Based on Nicholas Pileggi's book 'Wiseguy', Martin Scorsese's GOODFELLAS is a wry, violent, and exhilarating film about the life of Henry Hill, an aspiring criminal who ends up in the FBI's witness protection program after testifying against his former partners.
As a poor Irish-Italian growing up in 1950s New York City, Hill (Ray Liotta - SOMETHING WILD, UNLAWFUL ENTRY) rises through the ranks of his Brooklyn neighbourhood's organized crime branch, and with money from the mob he begins living the good life, complete with a beautiful bride, Karen (Lorraine Brocco - THE SOPRANOS), a fancy home, and the best seats at the most exclusive restaurants. A botched robbery lands Henry in prison for a brief period of time, and when he gets released, his reckless infidelities and drug abuse damage his associations with his adopted family.
Scorsese's film is a visual and sonic onslaught, featuring a brilliant pop-music soundtrack and stunning camera work--including the infamous Steadicam one-take that introduces the audience to the Copacabana's patrons. He uses the songs to infuse a rhythm into every scene that is at once breathtaking and invigorating. As the psychopathic Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci - RAGING BULL, MY COUSIN VINNY) delivers an unforgettable, Oscar-winning performance that is alarming in its cold-blooded callousness and Robert De Niro adds to the prestige with his quietly calculating turn as Irish hoodlum Jimmy Conway, helping to cement GOODFELLAS' place as a classic portrait of life in the mob.

Jun 2004

When Martin Scorcese, one of the world's most respected and skillful directors, reunited with two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro in Goodfellas, the result was one of the most powerful films of the 1990s.

Based on the true-life story of Nicholas Pileggi and backed by dynamic pop/rock oldies soundtrack, critics and filmgoers alike declared Goodfellas great. It was named 1990's best film by the New York, Los Angeles and National Society of Film Critics and it earned six Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.

Robert De Niro received wide recognition for his performance of veteran gangster Jimmy 'The Gent' Conway. And as Tommy DeVito, Joe Pesci walked off with an Academy Award for best supporting actor. You have to see it to believe it - then watch it again. Goodfellas explores criminal life like no other movie.

HMV DVD Editor

As far back as I can remember... 'Goodfellas' has always been one of the most momentous films of the gangster genre in screen history. Taken from the view point of real life mobster Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), the film is divided into three important decades of life in the mafia.

The exceptional casting of psychopath Tommy "funny how? How am I funny?" Devito (Joe Pesci) and Jimmy 'The Gent' Conway (Robert De Niro) are just the tip of the iceberg in this fast paced; Italian-American; tough guy neighbourhood.

Based on the popular book 'Wiseguy' by Nicholas Pileggi, watch in wonder as Hill breaks the two biggest codes of the street: opening his mouth and ratting on his friends!....Glorious work that will instantly boost your DVD collection from rags to riches once purchased....A must have!

Daniel O'Brien, HMV

• "...Breathless and brilliant....GOODFELLAS is memorable for the ensemble nature of the performances..." - New York Times - p.C11
• "...GOODFELLAS makes poetic drama of warped ambitions. It's a prodigious achievement..." - Rolling Stone - p.47
• "...Packed with solid-gold dialogue, tight performances and way too many classic scenes to list here..." -- 5 out of 5 Stars - Total Film - p.106
• "...Awesome GOODFELLAS is a punk movie, both in subject matter and attitude..." -- 4 out of 4 stars - USA Today - p.1D