Search - La Mafia: An Expose on DVD

Ten 45-minute chapters on mob history

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 10/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"MADACY's LA COSA NOSTRA - MAFIA: AN EXPOSE is also known as "Tin Can Mafia" because of the metal storage case this set comes in. The ten 45-minute documentaries (produced in 1997) explore all facets of organized crime from its beginning right up to the modern era.


CONTENTS:

DISC ONE
COMING TO AMERICA-- Details the emigration in the late 19th Century and arrival in NYC of the Five Families. Includes archive footage, photos and first person accounts of mob insiders and law enforcement members.

AL CAPONE-- Former member of the Five Points Gang, Chicago's Al Capone was a murderer, extortionist, pimp, bootlegger, gang leader and organizer of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Episode includes commentary from mob experts, vintage film clips and modern recreations.


DISC TWO
VALACHI, LUCIANO and GENOVESE-- The lives of three of the most notorious Mafia bosses are covered using old films, photos and the recollections of insiders and authorities.

HOLLYWOOD-- Examines connections between Hollywood luminaries and the underworld.


DISC THREE
VEGAS-- The history of a small Nevada town turned gambling resort, with special emphasis on the life and career of Bugsy Siegel. Includes old films and photos, plus interviews.

HOFFA-- The life and times of union boss Jimmy Hoffa, his mob connections and several plots (including one to assassinate Fidel Castro) he was allegedly involved in are discussed. Hoffa's 1975 disappearance and subsequent career of his son are also featured.


DISC FOUR
KENNEDY CONNECTION-- A look at the possible Mafia link to JFK's assassination includes a bio on ex-mobster Jack Ruby.

GALLO, COLOMBO and BONNANO-- Covers the lives and violent careers of three New York-area mob leaders who ruled in the 1960s.


DISC FIVE--
GOTTI-- The "Teflon Don" rose from small-time hood to become leader of New York's Gambino family. He got his nickname for an uncanny ability to avoid conviction and jail. The nattily-dressed Gotti's luck ran out however in 1992, when wiretaps and an associate's testimony on ten murders put him in prison for life.

EPILOGUE-- A summation, and look at the Mafia as it existed in 1997.


Also of interest is A&E's five-hour documentary, GODFATHERS COLLECTION - THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE MAFIA."

Mob exposed

Luis Bugarini | Mexico | 06/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A particular mafia history which describes the highlights in organizations around crime. Perfect as an insight and also as a reminder for the connosieur. A taste of bullets, blood and murder."

Mafia an Expose

RetroRocket | USA | 03/25/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Phew! Save your money. This thing is awful! I gave [..] for the whole set and I regret it! It is poorly done. Horrible audio. Not recommended!"

Comprehensive analysis is made of a lot of topics

Pork Chop | Lisbon, Portugal | 08/30/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"La Mafia: An Expose, is a 5 DVD release, comprising various decades
of American history, interpreting events chronologically from the
mob's angle.

The footage, for the most part is very clear, at least the clearest
possible keeping in mind that it was transferred from VHS tape
(this being obvious to viewers, the editing technology's
artifacts, and so on.)

The organization of the subject is successful from an entertainment
point of view, not being dry at all, as viewers listen to
narrators, authors, conspiracy theorists all giving their 2 cents
whether its the origin of the mob in the USA, about Prohibition,
the rubouts that occurred on those who fell out of favor, the CIA,
Hoover at the FBI, Cuba, the underlying economic power and monopoly
of head honcho Marcello in Louisiana, the efforts of Bobby Kennedy
in removing Hoffa and Marcello from their positions of influence in
American Life, etc.

The photographs, video footage and the historical laying out of
events is well worth the time spent, namely the Las Vegas
developments, or the TV spot showing NYC Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia
impounding hundreds of slot machines, and banning them from the
city (which New Orleans seized upon as a business opportunity to
allow more revenue, for example.)

As well, the educational value is there, on the origins of Las
Vegas (Hoover Dam project) the vision of Bugsy Siegel in designing
fabulous projects allegedly financed with the billion dollar
Teamsters pension fund, alledged skimming operations and directing
money flows to various places, etc.

Some aspects are not surprising, such as the prosperity of a black
market among the military for various goods, the distibution of
narco-substances nation-wide, the financing of Mussolini's
political ambitions, the trans-national role of those activities
and the members, the control of piers and the labor unions and
manipulation of the pension funds while keeping in mind the
presence of officers, and enforcement.

Various other milestones are covered, such as the Valachi hearings,
corruption in nominating judges, and officials, the profitability
of bookies, escort services, and more.

In sum, a comprehensive analysis is made of a lot of topics."