Numerous gangster movies have been released over the years, each trying to reach the bar set by classics in the genre. Most of them have been entertaining, but only a few are widely regarded as outstanding. These movies still trigger discussions online, with fans frequently debating about specific characters or scenes.
What mostly makes the fan-favorite gangster movies popular is the inclusion of several mind-blowing scenes. These scenes are brilliant because of the dialogue, tension, or impressive action sequences that can be found in them. However, there is always a single impressive moment that remains embedded in the memory.
Tommy DeVito Pretends To Be Angry - Goodfellas
In a scene that has the most exceptional line out of Goodfellas', mobster Tommy Devito narrates a hilarious story to his colleagues. When he finishes, the lead character Henry Hill acknowledges his sense of humor. But instead of taking it as a compliment, Tommy intimidates Henry, insisting to know what's so funny about him.
The tension in the scene is what makes it golden. Mobsters prefer to have a reputation of ruthlessness rather than humor, hence viewers buy into the suggestion that Tommy is actually angry for being called a funny guy. Since he's a loose cannon, the expectation is for him to pull the trigger or land blows on Henry, but he throws in a twist by claiming he was kidding.
Michael Corleone Shoots Captain McCluskey And Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo - The Godfather
One of the Corleone family's biggest enemies—the narcotics dealer, Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo—makes an attempt on Vito Corleone's life after the Don declines an offer to the drug trade. Michael thus takes it upon himself to exact revenge. He meets Sollozzo and his bodyguard, NYPDs Captain McCluskey, at a diner, pretending to want to talk reconciliation but instead shoots them both.
The scene marks Michael's transformation from an ordinary civilian to a stone-hearted mobster. It's cleverly executed since Michael is first frisked for weapons and considered harmless. Sollozzo and McCluskey then lower their guard, not knowing that Clemenza's men had hidden a gun in the washrooms. Michael doesn't just take the weapon and come back guns blazing either. He relaxes and thinks about it, the nervousness visible in his eyes before pulling the trigger.
Frank Lucas Shoots Tango In The Middle Of The Street - American Gangster
As Harlem's big-time heroin trafficker Frank Lucas is dining with his family at a restaurant, he spots Tango, a man that owes him money. He then steps out to demand payment and when Tango becomes rude, Frank shoots him in the head, right in the middle of the street.
It's the ultimate show of might by a gangster who is untouchable in his territory. Frank isn't afraid of witnesses. All he cares about is that Tango pays for disrespecting him. Furthermore, it's Frank's way of intimidating everyone around him and showing them that he needs to be respected and feared.
Al Capone Beats A Capo To Death With A Baseball Bat - The Untouchables
In what is one of the best movies about real-life organized crime, Al Capone invites all his capos to a banquet and starts cracking jokes while circling the table with a baseball bat. As one of the capos is busy laughing, the mob boss descends on him with the bat, bludgeoning him to death.
It's a terrifying moment yet so close to being historically accurate. In real-life, Capone actually bludgeoned 3 capos, namely Albert Anselmi, John Scalise, and Joseph "Hop Toad" Giunta. The instant switch from entertainer to a murderer is what makes the scene impossible to forget. The predictability of it all is cool rather than annoying. As the Chicago mob boss is walking around with a bat, it's obvious that he's going to do something. And when it does it, it still triggers chills.
Sam Rothstein Escapes Death By A Car Bomb - Casino
Mafia associate and Tangiers Casino manager Sam "Ace" Rothstein almost gets killed in a car bomb attached to the gasoline tank of his 1981 Cadillac Eldorado. Luckily, he manages to get out before the car is consumed in flames.
As Sam's car blows up, the camera examines every little detail, from the embers to the panic written all over the mobster's face. The scene is so perfect that the movie starts with it to hook viewers in. It's repeated later on, with some believing that Nicky was responsible for the bomb. Unfortunately, Nicky suffers a brutal death of his own before Sam can find out if it was him.
The Robbers Shoot Each Other - Reservoir Dogs
After conducting a diamond heist, a group of robbers suspects each other of treachery. This leads to a standoff, with all of them pointing guns at each other. When shots are fired, two die, and two get injured.
The standoff comes right in the dying minutes, reminding viewers how things can go wrong so quickly among criminals. The suspicion of treachery isn't founded either since one of the men named Orange is revealed to be an undercover officer. Another takes off with the jewelry after the death of his friends, without any form of remorse.
Tony Mows Down Sosa's Men With A Grenade Launcher - Scarface
When henchmen belonging to cocaine distributor Alejandro Sosa invade Tony Montana's house, he locks himself in his office where he grabs a grenade launcher. Shortly after, he yells "Say hello to my little friend," one of the best quotes in gangster movies, before firing at Sosa's men.
It's yet another gratifying way to wrap up the proceedings. After a lengthy rivalry between Tony and Sosa, the expectation is for the final showdown to be between the two men. Scarface does things differently by attempting to give Tony a one-man-army moment against Sosa's street soldiers before he is killed off.
The Dance Contest - Pulp Fiction
As his boss Marsellus Wallace is out of town, gangster Vincent Vega takes the boss' wife, Mia, to a '50s themed restaurant. There, they participate in a rather entertaining dance contest that is on odd to Travolta's appearance in Saturday Night Fever.
That the best part of Pulp Fiction is actually a dance scene is a testament to its overall quality. Most offerings in the genre tend to focus too much on the violence and forget to sprinkle in heart-warming moments. The twist dance involving Vincent and Mia serves as a welcome break from the gore, which comes in heavy doses.
The Rat At The Window - The Departed
In the final arc, Colin Sullivan gets back to his apartment after doing some shopping, thinking he has completed his mission. Sgt. Dignam, who had been waiting for him, guns him down before a rat is shown walking on the window.
There is major symbolism in the scene, with the rat's inclusion meant to show just how much betrayal there has been in the movie. Gangster Frank Castello has had men in the police force while police have had men in his organization too. Sullivan's death also highlights the fact that one is never too sure of victory in the underworld.
Buscemi Narrates The Bar Massacre - Desperado
Steve Buscemi keeps his name in the movie and in the opening sequence, he steps into the Tarasco bar in Mexico where he narrates to the bartender how a man with a guitar once massacred everyone at a bar he was in. As he narrates, flashback scenes show exactly what happened.
The narration prepares the audience for the introduction of both the protagonist, known as El Mariachi. Through the flashback scenes, he is shown killing lots of patrons all by himself before he ever says a word. As such as he is painted as a badass hero quickly, making viewers eager to see what he'll do next.
