In 1949, Los Angeles was under the corrupt control of Mickey Cohen. As he plans to expand his influence across the west coast, a covert squad of LAPD officers team up to end his reign of terror once and for all.Gangster SquadĀ ā in UK cinemas 10th January 2013 – is a gangster film for a new generation, starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Josh Brolin and, as the iconic mob boss Mickey Cohen, Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn.
Cinemaās fascination with the gangster genre spans almost a century and has allowed some of historyās greatest acting talent a pedestal to showcase their skills.
To celebrate the release ofĀ Gangster Squad, we invite you on a journey through the greatest gangster performances ever.
James Cagney as Tom Powers in The Public Enemy
James Cagneyās loose-lipped, tight-fisted Tom Powers is the celebrated actorās most ruthless screen incarnation. As Powers rises up through the gangster ranks, he becomes more brazen in what he is willing to do, and more obstinate and violent against those who either disagree with him or cross him.
Memorable quote: āā¦ I didnāt ask you for any lip. I asked if you had a drinkā
Lee Marvin as Vince Stone in The Big Heat
One of cinemas most iconic hard-men plays the role he was made for in Vince Stone, who will casually throw hot coffee in his girlfriendās face and uses violence to hide his human inadequacies. A true sadist riddled with major character deficiencies all combine to create one of cinemaās greatest bad guys of all time.
Memorable quote: āHey, thatās nice perfumeā
Ray Liotta as Henry Hill in Goodfellas
Ruthless criminal? Violent wannabe? Whistle-blower? Liotta will never top his sensational performance as real-life mafia gangster Henry Hill. The gangster had it all, but his growing paranoia reaches boiling point when he finds himself on the wrong side of his supposed friends. Memorable quote: āAs far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a gangsterā
Christopher Walken as Frank White in King Of New York
Christopher Walken shows his trademark eccentric style in creating the ultimate modern-day Robin Hood. The actor plays New York drug lord Frank White who, after being released from prison, becomes determined to wipe out the competition, yet instead of keeping the profits he distributes them to poor New Yorkers. Controversial director Abel Ferrara gave Walken free reign which allowed one of his best performances to date.
Memorable quote: āFrom now on, nothing goes down unless I’m involved. No blackjack no dope deals, no nothing. A nickel bag gets sold in the park, I want in. You guys got fat while everybody starved on the street. Now it’s my turn.ā
Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas
A pint-sized, foul mouthed, out-of-control villain, Pesciās real-life gangster Tommy DeVito is not one to mess with. Itās easy to laugh along with his insane antics on screen but audiences learn very quickly not to crack a smile at the man in person. Only Pesci and Ray Liotta knew about the famous āyou think Iām funny?ā scene when it was shot as legendary director Martin Scorsese wanted genuine reactions from the rest of the cast.
Memorable quote: āFunny howā¦ How am I funny? Funny like Iām a clownā¦ like I amuse you?ā
Al Pacino as Carlito Brigante in Carlitos Way
Al Pacino stars as a man desperate for redemption after being released from prison. Slowly he reacts to the realisation that he canāt escape his past, and that it will cost him the woman he loves. Pacinoās portrayal of Carlito remains one of his most heartfelt and memorable to date.
Memorable quote: āThe dream don’t come no closer by itself. We gotta run after it now.ā
Robert DeNiro as Noodles in Once Upon A Time In America
Robert DeNiroās Noodles returns to New York after 30 years to find that the ghosts of his former gangster life still haunt the streets. His stellar performance is so effective in that he walks through each scene like an apparition, a shadow of the man he was, struggling to face his past.
Memorable quote: āI like the stink of the streets. It makes me feel good. And I like the smell of it, it opens up my lungs. And it gives me a hard-onā
Al Pacino as Tony Montana in Scarface
The perennial gangster, Al Pacino played Tony Montana as a wild, bordering on insane, violent criminal. Montana approaches the sunny Miami coastline like a destructive hurricane, leaving chaos in his wake. Unhinged and ferocious, he doesnāt think twice about wielding a chainsaw, but itās the machine gun he lives and dies by.
Memorable quote: āI always tell the truth, even when I lieā
Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather
Marlon Brando knew how to draw a fine line between hero and criminal and withĀ The GodfatherĀ he embodied the defining mafia crime boss – the yardstick every actor has aimed for since. Reportedly, Brando wanted Corleone to ālook like a bulldogā so stuffed his cheeks with cotton wool to audition; director Francis Ford Coppola loved it and had a mouthpiece made by a dentist for filming. Memorable quote: āI’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuseā
Sean Penn as Mickey Cohen in Gangster Squad
One of Hollywoodās most gifted actors, Sean Penn is well known for playing unsympathetic, cruel characters with depth. As renowned gangster Mickey Cohen, who ran Los Angeles with help from loyal goons, corrupt cops and paid politicians, Penn is at his violent best. Cohen at his core was a warrior, and he was not about to give up the West Coast to the LAPD without a fight.
Memorable quote: āA cop that canāt be bought is like a dog with rabies, thereās no medicine for it, you just gotta put it down.ā
‘Gangster Squad’ is in UK cinemas from January 10th