Gangster movies have long been a staple of cinema, captivating audiences with their tales of crime, power, and betrayal. While these films often feature brutal violence, some character deaths stand out as shockingly creative and unforgettable. From legendary directors like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese, the crime genre has produced some of the most iconic and well-regarded films in cinematic history. These movies allow viewers to step into a world of danger and opulence, where the consequences of criminal actions can be both savage and stylish.
Superintendent Wong Drops Off The Roof (Infernal Affairs)
Infernal Affairs, a Hong Kong gangster masterpiece later adapted into the American film The Departed, introduces us to Superintendent Wong, portrayed brilliantly by Anthony Wong. Superintendent Wong’s character was the blueprint for Martin Sheen’s Captain Queenan in Scorsese’s remake. Rooting for him is effortless, and his character even received a prequel film, Infernal Affairs II. Wong’s death echoes Queenan’s fate in The Departed, as he is ruthlessly thrown off a rooftop, landing shockingly on a car just behind the film’s intense climax. It’s a moment that leaves a lasting impact, showcasing the unforgiving nature of the criminal underworld.
Dominic Is Killed Trying To Run (Once Upon A Time In America)
Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in America is a unique addition to the gangster genre, offering a comprehensive exploration of its characters’ lives, from their youth to adulthood. In a heart-wrenching scene, Dominic, one of the group’s children, meets a tragic end, gunned down in the arms of the film’s main character, “Noodles.” This pivotal moment alters the course of their lives forever, underscoring the brutal and unpredictable nature of the criminal world.
Billy Batts’ Homecoming (Goodfellas)
Frank Vincent, a seasoned actor in crime projects, left an indelible mark with his role as Billy Batts in Goodfellas, Casino, and The Sopranos. In Goodfellas, Billy Batts meets his demise at the hands of Joe Pesci’s Tommy DeVito, a character known for his volatility. What begins as a heated exchange escalates into a merciless beating as Billy insults Tommy one too many times. To compound the brutality, Billy Batts is placed in the trunk of a car, presumed dead. However, when they discover he’s still alive, Tommy and his associates resort to multiple stabbings and gunshots to finish the grisly job. It’s a chilling example of overkill for the sake of settling a score.
Fredo Corleone On The Lake (The Godfather Part II)
Fredo Corleone, a character with redeeming qualities but lacking the mettle to lead the Corleone family, succumbs to resentment in The Godfather Part II. Despite numerous attempts to earn his place, Fredo’s ambition leads him to betray his brother Michael, resulting in a heart-wrenching and emotionally brutal death. While the execution itself is seemingly civil for a gangster film, the act of hiring an assassin to eliminate one’s own flesh and blood is a testament to the ruthlessness of the criminal world.
Calogero’s Friends (A Bronx Tale)
A Bronx Tale seamlessly combines a coming-of-age narrative with the intensity of a gangster thriller. Among its most distressing scenes is the horrifying demise of Calogero’s friends, who perish in a blazing car. The violence erupts from the racial tensions simmering in their neighborhood, as Calogero’s Italian gang ventures into an African-American area armed with Molotov cocktails. Tragically, one of the incendiary devices is hurled back into their vehicle, engulfing it in flames and claiming the lives of all inside. Calogero narrowly escapes death, saved by Sonny just moments before the fiery inferno consumes the car.
Mr. Orange & Mr. White (Reservoir Dogs)
Quentin Tarantino’s debut feature, Reservoir Dogs, offers a riveting gangster plot that unfolds primarily within the confines of a single location. Mr. Orange spends the majority of the film bleeding from a gunshot wound, forming an unlikely friendship with Mr. White as they grapple with the revelation of a police informant within their ranks. In a gut-wrenching climax, Mr. Orange, resigned to his impending demise, decides to reveal his true identity as an undercover cop to Mr. White. Feeling betrayed and cornered, Mr. White delivers a fatal shot to Mr. Orange before meeting his own demise at the hands of the police. It’s a brutal and emotionally charged sequence that underscores the treacherous nature of the criminal underworld.
Billy Costigan In The Elevator (The Departed)
The Departed, a high-stakes cat-and-mouse crime thriller from Martin Scorsese, delivers a gripping showdown between its protagonists, Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon). While Billy may not be the most likable character, he pales in comparison to the duplicitous Colin. In the film’s climactic rooftop confrontation, Billy apprehends Colin, intending to bring him in handcuffed. However, an unexpected third party intervenes as the elevator doors open on the first floor, instantly executing Billy with a gunshot to the head. While Billy’s loss is heart-wrenching, it’s a small consolation knowing that Colin eventually faces retribution for his betrayal.
Angel Gets Sawed (Scarface)
Scarface, renowned for its unrelenting violence, features a death that wouldn’t be out of place in a horror film. Tony Montana (Al Pacino) is forced to witness the brutal murder of his friend Angel during a botched cocaine deal. Angel is suspended, his mouth taped shut, and his limbs exposed to a chainsaw. Tony watches in stunned horror as his friend endures a gruesome and agonizing death, blood splattering in every direction. This visceral scene serves as a stark reminder of the brutality that pervades the world of organized crime.
Sonny Corleone’s Toll Booth (The Godfather)
Sonny Corleone, a character marked by his brutality, is clearly ill-suited for the role of Corleone family boss. It becomes evident that his demise is necessary to make room for Michael as the new leader. Sonny is lured away from the safety of the family compound during a gang war under the guise of protecting his sister Connie from her abusive husband. Unbeknownst to Sonny, this is a trap set by the Barzini crime family. He is ambushed at a toll booth and ruthlessly gunned down, his life extinguished in a hail of bullets. Sonny’s death serves as a brutal reminder of the treacherous and unforgiving world he inhabited.
Nicky Santoro Gets Whacked (Casino)
While Casino may not always receive the same acclaim as Goodfellas in Martin Scorsese’s filmography, it boasts one of the most brutal and memorable deaths in the gangster movie genre. Nicky Santoro, portrayed by Joe Pesci, is subjected to a harrowing demise orchestrated by his own mob superiors. Nicky and his brother are taken to a desolate cornfield under the guise of a routine meeting, only to be viciously ambushed. Nicky is forced to watch in terror as his brother endures a savage beating with a metal baseball bat in a chilling and gruesome scene that is difficult to watch. The brutality doesn’t stop there, as Nicky himself is then subjected to a brutal beating before both brothers are buried alive to ensure their complete annihilation. It’s a harrowing reminder of the merciless hierarchy and betrayal that often defines the criminal underworld.
Conclusion
In the realm of gangster cinema, character deaths hold a special place, often serving as pivotal moments that shape the narrative and characters’ destinies. These ten brutal deaths, ranked by their impact and intensity, exemplify the raw power of the genre. From rooftop tosses to toll booth ambushes, these scenes linger in the minds of viewers, showcasing the relentless brutality, moral ambiguity, and unyielding tension that define the world of organized crime on the silver screen.
Gangster movies continue to captivate audiences by exploring the dark and dangerous aspects of human nature. They offer a glimpse into a world where power, betrayal, and violence reign supreme, leaving indelible impressions through unforgettable character deaths. Whether through shocking creativity or emotional intensity, these cinematic moments remind us of the enduring allure of gangster films and their ability to both repel and enthrall.