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Specifications: - Region 1 - Run time: approx. 127 min. - Subtitle: English, French, Spanish - Scene selection: static - Package: Keep case
Video Features: - Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 widescreen
Audio Features: - English: Dolby Digital 5.0 - English: Dolby Surround -
French: Dolby Surround Bonus Materials: - Director's audio commentary -
"Donnie Brasco: Out from the - Original featurette -
Deleted scenes (5) with optional - Theatrical trailers (4) - Photo gallery -
Isolated music score (full length) - Production notes (2-page spread) - Web link**
Theatrical Release: 2/28/97 DVD Release: 11/07/00 Review Date: 10/29/00
List price: $ 29.95 On-line price: $ 20.96 Pre-order price was: $ 16.99
*DVD-ROM features require DVD-ROM drive on your PC with certain minimum system requirements
**web links require internet access
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| Donnie
Brasco Special Edition |
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Starring:
Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen,
MPAA Rating: R Studio: Mandalay
Entertainment & TriStar Pictures |
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Movie: B+ Video: A- Audio: B+ Extras: A
Summary: "Donnie Brasco" is based on the true story of FBI special agent Joseph
Pistone as he goes deep undercover as "Donnie Brasco" to
infiltrate the mafia
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The Story
Based on a true story, FBI special agent Joseph Pistone (Johnny Depp) goes undercover as Donnie Brasco to infiltrate the mafia crime families. Posing as a jewelry dealer, Brasco wins the trust of veteran mafia hitman, Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino). Brasco is quickly accepted into the mafia family with mentorship and support from Lefty.
When the mafia boss is murdered, the new boss takes over and "ups" (i.e., promotes) Sonny Black (Michael Madsen) as the Brookline crime boss. During a hard winter, Sonny Black gets desperate as he and his gang of wisemen have difficulty paying the $50 thousand monthly membership to the boss. Brasco takes advantage of his FBI connections and helps the mafia family expand a new night club operation in Miami.
Though "Donnie Brasco" is a serious drama about special agent Pistone, it does have its funny moments. For example, when Pistone is sitting around in the FBI stakeout location, he explains the meaning of the mobster's use of the phrase "forget about it" to two fellow agents who listen on wiretaps:
"Forget about it is like...if you agree with someone. Like, 'Raquel Welch is one piece of ....' 'Forget about it.' But then if you disagree, like, 'a Lincoln is better than a Cadillac'? "Forget about it.' But then if something is the greatest thing in the world, like... those peppers. 'Forget about it!' You know? ..."
Unlike other mafia and mobster movies, "Donnie Brasco" doesn't portray the "glamour" lifestyle of the mobsters. Instead, its portrayal depicts a realism and features deeper principal character studies. What's interesting is that the family life of Pistone is developed throughout the movie, showing the difficulties experienced by everyone when a husband and father takes a deep undercover assignment. It also shows how Pistone's mental state is affected when he hangs out with the mafia family day and night.
The
film seems quite true to the real-world experiences of Joseph Pistone,
according to the documentary (as part of the extra material). Al
Pacino and Johnny Depp both delivered awesome performances, as did
Michael Madsen and Anne Heche in their roles.
The 25-minute documentary features the real-world Joseph Pistone, as he discusses his real-world experiences of going undercover. He compares and contrasts the real-world Lefty and Sonny Black against the characters that were portrayed in the movie. I have to admit, the real-world Joseph Pistone has got some real guts in showing himself in this documentary. This documentary is truly a first in that regard, and I think you'll find it very interesting. The seven-minute original featurette is the typical behind-the-scenes look that features a synopsis of the movie and cast and crew commentaries and interviews. (In this featurette, the real-world Pistone's face is digitally blurred.)
There are five deleted scenes with optional director's commentary. The scenes are entitled: "Lefty's New Lion", "The Same Shirt", "Bigger Bottle", "IRS Audit", and "Under Pressure'. With the optional director's commentary, director Mike Newell tells why each scene was originally shot and why each was cut out of the final version of the film. For example, "The Same Shirt" scene was cut due to audience feedback during the initial screenings of the film. Funny, I thought that scene was excellent and would do well for the movie as it shows Donnie's loyalty to Lefty. Oh well, at least you can see it in the DVD version.
There is another full-length audio track called "isolated music score" that allows you to view the movie with just the music soundtrack score. (Where there is no soundtrack, there is just silence.) Very cool feature. This is better than buying a separate soundtrack audio CD!
The photo gallery features color and black and white still photographs with various dialogue tracks dubbed in from the movie and from the actual production. Very nicely done. The theatrical trailers include "Donnie Brasco", "The Devil's Own", "The Professional", and "The Juror". And finally, there are the talent files for the director and principal cast members. All in all, this Special Edition rightfully earns its title. Nice job Columbia TriStar Home Video.
Video & Audio
The image quality of this anamorphic widescreen DVD is very good. The colors are accurate and saturated. The Dolby Digital 5.0-channel surround sound is well balanced. The dialogue was clear while the soundtrack effectively engages the viewer. Too bad there is not a ".1" low frequency effects (LFE) channel.
Recommendation
"Donnie
Brasco" is a different kind of mobster movie (in the good
sense). Sure, it has its share of mobster violence. But
unlike some mobster movies, where the mafia lifestyle is
"glamorized", this film takes you for a detailed look at the
friendship and loyalty between a veteran wiseman and his new
apprentice. Do I like this movie? Yes. Or should I
say, "just forget about it". I think it's a must-see by
fans of mobster movies and those who enjoy deep character studies.
Excuse me, I have to go... I'm being "sent for".
Buy the "Donnie Brasco" Special Edition DVD at:
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(Sign up for
NetFlix.com "Unlimited" DVD Rental Service Visit the "Donnie Brasco" movie web site or Columbia TriStar Home Video web site.
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