"As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a gangster."

The story of Henry Hill takes us through three decades of his life. From a young boy's aspirations to become a gangster through to several high profile crimes and always as part of the mob family. Henry's rise through the mob ranks is shown alongside that of his childhood friend Tommy De Vito as they both become key players in Paul Cicero's family. The money, success and women surely can't last forever...

"You know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like, you'd say to somebody - "You're gonna like this guy. He's alright. He's a goodfella. He's one of us." You understand? We were goodfellas, wiseguys."


skyjude review
The movie uses a wild combination of flash cuts, long tracking shots, the dreaded voiceover and is full of scenes that essentially revolve around food. It probably shouldn't work. But it does and achieves movie perfection at the same time. Whether it's for the story, acting, direction or whatever - Goodfellas represents the very best of the movies. There are several essential Scorsese movies but this is simply an essential movie for all film fans. Movie making genius like this is very rare indeed.

Top 5 Reasons for Watching Goodfellas

[5] Henry Hill beats up the neighbour
In a film not short of violence there are plenty of scenes that grab your attention but this brutal attack on Karen's neighbour with the butt of a gun has got to be my favourite.

[4] That tracking shot
Probably only second to Orson Welles introduction to Touch Of Evil, the tracking shot of Henry Hill guiding Karen in to the club is pure movie perfection. Through the back door, down the corridors, through the kitchen and into the club all the while we share Karen's amazement at the life she's about to lead.

[3] Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro
We all knew just how good De Niro was before this film was made but it was Liotta and Pesci who went stellar with this film and gave two of the best performances of the 1990's. Liotta brilliantly keeps the story moving and Pesci rips up the screen as one of cinema's greatest bad boys. Yet through all this, simple facial movements and inspired touches show again why De Niro is among the finest actors of the last few decades.

[2] "Funny how?"
Yes - everyone knows this scene now but think back to the first time you saw it and ask yourself if you weren't just as scared as Ray Liotta was while watching in the cinema. An electrifying moment in screen history with no blood but it's fair share of expletives ending in laughter and relief for all.

[1] Martin Scorsese
It took until 2007 and The Departed for the Academy to give Scorsese any credit but his Oscar glory should definitely have begun here at the latest. Scorsese is simply a certificate of excellence for any film - a God among directors today and with Goodfellas gives us a mob movie that is nothing short of a masterpiece.


Goodfellas quotes

Henry Hill: Whenever we needed money we'd rob the airport. To us it was better than Citibank.

Henry Hill: Paulie may have moved slow, but it was only because Paulie didn't have to move for anybody.

Jimmy Conway: I'm not mad, I'm proud of you. You took your first pinch like a man and you learn two great things in your life. Look at me, never rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut.

Henry Hill: You're a pistol, you're really funny. You're really funny.
Tommy DeVito: What do you mean I'm funny?
Henry Hill: It's funny you know. It's a good story, it's funny, you're a funny guy.
Tommy DeVito: What do you mean? You mean the way I talk? What?
Henry Hill: It's just you know. You're just funny, it's funny, the way you tell the story and everything.
Tommy DeVito: Funny how? What's funny about it?
Anthony Stabile: Tommy no - You got it all wrong.
Tommy DeVito: Oh, oh, Anthony. He's a big boy, he knows what he said. What did ya say? Funny how?
Henry Hill: Just...
Tommy DeVito: What?
Henry Hill: Just - ya know - you're funny.
Tommy DeVito: You mean - let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little fucked up maybe, but I'm funny how? I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to fucking amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?
Henry Hill: Just - you know, how you tell the story, what?
Tommy DeVito: No, no, I don't know. You said it. How do I know? You said I'm funny. How the fuck am I funny? What the fuck is so funny about me? Tell me, tell me what's funny!
Henry Hill: Get the fuck out of here, Tommy!
Tommy DeVito: Ya motherfucker! I almost had him, I almost had him! Ya stuttering prick ya! Frankie, was he shaking? I wonder about you sometimes, Henry. You may fold under questioning.

Tommy DeVito: No more shines Billy.
Billy Batts: What?
Tommy DeVito: I said, no more shines Billy. Maybe you didn't hear about it, you've been away a long time. I didn't go up, didn't tell ya.
Billy Batts: Ah.
Tommy DeVito: I don't shine shoes anymore.
Billy Batts: Relax would ya. What's got into you? I haven't seen you in a long fucking time and I'm breaking your balls a little bit. I'm only kidding with ya.
Tommy DeVito: Well, sometimes you don't sound like you're kidding, you know, there's a lotta people here.
Billy Batts: I'm only kidding with ya.
Tommy DeVito: It's ok.
Billy Batts: I don't mean to offend you.
Tommy DeVito: I'm sorry.
Billy Batts: I'm sorry too.
Tommy DeVito: It's okay.
Billy Batts: Salud, Tommy.
Tommy DeVito: Can we get some drinks? Everybody, drinks on the house.
Billy Batts: Now go home and get your fucking shine box.
Tommy DeVito: Motherfucking mutt! You big piece of shit! You big fucking toughguy!

Jimmy Conway: What is the matter with you huh? What is the fucking matter with you? What are you - a fucking sick maniac or something? Tommy, I'm kidding with you.
Tommy DeVito: Kidding? How am I meant to know you're kidding? You're breaking my fucking balls.
Jimmy Conway: I'm fucking kidding with you and you fucking shoot the guy?
Henry Hill: He's dead.
Jimmy Conway: You dumb bastard, I can't fucking believe you. You're gonna dig the hole. I ain't got no fucking lime, you're gonna dig the fucking hole.
Tommy DeVito: Fine, I'll dig the fucking hole. I don't give a fuck. What is it, the first hole I ever dug? First time I dug a hole, I'll dig a fucking hole. Well, where are the shovels?

Henry Hill: If you're part of a crew nobody ever tells you that they're going to kill you, doesn't happen that way. There weren't any arguments or curses like in the movies. See, your murderers come with smiles, they come as your friends, the people who've cared for you all of your life. And they always seem to come at a time that you're at your weakest and most in need of their help.

Henry Hill: For a second I thought I was dead. But, when I heard all the noise I knew they were cops. Only cops talk that way. If they'd been wiseguys I wouldn't have heard a thing. I would've been dead.

Henry Hill: Today, everything is different. There's no action. I have to wait around like everyone else. Can't even get decent food. Right after I got here I ordered some spaghetti with marinara sauce and I got egg noodles and ketchup. I'm an average nobody. I get to live the rest of my life like a schnook.


Production company: Warner Bros