User Reviews

Don't waste your time watching this "documentary" unless you want to see how to turn 2 minutes of archival footage into 23 minutes of badly shot, poorly edited, and HORRIBLE sound quality production – although the interviews were vaguely interesting even if they barely address the topic. How many different effects can you put one piece of footage through, and how many times can you show the same clip? Find out as you watch the same archival clip played over and over and over again with effects that will cause seizures. Be prepared to ride the volume control because apparently the filmmakers haven't learned how to adjust the audio track yet. The production company is called Grainy Pictures which is appropriate as most of the shots looked like watching television through a snow globe. Finally, the reenactments from the film Casino were insipid and look like a high school project. Honestly, I wonder if they were actually granted the rights to include the footage from the movie and television interview of the book's author or if they're violating the copyrights.

I got a chance to see this film on PBS and I thought it was one of the better things I'd seen on tv in awhile. Really seeks to explore the whole reality behind the mob in Chicago. It makes alot of interesting points about the real characters in the film Casino, and them being from the windy city. It adds depth and texture to the film. In some ways it was even more compelling for me as i got to know more about the lifestyle and the family members of those involved. It also takes some of the glamour away from the characters and sometimes the way Scorsese presents these people. great film for mob fans and fans of scorsese or Deniro. Also, very cool stylistically doesn't feel like a stuffy kind of educational documentary.

this was a good film that i found to be very chilling at times. the people were fascinating and the stories very compelling. pretty well made but a little dark at times in lighting. would have liked it to be longer could have watched it for hours the stories were so interesting. much better than a lot of the mob films i've seen because this is real not just a bunch of actors who are sort of wannabe's. I find this kind of thing the antidote to the glamor of the mob and mob type films. much more sophisticated than a lot of reality based films too. this kind of film makes a good case for the rise of documentaries and their growing popularity. also even though it was not as long as I would have liked, it makes up for so many films that are just way too long. good work.

I feel I was let in on a secret I didn't want to know about. Compelling, disturbing, and ultimately sad to see the reality behind these damaged people. But, still peppered with a few humorous dashes like the "Rat a Tat Tat" cutaway. For a doc pretty stylish in both the camera work and editing. The cinematography was very well presented. Fast scene changes evoked the warning of watch your back. Unexpected movements in the film highlighted the dangerous and violent theme of mobster life. Fitting the topic, the film was also a little dark. Shifts from color to black and white were dramatic and well placed. The Real Casino was an interesting and entertaining look at how real mobsters rationalize their environment and justify their lives. A must for anyone into mob lore. Check out both the deleted scenes and the making of...

This documentary looks at the mob differently than the normal, Hollywoodized, glamorized view. The best part is an interview in it with a real gangster. The guy's drinking and smoking a cigar and his face is obscured because he doesn't want to be murdered for what he's talking about. This guy is the real deal, a real thug. And the dialogue with him is fascinating. This documentary is great for anybody seeking the truth.

In Hollywood these type of guys are made to appear good and cool, but this documentary shows that usually they're just completely nuts. There's another great part in this where the filmmakers interview a store owner who didn't want to give the mob any protection money. This man is an Italian who never wanted anything to do with the mob. His point of view is a very interesting look at the dichotomy that exists for many Italians living in America.