This 1990 gangster classic was just re-issued in a special two-DVD set. The first DVD has the film in letterbox, with a commentary track from stars Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco, director Martin Scorsese, et al. The second disc has behind the scenes featurettes and interviews, including some with the real Henry Hill, the character that Liotta plays. (Is he or is he not in the Witness Protection Program?)
As I said before, this is a classic, with top notch acting from Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Liotta. Look for Samuel L. Jackson in a small role as "Stacks." Based on the book "Wiseguy," by Nicholas Pileggi. Rated "R" for adult situations, extreme violence, and extreme profanity.
I wish they had updated the titles at the end of the film, in which the fate of the characters is detailed. The real Jimmy Burke (the basis for DeNiro's Jimmy Conway) died in prison in 1996, a fact that is apparently overlooked.
Look for the ever-mobile cigar that Paulie (Paul Sorvino) is smoking while he's discussing the problem with Tommy.
The classic keyboard riff from Derek and the Dominos "Layla" is played twice here. Maybe it's my imagination, but it seems to be slowed down just a bit from the original recording, especially the first time it's heard.
In the scene where young Henry and Tootie are relaying a message to Paulie at his house, we see a cable TV wire on the outside of Paulie's house. Cable TV wasn't even on the map when the scene takes place (1955). The scene also takes place in East New York, Brooklyn. Brooklyn wasn't begun to be wired for cable TV until the mid '80's, and wasn't fully wired until the mid '90's.
A title card states "Idlewild, 1963." Yet, we see Henry and Tommy leaning against the back of a 1965 Chevy Impala. We also see a 747 flying overhead. The 747 wasn't put into general service until mid-1970.
Tommy's mother is played by Catherine Scorsese, the director's mother. Her eyeglasses are more of the style of the late 1980's (when the movie was shot) than of the late '60s, when the part of the movie she appears in was set.
Henry Hill died yesterday, at age 69. Even in the Witness Protection Program, Hill didn't "live like a schnook" and couldn't stay out of trouble. He was booted out of the program in the early 1990's. More here.
Here's Edward McDonald's take on the late Henry Hill. McDonald played himself in the movie; he was the prosecutor who gets Hill into the Witness Protection Program.
Here's the New York "Daily News" review, circa 1990. This flick has its 25th anniversary this year. Jeez, that makes me feel old. What doesn't these days?