Became legends: the best gangster movies of all time

Gangsters have always been attractive characters for movies. Their stories of power, money and crime captivate audiences around the world.

The gangster movie genre is so wide and diverse that it is difficult to single out the best films. However, some works have become real cult films and have gone down in the history of cinema forever.

Directors such as Martin Scorsese and Brian De Palma have made a significant contribution to the development of this genre. Their films have become classics and still remain relevant.

Gangster films are not just entertaining movies, they are a look into the dark side of society. If you decide to watch all the gangster movies, it will take a lot of time. But to get started, OBOZ.UA suggests that you familiarize yourself with the best films that are definitely worth seeing.

Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

Director Sergio Leone tells the story of two Jewish gangsters who come to power in New York. The film covers several decades of life of a group of friends in the Jewish neighborhood of New York.

The plot centers on a story of friendship, betrayal and remorse, told through the memories of Noodles (Robert De Niro), a former gangster who returns to his hometown after a long absence.

The Long Good Friday (1980)

This is a cult British crime thriller directed by John Mackenzie. The plot centers on Harold Shand (Bob Hoskins), an influential London gangster whose business and ambitions are destroyed by a series of mysterious attacks on Good Friday. The film is characterized by an intense plot, brilliant acting and a poignant social theme dealing with politics, corruption and violence.

Battles Without Honor and Humanity (1973)

This is a cult Japanese crime drama that immerses the viewer in the cruel world of the Japanese yakuza mafia. This series of films, created by film director Kintaro Nishikawa, was a real breakthrough in Japanese cinema and influenced the development of the crime genre in general.

The films of the series recreate the atmosphere of a violent underground, where cruelty, betrayal and a ruthless struggle for power reign supreme. The main characters are members of the yakuza, who live by their own strict laws and are ready to do anything for the honor of the clan.

City of God (2002)

Director Fernando Meirelles tells a dramatic story set in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, where poverty, violence and drugs shape the lives of the inhabitants.

The plot tells the story of two childhood friends: one who becomes a photographer and the other who chooses the path of crime. The film impresses with its realistic portrayal of violence and chaos in Brazilian favelas, as well as with the powerful directorial work of Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lunda.

Scarface (1983)

A cult crime drama about the rise of Cuban immigrant Tony Montana in the world of Miami drug trafficking. Director Brian De Palma has created an intense story about ambition, cruelty and the destructive power of power. Al Pacino's performance in the title role is considered one of the best of his career. The film has become a classic of the genre and a symbol of the gangster era of the 80s.

The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)

This is a deep crime thriller that explores the life of a small-time gangster in Boston. Eddie Coyle, played masterfully by Robert Mitchum, finds himself caught between the world of criminals and law enforcement, trying to avoid prison. The film is characterized by a realistic depiction of the criminal world and the moral dilemmas faced by the protagonist. The film is considered one of the best works in the genre of crime drama of the 70s.

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