The Valachi Papers

PG

1972

2h 5m

Crime

Drama

List

Reviews

54%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Brooklyn mob soldier Joseph Valachi (Charles Bronson) gives the government a history of the Mafia from 1929 to 1961.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

We're not involved enough to really care that much about Joe Valachi, and the movie becomes a series of high points on the road to a labored conclusion.

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 30, 2019

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A satisfying slice of Mafia mayhem.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 7, 2021

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John Hofsess

Maclean's Magazine

The film has neither subtlety nor depth and acting, with Charles Bronson in the starring role, earnest but dull.

Oct 9, 2019

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Ed Travis

Cinapse

Valachi wasn't biting off of The Godfather. To the contrary, they were developed almost in tandem. One just happened to become one of the greatest motion pictures ever created, and a global phenomenon. The other happened to be The Valachi Papers.

Nov 6, 2018

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kevin c

Aside from some of the comical overdoing it of some Italian accents, this is an interesting story of Joe Valachi who was the first made man to fully co- operate with the Feds and fully mapped out the inner workings of the mafia. Charles Bronson stars as Valachi and does a pretty good job of it. While the story is fascinating it felt more like a TV movie where I felt it could have been more. Good watch nonetheless.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Fairly bland mobster flick. Based on a true, fascinating story, with a very cool Bronson, this had the unfortunate luck of coming out in conjunction with Godfather and being completely buried by it. If it had more room to breathe, it might not feel as derivative...

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/20/20

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delysid d

this is a cool gangster movie that reminded me alot of the godfather. like most bronson movies its not perfect

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/28/18

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simon d

The true story of a bloke who grasses up the mob he used to drive for before being promoted to much higher roles. Quite interesting but not so different from a lot of other mob movies. Charles Bronson is good though.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Très bon film par rapport à la mafia italienne.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Audience Member

An ultra-violent, early-era mob flick depicting feuding families in hues of splattered, dripping, oozing blood red. The story unfolds around Bronson and his rise through the ranks, while eventually having to decide whether or not to turn stoolie when pegged as a rat. With enough gunfire to make even Sam Peckinpah jealous, "The Valachi Papers" makes for one enjoyable but gory ride.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Terence Young

Director

Charles Bronson

Joe Valachi

Lino Ventura

Vito Genovese

Jill Ireland

Maria Reina Valachi

Michael Callan

Actor

Walter Chiari

Gap

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Synopsis

Brooklyn mob soldier Joseph Valachi (Charles Bronson) gives the government a history of the Mafia from 1929 to 1961.

Director: Terence Young
Screenwriter: Stephen Geller
Production Co: Dino De Laurentiis Company, Euro-France Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Jan 10, 2006
Runtime: 2h 5m

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