Sean Penn in Gangster Squad
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 Squad - 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.
Cinema’s fascination with the gangster genre spans almost a century and has allowed some of history’s greatest acting talent a pedestal to showcase their skills.
To celebrate the release of Gangster Squad, we invite you on a journey through the greatest gangster performances ever.
10. James Cagney as Tom Powers in
The Public Enemy
James Cagney’s loose-lipped, tight-fisted Tom Powers is the celebrated actor’s 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: "I didn’t ask you for any lip. I asked if you had a drink"
9. 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 girlfriend’s face and uses violence to hide his human inadequacies.
A true sadist riddled with major character deficiencies all combine to create one of cinema’s greatest bad guys of all time.
Memorable quote: "Hey, that’s nice perfume"
Click here to buy The Big Heat on DVD
8. 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: "As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a gangster"
Click here to buy Goodfellas on DVD
7. 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: "From 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."
Click here to buy King Of New York on DVD
6. Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito in
Goodfellas
A pint-sized, foul mouthed, out-of-control villain, Pesci’s real-life gangster Tommy DeVito is not one to mess with. It’s 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 'you think I’m funny?' scene when it was shot as legendary director Martin Scorsese wanted genuine reactions from the rest of the cast.
Memorable quote: "Funny how... How am I funny? Funny like I’m a clown... like I amuse you?"
Click here to buy Goodfellas on DVD
5. Al Pacino as Carlito Brigante in
Carlito’s Way
Al Pacino stars as a man desperate for redemption after being released from prison. Slowly he reacts to the realisation that he can’t escape his past, and that it will cost him the woman he loves. Pacino’s portrayal of Carlito remains one of his most heartfelt and memorable to date.
Memorable quote: "The dream don't come no closer by itself. We gotta run after it now."
Click here to buy Carlito’s Way on DVD
4. Robert DeNiro as Noodles in
Once Upon A Time In America
Robert DeNiro’s 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: "I 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-on"
Click here to buy Once Upon A Time In America on DVD
3. 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 doesn’t think twice about wielding a chainsaw, but it’s the machine gun he lives and dies by.
Memorable quote: "I always tell the truth, even when I lie"
Click here to buy Scarface on DVD
2. Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone in
The Godfather
Marlon Brando knew how to draw a fine line between hero and criminal and with The Godfather he embodied the defining mafia crime boss - the yardstick every actor has aimed for since.
Reportedly, Brando wanted Corleone to 'look like a bulldog' 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: "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse"
Click here to buy The Godfather on DVD
1. Sean Penn as Mickey Cohen in
Gangster Squad
One of Hollywood’s 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: "A cop that can’t be bought is like a dog with rabies, there’s no medicine for it, you just gotta put it down."
Gangster Squad is released in UK cinemas from 10th January