The standard bearer for all gangster films

Rating: 9/10 (5 December 2001)

If I had my way, this is the film that all gangster & violence films should be measured up against. It sets all the standards which some films have since lived up to but most have failed miserably.
Dare I say it, it's better than Godfather 1 & probably even part 2, and that takes some doing.
The main reason, is the plot is kept simple, there's just the right amount of characters. Even Godfather 1 -if you can find a fault with it- probably has just one or two extra Italians to confuse you slightly.
This is gangster films & even films generally, at it's best.
Sure there's some gruesome & heartless scenes, and I felt for the innocent postman, but they fit in perfectly with the context of the film and create exactly the mood.
Of course, the main reason is that it's based on true accounts which you can easily believe. If only others in the film industry would try to do likewise.
9.5/10 if such a vote existed, it doesn't so 10/10.
Alongside only Star Wars, Great Escape, Shawshank Redemption & the Magnificent 7 out of 300 films. That's pretty good company.