The almighty Charles Bronson is aces in the title role in this gangster saga that had the misfortune to be released the same year as the much more well known "The Godfather". But that doesn't mean that it isn't worth your time. Joe Valachi joins the Cosa Nostra crime organization as an impressionable young man during the Great Depression, ultimately working his way up the organization. Eventually, he gets righteously busted by the cops, and while he is in prison agrees to turn informant, after realizing that there is a $100,000 contract on his life.
Directed by Terence Young, who'd guided three of the James Bond adventures, this plays out in a pretty matter of fact way, eschewing melodrama (for the most part) and telling a grim and gritty tale. It's scripted by Stephen Geller, based on the true-crime book by Peter Maas (whose writings also served as the basis for the film "Serpico"). It's effectively brutal in terms of the violence, even suggesting a very nasty comeuppance for the character Gap (Walter Chiari). Young and his crew ground the story in a believable manner, using a variety of unfamiliar (at least to North American audiences) character actors. Notable exceptions include Italian icon Lino Ventura as mob boss Vito Genovese, Canadian-born Joseph Wiseman, whom Young had directed in "Dr. No", as the hearty Salvatore Maranzano, and Gerald S. O'Loughlin ("In Cold Blood", 'The Rookies') as the lawman to whom Valachi spills his guts. Unsurprisingly, Bronsons' real-life companion Jill Ireland is on hand to play Valachis' wife, but the script doesn't give her much to do. Most eyes will be on Bronson, in any event, who shines in a real character role, and gets to play him at different ages.
Joe Valachi is portrayed in a humble, eager to please, uneducated but street smart way, and becomes an interesting enough person to follow as we watch his journey move from its fateful beginnings to its bittersweet finish.
Seven out of 10.
Directed by Terence Young, who'd guided three of the James Bond adventures, this plays out in a pretty matter of fact way, eschewing melodrama (for the most part) and telling a grim and gritty tale. It's scripted by Stephen Geller, based on the true-crime book by Peter Maas (whose writings also served as the basis for the film "Serpico"). It's effectively brutal in terms of the violence, even suggesting a very nasty comeuppance for the character Gap (Walter Chiari). Young and his crew ground the story in a believable manner, using a variety of unfamiliar (at least to North American audiences) character actors. Notable exceptions include Italian icon Lino Ventura as mob boss Vito Genovese, Canadian-born Joseph Wiseman, whom Young had directed in "Dr. No", as the hearty Salvatore Maranzano, and Gerald S. O'Loughlin ("In Cold Blood", 'The Rookies') as the lawman to whom Valachi spills his guts. Unsurprisingly, Bronsons' real-life companion Jill Ireland is on hand to play Valachis' wife, but the script doesn't give her much to do. Most eyes will be on Bronson, in any event, who shines in a real character role, and gets to play him at different ages.
Joe Valachi is portrayed in a humble, eager to please, uneducated but street smart way, and becomes an interesting enough person to follow as we watch his journey move from its fateful beginnings to its bittersweet finish.
Seven out of 10.