Donnie Brasco (1997)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Mike Newell

Writers (WGA):

Joseph D. Pistone (book) and
Richard Woodley (book) ...
(more)

Release Date:

28 February 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Donnie Brasco. Based On A True Story.

Plot:

An FBI undercover agent infilitrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life to the expense of his regular one.

Plot Keywords:

Mafia | FBI | Undercover | New York City | Marriage

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Al Pacino	...	Benjamin 'Lefty' Ruggiero
Johnny Depp	...	Donnie Brasco / Joseph D. 'Joe' Pistone
Michael Madsen	...	Sonny Black
Bruno Kirby	...	Nicky
James Russo	...	Paulie
Anne Heche	...	Maggie Pistone
Zeljko Ivanek	...	Tim Curley
Gerry Becker	...	Dean Blandford
Robert Miano	...	Sonny Red
Brian Tarantina	...	Bruno
Rocco Sisto	...	Richard 'Richie' Gazzo
Zach Grenier	...	Dr. Berger
Walt MacPherson	...	Sheriff
Ronnie Farer	...	Annette
Terry Serpico	...	Strip Club Owner
Gretchen Mol	...	Sonny's Girlfriend
Tony Lip	...	Philly Lucky
George Angelica	...	Big Trin
Val Avery	...	Trafficante
Madison Arnold	...	Jilly
Delanie Fitzpatrick	...	Daughter Amanda Pistone
Katie Sagona	...	Daughter Jessica Pistone
Sara Gold	...	Daughter
Larry Romano	...	Tommy Ruggiero
Tim Blake Nelson	...	FBI Technician
Paul Giamatti	...	FBI Technician
James Michael McCauley	...	FBI Agent
James Bulleit	...	U.S. Attorney (as Jim Bulleit)
Andrew Parks	...	Hollman
Keenan Shimizu	...	Japanese Maitre D'
Rocco Musacchia	...	Trafficante's Man
Joe Francis	...	Trafficante's Man
Sal Jenco	...	Mare Chiaro Bartender
Billy Capucilli	...	Communion Party Man
Laura Cahill	...	Communion Party Woman
Doreen Murphy	...	Mob Girlfriend
Elle Alexander	...	Mob Girlfriend
Denise Faye	...	Mob Girlfriend
Elaine del Valle	...	Mob Girlfriend (as Elaine Del Valle)
John Horton	...	FBI Director
Dan Brennan	...	FBI Photographer
LaJuan Carter	...	Singer
Sandy Barber	...	Singer
Joyce Stovall	...	Singer
Frank Pesce	...	Wiseguy
Randy Jurgensen	...	Wiseguy
John Di Benedetto	...	Wiseguy (as John DiBenedetto)
Richard Zavaglia	...	Wiseguy
Tony Ray Rossi	...	Wiseguy
Edward Black	...	Wiseguy
Gaetano LoGiudice	...	Wiseguy
Carmelo Musacchia	...	Wiseguy
Pat Vecchio	...	Wiseguy
Caleb	...	The Lion
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Elle Alexander	...	Mob Girlfriend (uncredited)
Frank Bonsangue	...	Sonny Red's Crew (uncredited)
Christopher Del Gaudio	...	Pedestrian (uncredited)
Jim Lavin	...	Arresting FBI Officer (uncredited)
Jeff Millstein	...	Bar Patron (uncredited)
Lisa Marie Panagos	...	Sonny Black's girl (uncredited)
Garry Pastore	...	Carmine Galante's Bodyguard (uncredited)
Larry Tobias	...	Man in Bar (uncredited)

Directed by
Mike Newell

Writing credits (WGA)
Joseph D. Pistone		(book "Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia") and
Richard Woodley		(book "Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia")
Paul Attanasio		(screenplay)

Produced by
Louis DiGiaimo	....	producer
Alan Greenspan	....	executive producer
Mark Johnson	....	producer
Barry Levinson	....	producer
Patrick McCormick	....	executive producer
Gail Mutrux	....	producer

Original Music by
Patrick Doyle

Cinematography by
Peter Sova		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Jon Gregory

Casting by
Louis DiGiaimo
Brett Goldstein

Production Design by
Donald Graham Burt

Art Direction by
Jefferson Sage

Set Decoration by
Leslie A. Pope		(as Leslie Pope)

Costume Design by
Aude Bronson-Howard
David C. Robinson		(as David Robinson)

Makeup Department
Margot Boccia	....	makeup artist
Milton Buras	....	key hair stylist
Nathan J. Busch II	....	hair stylist (as Nathan Busch II)
John Caglione Jr.	....	key makeup artist
Jay Cannistraci	....	makeup artist: Florida (uncredited)
Sharon Kalb	....	makeup artist: Miami (uncredited)

Production Management
Richard Baratta	....	unit production manager
Michael Saxton	....	post-production supervisor
Chantal Feghali	....	post-production supervisor (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Eric Henriquez	....	dga trainee
Sam Hoffman	....	second assistant director
Joseph P. Reidy	....	first assistant director (as Joseph Reidy)
Danielle Rigby	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
James Bono	....	assistant property master
Jon Copley	....	art department coordinator
Frank DeCurtis	....	set dresser
Claudette Didul	....	set dresser
Deborah Dreyer	....	set dresser
Bruce Lee Gross	....	leadman
Vinny Mazzarella	....	assistant property master
James Mazzola	....	property master
Jeff Mazzola	....	assistant property master
Jeffrey D. McDonald	....	assistant art director (as Jeffrey McDonald)
Deborah Moses	....	set dresser
Raymond M. Samitz	....	construction coordinator (as Ray Samitz)
Steve Swanson	....	set dresser
Alan Trumpler	....	chargeman scenic artist
Tom Warren	....	assistant art director (as Thomas Warren)
Denis Zack	....	set dresser (as Dennis Zack)
Michael Zansky	....	chargeman scenic artist
Jerry Eller	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Rod England	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Charles Guanci Jr.	....	props (uncredited)
Claire Kirk	....	construction accountant (uncredited)
Richard E. Kruder	....	set dresser: Florida (uncredited)
Nicholas Lundy	....	assistant art director (uncredited)
Christine Mayer	....	assistant set decorator (uncredited)

Sound Department
Philip Alton	....	foley editor
Sue Baker	....	dialogue editor
Tim Cavagin	....	sound re-recording mixer
Graham Farrow	....	assistant sound editor
Ian Fuller	....	supervising sound editor
Derek Holding	....	adr editor
Dean Humphreys	....	sound re-recording mixer
Ian Macbeth	....	assistant sound editor
Tod A. Maitland	....	sound mixer
Christine Newell	....	assistant sound editor
Victor Nunes	....	assistant sound editor
T.J. O'Mara	....	boom operator (as Terence O'Mara)
Grahame Peters	....	sound effects editor
Michael Redfern	....	assistant sound editor
Joel Holland	....	sound recordist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Ron Ottesen	....	special effects supervisor (as Ronald Ottesen Jr.)

Visual Effects by
Martin Body	....	optical cameraman (uncredited)

Stunts
G.A. Aguilar	....	stunt coordinator (as George Aguilar)
Victor Chan	....	stunts
Peter Bove	....	stunt double (uncredited)
Blaise Corrigan	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jeffrey Lee Gibson	....	stunts (uncredited)
Steve Hart	....	stunts (uncredited)
Brian Smyj	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Tom Anderson	....	best boy electric (as Thomas Anderson)
David E. Baron	....	second assistant camera (as David Baron)
Michael Green	....	first assistant camera
Richard Guinness Jr.	....	key grip
Brian Hamill	....	still photographer
Kevin Janicelli	....	rigging gaffer
Sal Lanza	....	best boy grip
Patrick McGrath	....	dolly grip
Dick Mingalone	....	camera operator
Gary Muller	....	first assistant camera
Kevin Murphy	....	chief lighting technician
Peter Norman	....	additional photographer
Ronald Plant	....	rigging grip
Andrew Priestley	....	second assistant camera
Nils Johnson	....	24 frame video operator (uncredited)
Ondrej Kubicek	....	first assistant camera (uncredited)
Wayne Paull	....	additional camera operator (uncredited)
James M. Reeves	....	rigging electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Fleet Emerson	....	extras casting
Sylvia Fay	....	extras casting
Mark Byrne	....	casting assistant: Sylvia Fay casting (uncredited)
David H. Kramer	....	adr voice casting (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
David Dumais	....	wardrobe supervisor: men
Mary Gierczak	....	costumer
Lauren Press	....	assistant costume designer
Lawrence Tarzy	....	costumer
Susan J. Wright	....	wardrobe supervisor (as Susan Wright)
Joanna Brett	....	assistant to costume designer (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Sam Adelman	....	first assistant editor: USA
John Dicker	....	third assistant editor: USA
Valentina Giambanco	....	second assistant editor: UK
Marianne Gray	....	post-production coordinator (as Marianne Pettersson Gray)
Christopher Holmes	....	extended edition
Sorin Ariel Iarovici	....	second assistant editor: USA (as Sorin Iarovici)
Kezia Martin	....	third assistant editor: UK
Ian Seymour	....	first assistant editor: UK
John Stanborough	....	color timer
Mike Fraser	....	negative cutter (uncredited)
Kurt Mattila	....	editor: title sequence (uncredited)
Mark Neale	....	trainee assistant film editor (uncredited)

Music Department
Budd Carr	....	executive music producer
Robin Clarke	....	music editor
Paul Hulme	....	scoring mixer
Allan Mason	....	executive music producer
Sylvia Nestor	....	music coordinator
Roy Prendergast	....	music editor
Maggie Rodford	....	music score producer
Curt Sobel	....	music consultant
John Bell	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Isobel Griffiths	....	orchestra contractor (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Richard Holston	....	transportation captain
Michael Hyde	....	transportation coordinator
Mike Easter	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Chris Allies	....	end title graphics
Melvin Anderson	....	production assistant
Michael Bederman	....	assistant accountant
Laura Berning	....	assistant location manager
Nathaniel Bonini	....	assistant location manager
Jeanne Brennan	....	production office coordinator
Cynthia Carriere	....	production assistant
Aryn Chapman	....	production assistant
Kyle Cooper	....	title designer: main titles
Bruce Corkham	....	assistant: Mr. Depp (as Bruce Corkum)
Lou Crisa	....	assistant: Mr. Pacino
Robin Cross	....	assistant accountant
Christi Dembrowski	....	assistant: Mr. Depp
Lisa Diamond	....	assistant: Mr. Newell
Lou DiGiaimo Jr.	....	assistant: Mr. DiGiaimo
Timothy Donohue	....	production assistant
Tink Ten Eyck	....	production accountant
Giancarlo Giannini	....	voice dubbing: Al Pacino
Michelle Guastello	....	assistant: Mr. Madsen
Chandra Joy Hagopian	....	production secretary
Scott Hornbacher	....	location manager
Jon Johnson Sr.	....	production assistant
Tish Johnson	....	assistant accountant
Susann Jones	....	assistant: Mr. Johnson
Tim Judge	....	assistant: Mr. Pacino
Beverly Jusi	....	assistant accountant (as Beverly Meade)
Lisa Katcher	....	script supervisor
Danielle Katz	....	production assistant
Kate Kelly	....	assistant production office coordinator
Claire Kirk	....	production assistant
Amy Leigh Johnson	....	unit publicist (as Amy Johnson)
Steve McAuliff	....	animal trainer
Steven W. McKinney	....	assistant: Mr. McCormick
Hector Mesa Jr.	....	production assistant
Doug Moreno	....	assistant accountant
Jamie Mullins	....	production assistant
Alexandra E. Newman	....	animal trainer (as Alex Newman)
Michael Nickodem	....	assistant location manager
Maria Poulathas	....	production assistant
Chris Rossman	....	production assistant
Shea Rowan	....	production assistant
Charlie Sammut	....	animal trainer (as Charle Sammut)
Jamie Sheridan	....	production assistant (as James Sheridan)
Niki Strippoli	....	production assistant
David Tain	....	production assistant
Shawnna Thibodeau	....	production assistant
Gilbert S. Williams	....	production assistant (as Gil Williams)
H. Leah Amir	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Nigel Arscott	....	assistant location manager: Florida (uncredited)
Robert Cahoon	....	production secretary: second unit (uncredited)
Al Cerullo	....	helicopter pilot (uncredited)
Jeff Chena	....	stand-in: Mr. Depp (uncredited)
Stefan Ashton Frank	....	adr loop group (uncredited)
Ryan R. Johnson	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Elayne Keratsis	....	production coordinator: Florida (uncredited)
Ian MacGregor	....	location assistant (uncredited)
Kurt Mattila	....	title designer (uncredited)
Emily Samantha Sherman	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Sherrill Smith	....	assistant location manager (uncredited)
Frank Venegas	....	set production assistant (uncredited)
Rick Washburn	....	weapons coordinator (uncredited)
Leah Weintraub	....	assistant location manager (uncredited)
Pamela Lyn Weiss	....	additional set production assistant (uncredited)
Tim Wilson	....	utility stand-in (uncredited)
Joseph Zolfo	....	location assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
James Flamberg	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• TriStar Pictures
• Mandalay Entertainment
• Baltimore Pictures
• Mark Johnson Productions

Distributors

• TriStar Pictures (1997) (USA) (theatrical) (a Sony Pictures Entertainment company)
• TriPictures (1997) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Constantin Film (1997) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Concorde Film (1997) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Roadshow Entertainment (1997) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Vitória Filmes (1997) (Portugal) (theatrical)
• Líder Films (1997) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Toho-Towa (1997) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Finnkino (1997) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Intersonic (1997) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (1998) (USA) (DVD) (VHS)
• Egmont Entertainment (1997) (Finland) (VHS)
• Egmont Entertainment (????) (Finland) (DVD)
• Egmont Film (1997) (Sweden) (VHS)
• Gativideo (199?) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Indies Home Entertainment (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (2000) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Nelonen (2001) (Finland) (TV)
• Nordisk Film (2003) (Finland) (DVD)
• Paris Vídeo (Brazil) (DVD)
• Paris Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Roadshow Entertainment Video (Australia) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (1997) (Netherlands) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Animal Actors  animal provided by
• Broward County Office of Economic Development  special thanks (as Broward, Florida Economic Development Council Inc.)
• Coast to Coast Catering  catering
• Cop Shop Miami  police cars (uncredited)
• DLT Entertainment  "Three's Company" clip provided courtesy of
• Florida Motion Picture and Television Bureau, The  special thanks
• Goldcrest Post Production London  post-production facilities (as Goldcrest Post Production)
• Hollywood Records  soundtrack available on
• Imaginary Forces  main title sequence
• Mike Fraser  negative cutting
• New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theater & Broadcasting, The  special thanks
• Panavision  cameras and lenses
• Peerless Camera Company  optical effects (as Peerless Camera Co.)
• Sapex Scripts  post-production services
• Sylvia Fay/Lee Genick & Associates Casting  extras casting
• Technicolor  color
• Twickenham Film Studios  sound facilities (as Twickenham Film Studios)

MPAA:

Rated R for some strong graphic violence, pervasive strong language and brief nudity and sexuality.

Runtime:

127 min | 147 min (extended cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #34334) | Norway:15 (DVD rating) | Iceland:16 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:15 | New Zealand:R16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Belgium:KT | Canada:18A (video rating) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:16 (bw) | Mexico:B | Netherlands:16 | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18

Filming Locations:

59th Street Bridge, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

TriStar Pictures

Trivia:

Lefty's real name is Benjamin which, in Hebrew, means "son of the right hand".

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Many '90s models cars and trinkets visible.

Quotes:

Sonny Black: I like it. I like it big time!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Big Apple: No Good Deed (#1.3)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Happiness

Al Pacino's Best Movie

Yes, I am going to make the bold claim that this is his best work. "Are you talking about the same Al Pacino that did Scarface, Heat, AND the Godfather movies" you ask. Yes, yes, and let me explain myself. First of all, I want to add that I LOVE Pacino's work. He has such a commanding presence on screen and nobody in cinematic history can scream as well as him (though Gene Hackman is damn good). He can scare the hell out of you with just one crazed look in his eye and he never gives a flat performance (well, except in Revolution).

Having said that, I think Pacino is incredible in this flick because his character is so understated. While his work often consists of playing flamboyant, over-the-top, and almost cartoonish figures(especially in Scarface and The Devil's Advocate), this film is a change of pace for him. Sure, he's still playing a mobster, but he's not as psychotic as usual, and for once, you get to see the inner struggles of a crook who deep down has a heart of gold (despite all of the murders). Pacino is perfect as Lefty, an aging crimical who wants out of the mob lifestyle, but doesn't know how to do it. Though you see the fast and fun world of mobsters in flicks like Goodfellas, this film gives you a sense that the mob life isn't that glamorous.

Along with Pacino's acting, Johnny Depp is delectable as Joe Pistone (Donnie Brasco) because you can see his inner torment as well. He knows that he's been assigned to infiltrate the New York mob scene, but he develops such a close bond with Lefty that it's almost hard to bring him down. A very real, human relationship permeates between the two that is very moving. I like how the characters are always joking about being a "wise guy," as it provides some light chuckles, and it also shows that in order to live this lifestyle, you've gotta talk tough and act tough (as if I would know what that's like).

The supporting cast is particularly noteworthy. Bruno Kirby plays a great weasel, Anne Heche is wonderful as Pistone's neurotic wife (you can understand her suffering, what with being married to an FBI special agent) and Michael Madsen is reliable, once again, as a mobster (honestly, does this guy do anything besides gangster or sci-fi flicks?). Every time I watch this movie I am breathless afterwards. The acting is wonderful, the music is superb, and frankly, I can't believe this stuff actually happened. Then again, I haven't read the book, so I don't know how much of it is true.

Overall, this movie gets 10 out of 10. I'm shocked it doesn't get more recognition, especially with such prolific actors as Pacino and Depp leading the way. This is a different kind of mob movie, as it shows a more somber side to this way of life, and I recommend it unequivocally.