Henry Hill, a small-time gangster who rises through the ranks of the mob, engaging in various criminal activities, including racketeering. The film's intense narrative and real-life basis make it a compelling watch.

Fact: The film was shot in chronological order to help the actors age naturally with their characters. Ray Liotta's mother made a cameo as a woman in a pink dress at the Copacabana.

Description: This Coen Brothers film explores the complex relationships between rival gangs and their involvement in racketeering during the Prohibition era. Its intricate plot and dialogue make it a standout in the genre.

Fact: The film was inspired by Dashiell Hammett's novels, particularly "Red Harvest" and "The Glass Key."

Description: Another Scorsese classic, "Casino" focuses on the mafia's control over Las Vegas casinos, where racketeering is a central theme. The film showcases the rise and fall of Sam "Ace" Rothstein, a mob-connected casino manager.

Fact: The film was shot in the Riviera Hotel and Casino, which was later demolished in

Description: This film, set in Boston, involves an undercover cop infiltrating an Irish mob involved in various criminal activities, including racketeering. The tension between the characters and the cat-and-mouse game they play is gripping.

Fact: The film was a remake of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs." It was Martin Scorsese's first Oscar win for Best Director.

Description: This film delves into the Russian mafia's operations in London, including their involvement in racketeering. The story revolves around a midwife who uncovers a diary that leads her into the dangerous world of organized crime.

Fact: Viggo Mortensen learned to speak Russian for his role and improvised the famous bathhouse fight scene.

Description: Robert De Niro's directorial debut, this film explores the life of a young Italian-American torn between his father's honest work and the allure of the local mob boss who engages in racketeering.

Fact: The film is based on Chazz Palminteri's one-man play of the same name, which he performed over 300 times before it was adapted into a movie.