MovieChat Forums > The Valachi Papers (1972) Discussion > The Best Story-Telling

The Best Story-Telling

posted 15 years ago by kfcdou88
5 replies | jump to latest

This movie hasn't the fines and the style of "The Godfather" and it's a poor and sloppy production compared to other gangster movies like "Once Upon A Time In America".There is however an element that makes it an amazing movie:Terence Young does great job with the story telling.The story is gripping, exciting and powerful.This is possibly the most solidly-crafted gangster movie.There is not even a second of the movie that isn't interesting.I've seen so many mafia classics but none of them goes as deep, in the structure, the way of life and the acts of "Cosa Nostra", as "The Valachi Papers".It's a really worth-watching gangster-flick.I give it 8/10

-You brought two too many

[–] Prismark10 14 years ago

Good straightforward story telling but overshadowed by the Godfather.

Its that man again!!

[–] PussyCrusher_Principal 11 years ago

No argument about the Godfather comparisons, and surely it has always suffered in respect to the subject matter and time it was released, but TVP, in that it is a true story based on real people, will laws have a tremendous amount of value. It's a great book, and the fact this low level mobster was there AT THE BEGINNING, and saw how it all got formed. Masseria, Maranzano, the formation of the Five Families - gripping stuff! It's been a while since I read the book or saw the movie, but if I'm not mistaken, isn't the family Valachi is in (Genovese)...wasn't that originally Lucky Luciano's family? And the Gambino family was Albert Anastasia's (don't remember if anyone had the name before him). But even if my facts are wrong, my point is, this is the guy who made all this public knowledge (bad for LCN, good for us who are fascinated by this way of life!)

"It is hard to be a man of peace. It would be so pleasant to kill Mr. Weddle." - Massai, 'Apache'

[–] g32656-1 11 years ago

Not much of the movie was true. They mixed people from different families(Anastasia). Changed names of people that were still alive (Bonnano).
Made up characters (Buster from Chicago, also in the book).

I hate when they do this. The true story is always better but they think they can make it better and always fail.

[–] activista 11 years ago

Nah--I'm sure the main reason that was done (like in most movies) was because the filmmakers didn't want to get sued,that's all.

[–] Jones70 (6887) 4 years ago

I agree I liked this a lot.