IMDb > Donnie Brasco (1997)
Donnie Brasco
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Donnie Brasco (1997) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 8)
Donnie Brasco (1997) -- An FBI undercover agent infilitrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life to the expense of his regular one.
Donnie Brasco (1997) -- An FBI undercover agent infilitrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life to the expense of his regular one.
Donnie Brasco (1997) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   59,238 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 17% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Joseph D. Pistone (book) and
Richard Woodley (book) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for Donnie Brasco on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
28 February 1997 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Donnie Brasco. Based On A True Story. more
Plot:
An FBI undercover agent infilitrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life to the expense of his regular one. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(49 articles)
Alan Greenspan Joins Cork Media Panel
 (From IFTN. 4 November 2009, 11:26 PM, PST)

International Trailer: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
 (From HeyUGuys. 3 November 2009, 2:44 AM, PST)

User Comments:
A good gangster film with strong emotional under currents more (179 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

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)
Create a character page for: ?

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
 
Crew verified as complete


Production CompaniesDistributorsOther Companies
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for some strong graphic violence, pervasive strong language and brief nudity and sexuality.
Runtime:
127 min | 147 min (extended cut)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The film's version of "Lefty" Ruggiero is an amalgam of the real "Lefty" and the real "Sonny Black" Napolitano. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When the crew is on the boat in Florida it is daytime but the shot of the women dancing on the deck is obviously sunset and then it goes back to daytime when Donnie and Lefty are talking. more
Quotes:
Sonny Black: I like it. I like it big time! more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Don't Bring Me Down more

FAQ

What are the differences between the Theatrical Version and the Extended Cut?
more
78 out of 85 people found the following comment useful.
A good gangster film with strong emotional under currents, 2 May 2004
Author: bob the moo from Birmingham, UK

In the late 1970's, FBI agent Joe Pistone poses as jewel expert Donnie Brasco to win the trust of ageing mob middleman Lefty Ruggiero. As time passes Donnie gets tighter and tighter into the mob, rising up when boss Sonny Black gets bumped up. While Donnie puts his life at risk, his real life crumbles as he never sees his wife or children. As he moves upwards, his friend Lefty is bypassed time and time again. As Donnie gets deeper, the FBI start to worry and want to extract him - something that cannot be done without exposing himself and condemning Lefty to death.

Now that Pirates of the Caribean has made him a bankable star as well as a good actor I decided to dig out some of my old Depp videos and watch them. I have been a Depp fan since the mid-90's when I saw Arizona Dream, Ed Wood and Don Juan all in a period of 6 months -I realised then that this was not only a very talented guy but also one who seemed happy to do whatever interested him rather than whatever was going to make money. This film is in a well known and fairly reliable genre - the Italian American gangster movie but has the strength that it is an engaging true story. The plot follows Joe as he gets in deeper, is suspected, gets involved in battles between bosses and eventually starts to lose himself and forget what side he is actually on. Even though this is a true story, it still basically goes where we expect mob films to go, but it manages to rise above the clichés by having some very good characters and emotional themes.

The whole gangster thing works and is gripping, but it is the relationship dynamics between Joe and Lefty that made it more interesting. The element of going `native' when undercover has been done plenty of times, but it is the combination of this being fact and Depp's great performance that makes it work well here; we feel for Joe a great deal. On the flipside the film also allows us to feel for the mob, or at least one of them. The majority of the mobsters are the usual stereotypes but Lefty is written with a great deal of sympathy - he is a middleman, taking the risks, doing the dirt but always passed over and having to beg money to keep his bosses happy. These are tragic characters and the film is not the slightly glamorous gangster lifestyle that Pacino has experienced in his Godfather roles. These two characters are well written and it is their subplots that makes the film better than the central plot (which itself is also very good).

Depp is good and his performance is solid even if it doesn't really rank up their with his best - he lacks his usual flair but he gives the material it's dues. Pacino is of course, wonderful. His character is a far cry from his Godfather work and he manages to bring such pathos to Lefty that it is impossible not to feel for him. The support cast may not have as much in the way of character but they all do well in their roles. Madsen, Kirby, Ivanek, Heche, Miano and others all give good support, but it is Pacino and Depp's film - which is a good thing.

Overall, the fact that this is a true story makes it more interesting but, while I was watching it I wasn't really thinking about it and was just enjoying the gangster film itself. The basic story is a well worn one but is still delivery well by Newell (who was a very unusual choice for director), but it is the emotion threads involving Joe and Lefty that make the film much more than just another gangster film.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (179 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Donnie Brasco (1997)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
So Underrated! Ivysweet
Did the FBI really treat Pistone that poorly? plethorapat
Please Explain as I am a bit lost skc087
Why did he volunteer? Spread-numb
Something I don't understand... loriot-ludivine
Carlito's Way and Donnie Brasco kelgrim
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Goodfellas Casino American Gangster Scarface Carlito's Way
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Crime section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.