The best gangster movies about real-life characters

There are many gangster and mafia movies that are classics of world cinema. Godfather and Scarface are certainly the best known among them, but only a small number of them were done by real-life characters and represents a kind of gangster story of an individual.

In front of you is a list of the best gangster films made by real-life characters and their stories. The selection was made based on the quality of the film and 'size' of the hero. So if you have not seen some of the films on the list, we recommend that as soon as you can watch some of these screened life stories.

1. Gotti (1996)

The story of the famous Teflon Don - John Gotti, and his breakthrough to the head of the Gambino family and the status of the most famous mafia boss in America. The figure of the famous mobster interpreted Armand Assante.

2. The Untouchables (1987)

Best screened the story of the most famous mobster ever - Al Capone. A small, select team of policemen led by Eliot Ness, is responsible to stop Capone and brought him to justice. With a cast made up of Robert De Niro, Kevin Costner and Sean Connery in the lead roles, it is obvious why this movie got the status of a classic. 

3. Donnie Brasco (1997)

The plot of the story is set in New York during the seventies. Joseph D. Pistone, the FBI agent is infiltrated the famous mafia family Bonano under the name Donnie Brasco 'The Jewel Man'. Starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp.  

4. American Gangster (2007)

Movie about Frank Lucas, a mafia boss and drug dealer from the end of the sixties and early seventies. The game between Lucas (Denzel Washington) and the agent who was chasing him (Russell Crowe) culminates at the end of the film, which depicts the life of one of the largest dealers of heroin on American soil.  

5. Blow (2001)

The story of George Jung, the man who founded the cocaine market in the United States during the seventies and ties to drug cartels from Medellin, from which arrived almost 90% of cocaine from a US streets. Starring Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz.  

6. Public Enemies (2009)

The plot of the story of the most famous bank robber ever, John Dillinger and his team, located in the thirties of the last century. The game of cat and mouse between John and the police, was completed in Chicago, and this mid-west robber celebrated with a series of spectacular robberies and escaping from prison. 

7. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

This movie shows a rebellious life and death of the famous Jesse James - bank and train robber, murderer and gang leader from the state of Missouri, which has become a legend of the wild west and idealized by a large number of citizens of the America then. Insidiously murder and rebellious life contributed to the popularity of Jesse James, and this movie from 2007 with Brad Pitt in the lead role truest evokes life of a gangster.