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Gotti (1996 film)

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For the 2018 film of the same name, see Gotti (2018 film).
Gotti
DVD cover
Based on
Gotti: Rise and Fall
by
Written bySteve Shagan
Directed byRobert Harmon
Starring
Music byMark Isham
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerGary Lucchesi
ProducerDavid Coatsworth
CinematographyAlar Kivilo
EditorZach Staenberg
Running time116 minutes
Production companyHBO Pictures
Original release
NetworkHBO
ReleaseAugust 17, 1996 (1996-08-17)

Gotti is a 1996 American crime drama television film directed by Robert Harmon and written by Steve Shagan, based in part on the 1996 non-fiction book Gotti: Rise and Fall by Jerry Capeci and Gene Mustain. The film stars Armand Assante in the title role as infamous Gambino crime family boss John Gotti, along with William Forsythe, and Anthony Quinn. It aired on HBO on August 17, 1996.

Assante won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special for his performance. Assante received nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie the same year.

Plot

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The film starts In 1973 in New York, and ends in 1992, with Gotti's imprisonment. Gotti's association with three mobsters is also highlighted in the film: a father-son like relationship with Gambino underboss Aniello "Neil" Dellacroce, his deep but rocky friendship with Gotti crew member and longtime friend Angelo Ruggiero, and the respect and ultimate frustration that he felt for the man who became his underboss, Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano.

The film details Gotti's rise within the Gambino crime family, as an unofficial soldier (soldato) sent to prison following the murder of James McBratney, then being promoted to captain (or capo) after Neil's retirement, and finally becoming boss of the family by arranging a hit on "Big" Paul Castellano in 1985. Following the murder of Castellano, the film concentrates on the legal trials of John Gotti: one for assault and two for racketeering under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statutes.

Gotti's famous personality, trial acquittals, and media attention are all dramatized. The film ends with Gotti's conviction and sentencing to life imprisonment at Marion Federal Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois when Gravano turns state's evidence and agrees to testify against Gotti in exchange for witness protection. The film is primarily based on the columns of reporter Jerry Capeci, who also wrote the novel that documented Gotti's rise and fall inside the Gambino crime family and served as executive producer of the film which was based on his novel.

Cast

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Production

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Shooting took place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[1] Assante put on 35 pounds to play Gotti.[2]

Reception

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On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 60% rating based on five reviews, with an average rating of 5.20/10.[3] Jeremy Girard of Variety called it "a fairly standard-issue gangster flick" that is problematic for its matter-of-fact presentation.[4] Caryn James of The New York Times criticized its "docudrama syndrome", in which biographical dramas adhere closely to the historical record to prevent lawsuits despite the need for more characterization.[5]

Howard Rosenberg of the Los Angeles Times called it "one of the better mob movies of the decade, and surely the best gangster portrait ever made primarily for television".[6] TV Guide rated it 2/5 stars and described it as too detailed for casual viewers and too inaccurate for enthusiasts.[7]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
1997
 American Cinema Editors Awards Best Edited Two-Hour Movie for Non-Commercial Television Zach Staenberg Won [8]
American Society of Cinematographers Awards Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Movie of the Week or Pilot Alar Kivilo Nominated [9]
Artios Awards Outstanding Achievement in Movie of the Week Casting Avy Kaufman Nominated [10]
Cairo International Film Festival Golden Pyramid Award Robert Harmon Nominated
Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials Nominated [11]
Golden Globe Awards Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominated [12]
Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Armand Assante Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Anthony Quinn Nominated
Golden Reel Awards Best Sound Editing – Music – Television Movies of the Week, Pilots or Miniseries Bill Abbott Nominated [13]
Online Film & Television Association Awards Best Motion Picture Made for Television Nominated [14]
Best Music in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Mark Isham Nominated
Best New Theme Song in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Nominated
Best New Titles Sequence in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Made for Television Movie Gary Lucchesi, David Coatsworth,
and Robert McMinn 		Nominated [15]
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special Armand Assante Won
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or a Special Robert Harmon Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries or a Special Steve Shagan Nominated
Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or a Special Alar Kivilo Nominated
Outstanding Editing for a Miniseries or a Special – Single Camera Production Zach Staenberg Nominated
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Miniseries or a Special Robert W. Glass Jr., Ezra Dweck,
Dan Wallin, and David Lee 		Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Anthony Quinn Nominated [16]
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Armand Assante Nominated [17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Blumenthal, Ralph (1996-08-11). "Best-Dressed Don Inspires a Drama". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  2. ^ Randle, Nancy Jalasca (1996-08-16). "The Muscle Behind 'Gotti'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  3. ^ "Gotti (1996)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  4. ^ Gerard, Jeremy (1996-08-12). "Review: 'Gotti'". Variety. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  5. ^ James, Caryn (1996-08-17). "Making and Unmaking Of a Made Man: Gotti". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  6. ^ Rosenberg, Howard (1996-08-17). "Sincerely Sinister". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  7. ^ "Gotti". TV Guide. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  8. ^ "Nominees/Winners". IMDb. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  9. ^ "The ASC Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography". American Society of Cinematographers. Archived from the original on 2011-08-02.
  10. ^ "1997 Artios Awards". Casting Society of America. November 12, 1997. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  11. ^ "49th DGA Awards". Directors Guild of America Awards. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  12. ^ "Gotti". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  13. ^ Variety Staff (March 4, 1997). "Sound editors bow Golden Reel noms". Variety. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  14. ^ "1st Annual TV Awards (1996-97)". Online Film & Television Association. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  15. ^ "Gotti". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  16. ^ "International Press Academy website – 1997 1st Annual SATELLITE Awards". Archived from the original on February 1, 2008.
  17. ^ "The 3rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
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