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Rating:  - Okay movie, could have been better
In some ways, I am grateful that Bonanno was cut down to just over two hours for the video release. But then again, I do miss the long, five-hour version that originally aired on Showtime.
The movie itself is fine, considering how long it once was and the subject matter, as well as the slow pace. However, there are some things that are left to be desired, like the two and a half hours that were cut out for the video release. I hope that if it's released to DVD, that it will contain the extra footage.
Rating:  - This movie sucks!
This Joe Bannano bio is a waste of a movie. First of all, it is highly unbleivable. Yes, I understand that the Mafia legend is one of sophisticated influence over many historic 20th centurary events, and while there may be some level of truth to these assertions, little has been proven to the level this movie would have you believe. In addition, it is boring as a movie in and of itself. I only found out through other reviews that the original version was 4 hours long. Perhaps, that would have made for a more coherent and enjoyable picture, however as is, I would not recomend a purcahse of this video.
pickledjoe
Rating: - Awfull - A Cheap Godfather Imitation
Joe Bonanno was a cheap hood, plain and simple, and Cosa Nostra was/is a gang of violent, mainly unsophisticated hoods growing up on the wrong side of the tracks. What we see in this film, showing knightly Dons following noble principals of chivalry in their decision making -- who to bump off and how -- is utter nonesene.
This film is not only filled with fantasies pawned off as historical events and unproven inuendos, such as the tired old one of Joe Kennedy knowing and collaborating with every Mafia hood personally (I have nerver seen any real evidence of this), it is also a bad movie. So bad in fact, that Landau's portrayal of the dying Don running around in a Sicillian grave yard as he recalls his lusterous past reminded me of his role as Bela Lugosi running around the Grave Yard set for the equally bad 'Plan Nine from Outerspace', as seen in the rather enjoyable 'Ed Wood'.
What most galls me is that Bonanno seems to have been involved in every major mob historic event, true or porported, from the Castellmarese wars to the JFK hit. In fact, reputable works on Organized Crime indicate Bonanno had little, if any involvment other than peripherally in many of the scenes depicted in the film.
I think an additional two hours tacked on to this film would just make it a longer bad film. Yet, some people it seems would perfer the myth to reality. If so, please remind yourself that it is just that.
Rating:  - under rated godfather
I noticed that the average review was less than 2 stars. That I can not understand. If you want the best true life godfather movie than this is it. Not GOTTI. Bonanno tells mafia history as well as american history better than anyone so far. He probably did not tell the whole truth because he did not want to make him self look bad but who does. Great movie anyway.
Rating: - DISAPPOINTING
The original on Showtime was great, this one sucks, they edited out over 2 hours, very disappointing. Maybe they will release the full movie and add some "volumes", tapes are not that expensive!
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