Ed-Shullivan Witness to the Mob does have that "made for TV" look and feel to it simply because of the movie's length (approximately 3 hours) and because it is presented as more of an autobiography/history of the New York mafia in the 1980's and early 1990's. than as a fictional action movie. I was impressed with both Nicholas Turturro's portrayal of Sammy the Bull Gravano and with Tom Sizemore's portrayal of John Gotti. When you consider the murder and mayhem caused by these two criminals over the 20 year period that they were involved with organized crime, then one would expect that consolidating the historical events of the 19 murders associated with Sammy the Bull Gravano would be filtered several times over. Even with the limited time (3 hours or so) provided by the screening of Witness to the Mob the movie was quite impressive with factually presenting the life and times of Sammy the Bull Gravano. Debi Mazar played Sammy's faithful and loving wife and Michael Imperioli played Sammy's child hood friend. Through time and sequence of events we get to understand why Sammy eventually needs to silence forever both his childhood friend and also his own brother in law. We do see the distinct contrast between John Gotti's flamboyant lifestyle and Sammy's more disciplined belief in the Costa Nostra and his loyalty and devotion to his mafia family comes before his own family.All in all, kudos to the director Thaddeus O'Sullivan for drawing out the characters lifestyles and historical events of the New York mafia for a television audience. I give full marks to Nicholas Turturro and Tom Sizemore for their great performances as two of the most cruel and vicious criminals who eventually turn on one another to save their own skin. The movie provides good insight in to the personality of Sammy the Bull and why he did turn on his mafia family, because he eventually realized that Paul Castellano the boss of bosses, and John Gotti who took Paul out to become the new mob boss, there is no real honor and/or family within the mafia, only power and greed.This is a good history of the New York mafia "that you should not refuse watching" for a made for TV movie.

Bart van Engelen This movie is tragically miscasted. And though many reviewers claim that this movie is closer to the truth than HBO's Gotti was, it is inferior in every way.It all starts with Turturro. Someone here claims he looks the part of Gravano, but that just ain't true. He's far too dark skinned, and though he has Italian ancestors he has always looked more Mexican to me. It also has to do with his role in NYPD Blue. Turturro doesn't play the part of a made mafia man. He always looks timid, shy and a bit anxious (same for his role in NYPD Blue). The supporting cast is full with the usual suspects you see in mafia films, and most have got their known roles in the Sopranos. But that also makes it a problem, a supporting cast that clearly overshadows the lead role just doesn't work. I don't know about Tom Sizemore, I love the actor, and he does a decent job. But Assante was better, he really embodied Gotti.It all doesn't work. And the story may be closer to the truth. But remember that 'truth' is a strange concept in this context. The truth is based on a single testimony and some investigative work. In my opinion movie makers have some freedom in interpreting such truths for their work. HBO's Gotti just works much better.

arthurclay I saw this movie when I happened to catch it on CBS a few years back. I only saw part of it but I have always liked the subject since I was eight years old. I recently bought a copy and it has become one of my favorite films. The acting is good and they really did a magnificent job on casting, costumes, and locations. I thought Turturro's role was fantastic and Sizemore didn't do badly either though I think Assante was more realistic in Gotti. I would have liked to have seen Turturro as Gravano in Gotti it would have been a real treat to see him and Armand square off. This movie captures the backstabbing, badmouthing, lying, rip offs, and betrayal that goes on in the mob families just like Donnie Brasco did the only difference being that this was no "crazy messed up love story" as Depp put it. This is a movie that bluntly depicts the merciless killing of so called friends and the treacherous deceit that follows without any hint of feelings or "real" friendship as he would have you believe. Turturro's Gravano is a detached and pitiless killer who is as bad as the people he whacks and his rise like Gotti's is as meteoric as his fall. This film leaves you asking Gravano this question: If you killed cheaters, double crossers, dope heads, and people who broke the rules shouldn't you have been killed too? Witness to the mob gives you both sides of the story and lets you make the call.

stefan899 All mafia films seem to be excellent. They just have that edge, tension and suspense to them which bulids up during the movie and then which is all released at the climax. Witness to the Mob is no exception. However what was unusual, being a mafia film, was that I cant remember any swear word said during the whole film nor was there hardly any blood. Most of the killings were done with quick, clean silencers. Violence was very limited. But it did not detract much from being a good well done movie which will keep the viewer's interest from start to finish. Tom Sizemore is the highlight and is just great, especially when he loses his temper, and is perfect for his role. I would defnitely recommend Witness to the Mob to all mafia film lovers. 8/10.