The Valachi Papers (1972)

53% of users liked it
(987 ratings)

This crime action movie is based on Peter Maas' best-selling book The Valachi Papers. That book, in turn, is based on prison conversations and the actual U.S. Senate testimony of Joseph Valachi, a high-ranking figure in the Mafia. The book, which tells precisely who did what to whom, when and why,… More This crime action movie is based on Peter Maas' best-selling book The Valachi Papers. That book, in turn, is based on prison conversations and the actual U.S. Senate testimony of Joseph Valachi, a high-ranking figure in the Mafia. The book, which tells precisely who did what to whom, when and why, electrified the nation. This film had to be made in Italy, because attempts to shoot in the U.S. were stymied by mob-arranged "accidents" and protests. The story is told in flashback as Valachi (Charles Bronson) tells a Federal agent about his activities from 1929 to 1961, when he worked for the Capo of Capos, Vito Genovese (Lino Ventura). Though his tale necessarily takes place in a number of episodes, it never fails to have lots of drama and action. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 3 min.
Directed By: Terence Young
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1972 Wide
On DVD: Jan 3, 2006

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

As a mob history lesson, The Valachi Papers gets a B minus, as a film it rates a solid C. The characters, especially the Italians, are reduced to thin characterizations. At times, its as though the Super Mario Brothers are recreating scenes from The… More
As a mob history lesson, The Valachi Papers gets a B minus, as a film it rates a solid C. The characters, especially the Italians, are reduced to thin characterizations. At times, its as though the Super Mario Brothers are recreating scenes from The Godfather or Goodfellas. The accents, and the mustaches, are just that cheesy. Still, Bronson presents an intriguing, albeit romanticized, representation of real-life mob hitman Joseph Valachi. It's interesting to note that the film's production had to be halted in the U.S. because it became too dangerous to continue. Apparently certain powerful entities didn't want the story told. It was completed in Europe.
Mister C

Classic Charles Bronson. It doesn't get any better than this. In other words,don't fuck with Chuck.