This was Ernest Borgnine's finest film since Marty in 1955. It is an underrated, little-known piece that embarrassed some members of the Italian community at the time of its release (and even now, most likely), but not the Italians who are proud of their heritage. Yes, there was a mafia, Virginia. And men like Petrosino, portrayed by Borgnine, paid the ultimate price to combat their nefarious activities. Reminiscent of The Untouchables TV show with Eliot Ness, starring Robert Stack, which was popular in the late fifties. Ness had a much easier job than Petrosino, who had to lay it all on the line every day of the year. An interesting study on real Italian history in the US.
Review of Pay or Die!
