The Best Movie Gangsters

While cinema is littered with iconic gangster performances, few have matched the sheer brutality and magnetism that Tony Montana possesses. To celebrate this exciting new Blu-ray release we invite you on a journey through a gangster-acting master class.

Considered
one of the most influential gangster films ever made, Scarface is the rags-to-riches
story of Tony Montana (Al Pacino), who finds wealth, power and
passion beyond his wildest dreams…at a price he never imagined. Tony Montana’s meteoric rise, lavish life and soul-destroying fall anchor an epic
film that inspired a worldwide following. Pacino is at his most memorable as
Montana, blasting his way to the top of Miami’s drug underworld in a bravura
performance.

While
cinema is littered with iconic gangster performances, few have matched the
sheer brutality and magnetism that Tony Montana possesses. To celebrate this
exciting new Blu-ray release we invite you on a journey through a
gangster-acting master class.

“Say Hello To Our Little List”

10. James
Cagney as Tom Powers in
The Public Enemy
James Cagney’s loose lipped tight fisted Tom
Powers is the celebrated actors most ruthless screen incarnation. He doesn’t
think twice about killing someone as after he has done the deed he just turns
away to his partner and begins talking about dinner. Amoral isn’t even the
right word to describe such a wonderfully disgusting character.
Memorable
quote: “… I didn’t ask you for any lip. I asked if you had a drink”

9.
Ben Kingsley as Don Logan in
Sexy Beast
Sent from the mean streets of London to sunny
Spain to tell Ray Winstone (who is busy frying himself under the scorching sun)
that he must take part in another criminal job Ben Kinglsey is the actor’s most
intense role to date. You just don’t say no to Don Logan. Interestingly
Kinglsey based his performance on his grandma. She must have been one scary
customer!
Memorable
quote: “I won’t let you be happy, why should I?”

8.
Lee Marvin as Vince Stone in
The Big Heat
One of cinemas most iconic hard-men finds the role
he was made in Vince Stone. He casually throws hot coffee in his girlfriend’s
face and uses violence to hide his human inadequacies. A true sadist riddled
with major complex character deficiencies that all work together to create one
of cinema’s greatest bad guys of all time.
Memorable
quote: “Hey, that’s nice perfume”

7. Ray
Liotta as Henry Hill in
Goodfellas
Ruthless criminal, violent wannabe,
whistle-blower?
Liotta will never top his performance as real
life mafia gangster Henry Hill and why would he want to even try. He had it all
but all good things must come to an end and Henry Hill’s paranoia reaches
boiling point when he finds himself on the wrong side of his supposed friends.
Memorable
quote: “As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a gangster”

6. Christopher
Walken as Frank White in
King Of New York
Christopher Walken uses his trademark eccentric
features to create the ultimate riff on Robin Hood. Former New York drug lord
Frank White is now out of prison and he is determined to wipe out the
competition. However instead of keeping the profits he distributes them to the
poor people of the city. Controversial director Abel Ferrara gives Walken free
reign and boy are we grateful.
Memorable
quote: “From now on, nothing goes down unless I’m involved. No blackjack no
dope deals, no nothing. A nickel bag gets sold in the park, I want in. You guys
got fat while everybody starved on the street. Now it’s my turn.”

5.
Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito in
Goodfellas
A pint sized foul mouthed out-of-control prick.
However none of us would dare say it to his face. It’s easy for us to laugh
along with his antics through the safety of a television screen but if we
encountered Pesci’s mafia soldier in real life we’d probably run the other way.
Memorable
quote: “Funny how… How am I funny? Funny like I’m a clown… like I amuse you?”

4. Al
Pacino as Carlito Brigante in
Carlito’s Way
Watching Pacino portray a man so desperate for
redemption is a joy to behold. Watching him react to the realisation that he
can’t escape his past and that it will cost him the woman he loves is gut
wrenching. Once you are as crooked as Carlito was it’s almost impossible to go
straight. Torn apart by the life he created and then tried to run away from.
Memorable
quote: “The dream don’t come no closer by itself. We gotta run after it now.”

3.
Robert DeNiro as Noodles in
Once Upon A Time In America
It’s hard to face all the mistakes you made in
your past. Robert DeNiro’s Noodles finds out that even after 30 years the
ghosts of his life still haunt the streets of New York City. His performance
works because he walks through every scene like an apparition himself. A shadow
of the man he was. It’s like watching a man slowly die in front of you and,
man, is it heart-breaking.
Memorable
quote: “I like the stink of the streets. It makes me feel good. And I like the
smell of it, it opens up my lungs. And it gives me a hard-on”

2.
Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone in
The Godfather
Brando always drew a fine line between hero and
criminal. With The Godfather he embodied the defining mafia crime boss. The
yardstick everyone has aimed for since. Only an actor like Marlon Brando could
stick cotton wool in his mouth and still come off creating a legend.
Memorable
quote: “I’m gonna make him an offer he won’t refuse”

1. Al Pacino as Tony Montana
in
Scarface
As Michael Corleone he was subdued
and chilling. As Tony Montana he is a wild bordering on insane violent freak of
nature. He approaches the sunny Miami coastline with the force of ten-thousand
hurricanes. Unhinged and ferocious, Tony Montana doesn’t think twice about
wielding a chainsaw. As always if you live by the machine gun you die by the
machine gun and his violent death was the only way out.
Memorable quote: “I always
tell the truth, even when I lie”

Scarface Is released on 5th September. To Pre-Order the Blu-Ray Click Here