| The Black Hand (The Birth of the Mafia) | |
|---|---|
.JPG) | |
| Directed by | Antonio Racioppi |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Story by | Carlo Infascelli [1] |
| Produced by | Carlo Infascelli [1] |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Riccardo Pallottini [1] |
| Edited by | Cleote Conversi [1] |
| Music by | Carlo Rustichelli [1] |
Production company | In.Ci.S Film
[1] |
| Distributed by | Roma Film |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes [1] |
| Country | Italy [1] |
| Language | Italian |
| Box office | ₤230.363 million |
The Black Hand (The Birth of the Mafia) ( Italian: La mano nera) is a 1973 Italian crime film written and directed by Antonio Racioppi and starring Lionel Stander, Rosanna Fratello and Michele Placido. [2] [3]
Plot
Italian-American cop Joe Petrosino infiltrates the Mafia in turn of the 20th century[ year needed] New York.
Cast
- Lionel Stander as Lt. Joe Petrosino
- Rosanna Fratello as Angela
- Michele Placido as Antonio Turris
- Corrado Gaipa as Avvocato
- Luigi Pistilli as Don Nunzio Pantaleo
- Philippe Leroy as The Professor
- Roger Browne as State Attorney
- Nino Vingelli as Don Gaetano
- Annie Carol Edel as Mary
- Mario Frera as Don Salvatore
- Gilberto Galimberti as Tano Massara
- Gianni Manera as Berto
- Giacomo Rizzo as Nicola Gerace
- Salvatore Billa as Hechman
Production
Luigi Cozzi, one of the nine credited screenwriters on the film that producer Carlo Infascelli wanted to change the script depending on the actors demands. [1] For example, Cozzi claims that Infascelli had to change the film per Phillipe Leroy's request. [1] Cozzi noted that he was phoned by Infascelli and was told to change the scenes per Leroy's demands within 24 hours. [1] Cozzi noted he was often phoned and told to find reasons and ways things changed. [1]
Release
The Black Hand was released in Italy on March 16, 1973 where it was distributed theatrically by Roma Film. [1] The film grossed 230.363 million Italian lira on its theatrical run. [1]
Reception
John Raisback of the Monthly Film Bulletin reviewed an 85-minute dubbed version of the film, finding it having a "rambling plot line" and that large portions of the dubbed dialogue were lifted straight from The Godfather. [4]
Remake
In 2017, Paramount announced that it has acquired the movie rights for an English language adaptation. [5] The new film, due for release in 2018, will star Leonardo DiCaprio as Joe, and will be partly based on Stephan Talty's upcoming novelization of Petrosino's assassination. [6]
References
Footnotes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Curti 2013, p. 74.
- ^ Roberto Curti (2006). Italia odia: il cinema poliziesco italiano. Lindau, 2006. ISBN 8871805860.
- ^ Paolo Mereghetti. Il Mereghetti - Dizionario dei film. B.C. Dalai Editore, 2010. ISBN 8860736269.
- ^ Raisback, John (1874). "Black Hand, The (La Mano Nera)". The Monthly Film Bulletin. Vol. 41, no. 480. p. 77.
- ^ Busch, Anita (31 January 2017). "Paramount Acquires 'The Black Hand' For Leonardo DiCaprio To Star For The Gotham Group And Appian Way". Deadline.com. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- ^ "Leonardo DiCaprio to star in film about the precursor to the American Mafia". Independent.co.uk. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
Sources
- Curti, Roberto (2013). Italian Crime Filmography, 1968-1980. McFarland. ISBN 978-0786469765.
