The Valachi Papers
Seen it?1972 | 125 min | Crime, Drama
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With rough reviews, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans. If you loved GoodFellas or The Shawshank Redemption, start here. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
- The mood
- Dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 5 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Made in 1972: an older pace and style.
When Joe Valachi has a price put on his head by Don Vito Genovese, he must take desperate steps to protect himself while in prison. An unsuccessful attempt to slit his throat puts him over the edge to break the sacred code of silence.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsWeak
Mostly negative reviews
- AudiencesSolid
6.5 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 49K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Terence Young
- Charles BronsonJoe Valachi
- Lino VenturaVito Genovese
- Jill IrelandMaria Reina Valachi
- Walter ChiariDominick Petrilli, aka "Gap"
- Joseph WisemanSalvatore Maranzano
- Gerald S. O'LoughlinRyan, federal agent
- Amedeo NazzariGaetano Reina
- Fausto TozziAlbert Anastasia
- Pupella MaggioLetizia Reina
- Angelo InfantiLucky Luciano