"Weird Mafia Myths Popularized by the Godfather and Media" Topic

"Few movies have more successfully romanticized something horrid than The Godfather did in the mafia. It portrayed Mafiosi in such a positive light that real life imitated art, and mobsters often aped the film in the real world. In reality, the mafia was nothing like The Godfather. Mobsters didn't avoid drugs, but were major traffickers since the birth of the mob. They were more than willing to betray both bosses and underlings, and the vaunted code of silence, omerta, was usually more aspirational than real. Below are thirty things about those and other real-life mafia facts.

The Godfather is one of the best movies of all time. With one of Hollywood's greatest ensemble casts, memorable haunting music, and a gripping plot, it is hard not to love it. However, admiration for the film has blinded many to the fact that it is not real. What it depicts is fiction created by author Mario Puzo, and brilliantly brought to the silver screen by director Francis Ford Coppola. It is an imagined version of organized crime, not an accurate depiction of the real thing. In the real world, the mafia has always been a collection of often psychotic, parasitic, backstabbing, and grubby thugs who would do anything for money…"

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Armand

WOW!

While I could quibble about a few points, I certainly agree with the premise.

If you want to see something much closer to the reality, you need only turn to Scorsese's "Good Fellas" and "Casino."

Not nearly so romantic as both of Coppola's masterpieces, but a helluva lot of versimilitude.

TVAG

Thanks for posting this, Armand. I found the article to be interesting. I had known that Prohibition created modern organized crime, but found it fascinating as to how Prohibition came about (as close to half of the article is about Prohibition and preProhibition alcoholism in America).

A votre service mes amis…

Armand

Another one of those movies that everyone has seen but me.

79thPA + 1

Armand