This documentary provides an overview of how the Mafia became an entrenched power in the life of New York City during the era of the Seventies and early Eighties. It's not bad, though the pacing is somewhat inconsistent, and if you've followed the Mafia in movies, books and newspaper articles, there's probably not a lot new to learn here. That's especially true for anyone who lived through the era and happened to reside in the city or it's outlying suburbs in which papers like the New York Daily News, The Times, or The New York Post had a reach. It wasn't unusual to see a front page depiction of the latest mob rub out with it's screaming headlines to start your day off right.
For younger viewers who wouldn't know of his involvement in taking down the Mafia, Rudy Giuliani will prove to be a surprising presence. Giuliani made his mark nationally as the New York Attorney General who coordinated the massive effort to target the five Mafia families individually, while establishing the link that bound them all together as The Commission. Predominantly done via patient stakeouts and cleverly placed wiretaps, the FBI was able to gradually build enough of a case to bring the mob to heel.
Currently running on Netflix, the series consists of three chapters of about forty five minutes each, so not much longer than your average movie and easy enough to take in, in one sitting. The documentary feel is enhanced with plenty of TV footage from back in the day, and if one has any knowledge at all of the old time Mafia, the names will come flooding back in a torrent of Seventies nostalgia.
For younger viewers who wouldn't know of his involvement in taking down the Mafia, Rudy Giuliani will prove to be a surprising presence. Giuliani made his mark nationally as the New York Attorney General who coordinated the massive effort to target the five Mafia families individually, while establishing the link that bound them all together as The Commission. Predominantly done via patient stakeouts and cleverly placed wiretaps, the FBI was able to gradually build enough of a case to bring the mob to heel.
Currently running on Netflix, the series consists of three chapters of about forty five minutes each, so not much longer than your average movie and easy enough to take in, in one sitting. The documentary feel is enhanced with plenty of TV footage from back in the day, and if one has any knowledge at all of the old time Mafia, the names will come flooding back in a torrent of Seventies nostalgia.