The Traitor
The real life of Tommaso Buscetta the so called "boss of the two worlds", first mafia informant in Sicily 1980's.
Director:
Marco Bellocchio
Cast:
Pierfrancesco Favino, Luigi Lo Cascio, Fausto Russo Alesi
Screenplay:
Marco Bellocchio, Valia Santella
Screening Date:
Jan 25, 2020
Studio:
Sony Pictures Classics
Running Time:
2h 25min
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30.0% | 20.0% | 22.5% | 20.0% | 2.5% |
“Great cinematography! Powerful film”
“What a terrific way to begin the season, a big sprawling,
gripping epic of mafia murder and mayhem.”
“An excellent film and how great to see something from Italy on
the topic of the Casa Nostra rather than from Hollywood.
Loved the Ebenezer Scrooge sequence where he dreams his
own death.”
“WAY too long. I didn’t see THE IRISHMEN so had no basis for
comparison. Tries to show difference between old Casa
Nostrum and what it became after the drug trade took them on
a different direction. What are the rules and what is honor?”
“Very confusing. Subtitles were too fast could not keep up with
who was who.”
“This is a filmmaker at his peak, confident in telling an epic
opera of gangsters and honor among thieves (and drug
dealers). Marco Bellocchio is a master.”
"This was gripping, being based on the true story. So was THE
IRISHMAN I suppose, but this has much more poignancy than
Scorcese’s epic.”
“Cinematically so interesting the scene at Falcone’s death was
incredible and a surprise. Courtroom scene with cages in the
back was hilarious.”
“Too long!”
“Yes, it’s a little long but any ten minutes are better than any
part of THE IRISHMAN.”
“I have seen this film before and loved the acting and story.
However, it really needs to be reedited. I found it hard to
follow the plot.”
“A wonderful film with resources with both the drug cartel
violence in Mexico and our own gun saturated culture. The
ending in which Masino carries out the hit on the father is
perfect.”
“LONG!”
“OK, the similarities to some of the court proceedings in the
film – ‘I don’t know him’ – to our current criminal in charge are
of course unintentional but chilling. They all belong behind
bars.”
“The judges and lawyers and most all of the courtroom
proceedings border on the verge of satire. Is that the way
things are done in Italy? God bless America!”
“Great film! Why wasn’t this nominated for Best Foreign
Language film?”
“This film is no IRISHMAN despite its subject matter and Mafia
world. It welcomes us to visit for only 2 1/2 hours! Lord it
needed editing! Don’t get me wrong. I do not categorically
dismiss Mafia set dramas, dark and disturbing as they are. But
this was so muddily written and confusingly rendered I had
trouble following it and grew to wonder what made this
director/producing team think this is an important story we
should know? The central character is not honorable even to
and especially in his final murder.” Jeanne K
“Wish I knew more about his family, but I’ll say that about
Scorcese’s film as well. I liked this film so much better than THE
IRISHMAN, or the better title: OLDFELLAS.”
“Nice use of visual metaphors in the film, such as the gangsters
behind bars and the caged hyenas. Even the courtroom seemed
like a gladiatorial arena.”
“Loved some unique cinematic touches – the body count
tabulated on the screen, and the sudden bursts of operatic
music fitting this tale of death and destruction.”
If you'd like to know more about the film...
A brief history of “La Cosa Nostra”
https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/organized-crime/history-of-la-cosa-nostra
For those who were confused by the film’s plot and its arrangement of scenes, here is a website that synthesizes Tommaso Buscetta’s life as a mobster and his decision to turn on his Mafia brethren:
https://americanmafiahistory.com/tommaso-buscetta-responsible-for-the-maxi-trials/
These videos explain the Maxi Trial with commentary and actual footage from the hearing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAKIpdA7wQI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfUOfDb-ErY
