Crime Inc The True Story of The Mafia Part 1 – All in The Family avi

Crime Inc.' is a seven part documentary following the rise of the mafia in America. It was originally screened as a Thames Television production in 1984.

Here is Episode 1

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ALL IN THE FAMILY

The first person you see and hear is Jimmy 'the weasel' Fratianno, a former Los Angeles boss, who describes his murder of Frank Borgia. He does this in a very matter of fact manner and this sets the tone for the whole series. There are no frills here, which makes it all the more compelling and disturbing.



This first episode fittingly introduces the extent of the 'cosa nostra' in America. When law enforcement agencies raided an Appalachian house on November 14, 1957, they found eigthy of the USA's major crime figures gathered for a conference. As Edgar Croswell states on film, this is when the authorities first appreciated the size of organized crime in America.

The documentary then explains how more was learned about the crime network through various figures turning states evidence. Joseph Valachi was the first ever to do this in 1963, and he was the man who publicly used the name 'cosa nostra' (shown through archive footage). The viewer is then introduced to three mafiosi who play the most prominent part in the series, in terms of interview time : Jimmy 'the weasel' Fratianno, Gerry Denono and Joey Cantalupe - all mafia figures who have turned informant. Bill Roemer, a former FBI agent, tells a gruesome account of how the mafia dealt with one suspected informer, Jackson. Roemer's recollection is in the first eight minutes of the programme and because there is no histrionics this is not easy listening. Roemer is another regular contributor.



A narrative of the structure of the mafia follows with Fratianno, Cantalupo and Denono explaining the initiation in to the crime families. They banish the myths and expand on the importance of being a 'made man'. Lt Remo Franceschini of the NYPD gives further insight in to the framework from street level mafiosi upward. Undercover film from New York's police and an FBI wiretap show street deals and intimidation, while the narration explains the violence and the nature of the rackets at this level.

Cantalupo and Denono then illustrate the violent nature of organised crime and the power of 'respect' with personal recollections, echoed by another FBI informant Herbie Gross. The latter's account is very amusing, and this is another trait of the interviews. However distasteful, they add colour to the story of the mafia, whether the subject is shocking and disturbing, or filled with black humour. It is also the perfect way to introduce other figures within organised crime in to the story. Fratianno's contribution on violence is very unfussy - as with so many of the mafia members he looks like a "respectable businessman" - and he delivers his recollections in an almost dismissive fashion. But this makes what he says all the more compelling.



The programme goes on to give details about 'the gentle don', Angelo Bruno. This is an extensive part of this episode and includes archive news and family footage of his murder scene(unpleasant), interviews with law enforcement personnel and one of Bruno's daughters. No one knows exactly why he was killed but it is believed that it was because of his reluctance to get involved with drugs, and he is the epitomy of the old fashioned organised crime figure - with all its idealised notions that he was somehow 'honourable'. His way of running business had passed and his death was the start of a Philadelphia gang war - and interviews and footage reveal that violence is an increasing factor in the way the organisation is run.All in all a very good documentary.

Other episodes to follow. :-) Gorbalsbhoy