Bonanno: A Godfather's Story
- TV Movie
- 1999
- 2h 50m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
The true life story of mafia boss Joseph Bonanno. The story spans from Bonanno's early beginnings in Italy, to his conquests in America.The true life story of mafia boss Joseph Bonanno. The story spans from Bonanno's early beginnings in Italy, to his conquests in America.The true life story of mafia boss Joseph Bonanno. The story spans from Bonanno's early beginnings in Italy, to his conquests in America.
- Awards
- 1 win & 6 nominations
Domenico Fiore
- Gaspar DiGregario (Older)
- (as Dom Fiore)
Anthonino Maltazza
- Italian Naval Cadet
- (as Antonio Maltese)
Vince Corazza
- Charlie 'Lucky' Luciano
- (as Vincent Corazza)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis 1999 Lifetime made-for-television movie is based on the real-life events of famous Italian-born American mafioso Joseph Charles Bonanno, Sr. (born 18 Jan 1905), who became the boss of the Bonanno crime family.
- GoofsIn a scene where Bonanno is reading a newspaper announcing Germany and Italy's declaration of war on the US (December 11, 1941), the back page of the paper announces the results of a Brooklyn Dodgers double-header, and the Yankees, Indians and Tigers wins. The baseball season in 1941 ended on October 6th at Ebbets Field, in the very first "Subway Series", when the Yanks beat the Dodgers 4 games to 1.
- Quotes
Charlie 'Lucky' Luciano: You can't make money with a gun in your hand.
Featured review
By golly, if you watch this movie, you will end up thinking Joseph Bonanno was the most moral and fairest of men, who spent his Mafia days talking others out of killing. No joke. Now, here at IMDB, I see why. This writing credits for this film go to Joseph Bonanno and his son Bill Bonanno.
Toni Nardi, who plays Joseph Bonanno, from ages 35-61, is as likable as can be. (I think he also narrates it, but am not sure.) Why Martin Landau got top billing is beyond me. He plays Mr. Bonanno in his 90s, has few scenes and no lines! Why didn't they just make Mr. Nardi look much older? I'm sure a make-up person could have easily done so. Moreover, why is Toni Nardi not even pictured on the movie poster? He carried the whole film!
Mr. Nardi is a perfect Mafia boss for those who wish to believe Mafia godfathers are great family men, out to help others succeed in life; certainly not the criminals law enforcement agencies want everyone to believe. In the beginning of the movie, his wife is shown, as is his daughter. His wife is an intelligent, interesting person.
After son Bill becomes an adult and part of the Mafia, however, his mother and sister are no longer seen in the movie. Why did they become non-existent characters? They didn't die in real life! Is this suppose to be strictly a guy movie? It does have some very violent scenes, which I fast-forwarded through.
Finally, one highly interesting part of the film concerned the assasination of JFK. According to this story, JFK was killed by the Mafia. Lee Harvey Oswald was nothing but a patsy, and Jack Ruby was working for the Mafia when he shut him up. They were furious at Kennedy because of the Valachi hearings, and because Joseph Kennedy told them his son would be a friend to the Mafia if elected. So, they worked to get him elected. He did not become a friend. They had him shot dead.
Toni Nardi, who plays Joseph Bonanno, from ages 35-61, is as likable as can be. (I think he also narrates it, but am not sure.) Why Martin Landau got top billing is beyond me. He plays Mr. Bonanno in his 90s, has few scenes and no lines! Why didn't they just make Mr. Nardi look much older? I'm sure a make-up person could have easily done so. Moreover, why is Toni Nardi not even pictured on the movie poster? He carried the whole film!
Mr. Nardi is a perfect Mafia boss for those who wish to believe Mafia godfathers are great family men, out to help others succeed in life; certainly not the criminals law enforcement agencies want everyone to believe. In the beginning of the movie, his wife is shown, as is his daughter. His wife is an intelligent, interesting person.
After son Bill becomes an adult and part of the Mafia, however, his mother and sister are no longer seen in the movie. Why did they become non-existent characters? They didn't die in real life! Is this suppose to be strictly a guy movie? It does have some very violent scenes, which I fast-forwarded through.
Finally, one highly interesting part of the film concerned the assasination of JFK. According to this story, JFK was killed by the Mafia. Lee Harvey Oswald was nothing but a patsy, and Jack Ruby was working for the Mafia when he shut him up. They were furious at Kennedy because of the Valachi hearings, and because Joseph Kennedy told them his son would be a friend to the Mafia if elected. So, they worked to get him elected. He did not become a friend. They had him shot dead.
- sundayatdusk-97859
- Apr 14, 2024
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Family: The Life and Times of Joseph Bonanno
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime2 hours 50 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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