So then, chaps, what're some good "gangster" films?

I've a couple, but I'd like more. Just looking for some pointers to the better picks of the bunch to start me off...

erm. does guys 'n' dolls count? otherwise i'm not much use...

A few of my choices

There are some good Brit ones..

Long Good Friday
The Hit
Villain
Brighton Rock

Japanese Yakuza..

Brother
Sonatine
Tokyo Drifter

Hong Kong..

A Better Tomorrow
Kung Fu Hustle

American faves...

Miller's Crossing
Goodfellas
Casino
Untouchables
White Heat
State Of Grace

Yeah, most of those are pretty sweet.
Carlito's Way is a good'un.

Fuck yeah...better than Godfather I'd say. As is Once Upon A Time In America.

Now I wonder how long before a Scarface recommendation is posted.

Aye, Casino and Carlito's Way are on the top of the list. I've got Brother but haven't watched it yet...

True. Brilliant film. And it's got James Woods and everything.
Not a Scarface fan meself.

For me, the classics are:

Mean Streets
The Godfather, parts I and II
Goodfellas
Casino
Donnie Brasco
Carlito's Way

I agree with all suggestions so far (well apart from the ones i've not actually seen myself). But I would say that I do like/love Scarface myself. It was one of the first gangster films I ever saw, and has just stuck with me.

Carlito's way is great, and a bit of a heart-jerker in ways.

Would True Romance count as a gangster film? It definitely has gangs and gangsters but not sure if it is a gangster film per se.

Another one which isn't a gangster film as such, but has similar gangster-related issues is ID (featuring "the Doctor").

With Warren Clarke and Rhys whatever his name is (Willis, I think) from Never the Twain? I haven't seen that for years. Which doctor? Ecclestone?

He weren't in Never The Twain, he was in Home To Roost. It's Reece Dinsdale I think.

We are Shadwell, the Kennel is our home............

Gangster No. 1's worth picking up, and it's currently only a fiver on Play.

Dinsdale, that's it. Mates with Spiny Norman.

Was that the one he was with Windsor Davies in? I could be confused, my memory is air held together by string and most of the string has moved house. Who was in Never the Twain then?

Never The Twain was Windsor Davies and Donald Sindon. They played rival antique dealers. The first sreies was OK as they used a sort of Romeo and Juliet vibe (their respective kids were dating). After that it fell apart.

Home To Roost featured John Thaw and the aformentioned Reece. Reece played John's estranged son who moved in with him as a (supposed) teenager. Hilarity ensued.

for some reason I was convinced that Ecclestone was in it, yes, however i've just checked IMDB and it appears not. Not sure how I got him confused in there, but a great film nonetheless!

And another not-quite-gangster-but-pretty-close film to look out for is DeepCover as mentioned by a few peeps in the "Unsung Movies" thread (I guess I should have linked to it, but its not too difficult to find if you want to read more on it!)

Having being mentioned in another thread...Infernal Affairs is an amazing Gangster film.

Is this the greatest thread drift ever?

From classic gangster films to mediocre ITV sitcoms of the 80's.

Bloody, but brilliant.

You might also wish to consider 'The Long Firm' - not a film, but the BBC adaptation of Jake Arnott's novel of 60's gangland London - very good.

And, of course, The Sopranos - all 65 eps are minor masterpieces.

For light relief, try Love, Honour & Obey - just don't expect too much.

lol - in that case, how about 'Orrible with Johnny Vaughan and Ricky Grover - they were wannabe gangsters weren't they!?

Forgot the 90's "black cinema" gangster trend

Deep Cover
New Jack City

I agree with "Goodfellas" definitely one of my favourite films. "Scarface" is also another good one but doesn't really deal with the more typical 'Italian-American' mobster types that you find in "Goodfellas" and "The Godfather".

ooh yes, NJC is good, although i've not seen it for about 10 years so I may think differently if i was to watch it again today. (Good soundtrack as well - may have to dig out the CD to listen to in the garden tomorrow!)

Would Boyz In The (Da?) Hood count as gangster?

I'd say so, as would Menace 2 Society & Dead Presidents.

Why is my head all messed up with tangled memories of these sitcoms that no one discusses any more. Twain, Roost, Brush Strokes, May to December, Constant Hot Water and that one where David Essex plays a Pikey Lock keeper on a canal. Perhaps it's putting them all together to make one giant uber sitcom. Was it Michael Elphick in three up two down or was that called upstairs downstairs?
I dunno. I'm confused

Michael Elphick, Angela Thorne, Ray Burdis & the lovely Lysette Anthony.

It's in the HMV sale at the moment, near to some gangster dvds. Probably.

I watched Home To Roost the other day - it was on UK Gold +1 or some equally silly channel. Dinsdale was da bomb.

The David Essex one was called 'The River', which makes sense since he was a lock keeper and fancied a woman on a barge. They must have thought 'The Canal' didn't sound sexy enough.

lol - i used to think it was a bit odd calling it the river as well. oh those none-detail-specific happy days of the 80's huh?

That`s because he wasn`t Italian-American in that.

Me, I love the Gangster shit. Goodfellas is the best example of any gangster movie, because it`s not about the bosses, it`s about the grunts.

Plus, I love Tommy. He made small blokes scary again. I defy anyone to not shit their pants when he starts with the whole "Do I amuse you?" routine.

Anyone's scary with a loaded gun.

Apart from Anthony Michael Hall.

Well flare guns are not particularly threatening.

really? Have you not seen [insert name of film in which bad guys get shot with flair gun, resulting in light coming out of mouth and gruesome death ... mainly because i can't think of one, but know there are loads!]?

Also, getting back to the gangster theme ... I quite like watching the likes of Lock Stock or Snatch AFTER watching a heavy gangster film, sort of two sides to a coin i guess.

city of god is a gangster,but a diffrent sort of gangster film.