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Pay or Die

Released Jul 27, 1960 1h 51m Drama List
Reviews 30% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
In the early 1900s, New York City mobsters intimidate local businesses in Little Italy, pressing their owners to pay protection fees or else risk injury to themselves and their property. Police Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino (Ernest Borgnine), an honest detective, heads the police Italian Squad, a team devoted to bringing these thugs to justice. Hoping to trace their roots to the notorious Sicilian Mafia, Petrosino nobly pursues the American mob -- whatever the consequences.

Critics Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Aside from Marty, this is my favorite Ernest Borgnine role where he plays a good guy. Rated: B Jul 26, 2012 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Brutal but fascinating early Mafia history. Based on the true story of Italian American police officer Lt. Joseph Petrosino. Starring Ernest Borgnine and Zohra Lampert. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member Tough and well acted but blandly produced film about the NYPD "Italian Squad" led by Borgnine and their attempts to take down the mafia.. Like "Marty" this is one of the few films where a young Ernest Borgnine got a leading role and played a good guy. Good, but nothing all that special Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Pay or Die

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Pay or Die

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the early 1900s, New York City mobsters intimidate local businesses in Little Italy, pressing their owners to pay protection fees or else risk injury to themselves and their property. Police Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino (Ernest Borgnine), an honest detective, heads the police Italian Squad, a team devoted to bringing these thugs to justice. Hoping to trace their roots to the notorious Sicilian Mafia, Petrosino nobly pursues the American mob -- whatever the consequences.
Director
Richard Wilson
Producer
Richard Wilson
Screenwriter
Richard Collins, Bertram Millhauser
Distributor
Allied Artists Pictures
Production Co
Allied Artists Pictures Corporation
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 27, 1960, Original
Runtime
1h 51m