The Brotherhood

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The Brotherhood

PG-13

1968

1h 38m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

24%

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1,000+ Ratings

Upon returning from Vietnam, Vince Ginetta (Alex Cord) marries the lovely Emma Bertolo (Susan Strasberg), the daughter of Mafia kingpin Dominic (Luther Adler). On the day of the wedding, Vince's older brother, Frank (Kirk Douglas), a made man of the Old World mold, hears that Dominic may have had a hand in their father's murder. As the newly well-connected Vince rises to prominence in the mob, Frank struggles with jealously -- and with his desire to avenge their father's death.

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Time Out

[Director Martin] Ritt can do very little with the breast-beating which attends this tale of brotherly love and self-sacrifice.

Jun 24, 2006

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

The Brotherhood has an old-fashioned, beautiful energy about it.

Rated: 3/5

May 9, 2005

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a deliberate and predominantly low-key drama that is, for the most part, devoid of compelling, ingratiating elements...

Rated: 2/4

Dec 10, 2021

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Robert Kotlowitz

Harper's Magazine

If this story of the Mafia seems near bankruptcy, it's because nearly everything in it is in debt to something else that was done better at another time.

Aug 4, 2020

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 3/5

Sep 8, 2005

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jun 17, 2005

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Audience Member

Overall, lovers of drama and crime will delight in this family story about honour, loyalty, and possible betrayal among a pair of brothers. It's a slow-paced story that's primary goal is to build tension and surprise, and for the most part, I felt the film did this wonderfully. Moving slowly, it builds to a strong conclusion and unexpected finale, which felt quite rewarding and touching. Kirk Douglas as the lead is once again amazing, but sadly I didn't find his performance overly new, especially when compared to some of the actor's previous work.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/11/23

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Audience Member

A more realistic telling of the Godfather story.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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delysid d

this is a very nice gangster story

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/29/18

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Audience Member

This film's failure convinced Hollywood that the Mafia was not a commercially viable subject and nearly caused Paramount to scrap "The Godfather". It's a shame, because with one notable exception, this is a pretty good film. Kirk Douglas plays a happy, traditional Mafia don (with a big bushy mustache and the patented Douglas charm) who clashes with the new, all-business Mafia personified by Murray "we can't close the beaches" Hamilton. Everything about the film is pretty top notch, except for Alex Cord, who plays Douglas's college educated little brother who comes into the family business with him (shades of Michael Corleone). Cord is really awful, and he's a large part of the film, compromising the whole enterprise at many points.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

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Audience Member

A decent enough mafia boss story although only a warm up for some tougher more intelligent films of this genre in later years.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

I don't know why but I expected to like The Brotherhood from the start so I was disappointed when I didn't.It was OK I guess but it wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be.Maybe it was because Kurt Douglas was playing a gangster that I thought I would like this movie.It's nothing I'd recommend, Just something to watch

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

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Martin Ritt

Director

Kirk Douglas

Frank Ginetta

Alex Cord

Vince Ginetta

Irene Papas

Ida Ginetta

Luther Adler

Dominick Bertolo

Susan Strasberg

Emma Ginetta

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Synopsis

Upon returning from Vietnam, Vince Ginetta (Alex Cord) marries the lovely Emma Bertolo (Susan Strasberg), the daughter of Mafia kingpin Dominic (Luther Adler). On the day of the wedding, Vince's older brother, Frank (Kirk Douglas), a made man of the Old World mold, hears that Dominic may have had a hand in their father's murder. As the newly well-connected Vince rises to prominence in the mob, Frank struggles with jealously -- and with his desire to avenge their father's death.

Director: Martin Ritt
Producer: Kirk Douglas
Production Co: Brotherhood Company
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 38m

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