Fear City: New York vs The Mafia - A Gripping True Crime Docuseries
If you are a fan of true crime stories, especially those involving the mafia, you might want to check out Fear City: New York vs The Mafia. This is a three-part docuseries that chronicles how the FBI took down the five families that ruled New York with a bloody fist in the 1970s and '80s. This docuseries features firsthand accounts from former gangsters, FBI agents, lawyers, journalists, historians, and even Rudolph Giuliani himself. It also showcases rare archival footage and recordings that reveal how the mob operated and how the law enforcement cracked their code. In this article, we will give you an overview of what this docuseries is about, who are the people behind it and in it, how it was received by critics and audiences alike, and how you can watch it online.
The Rise and Fall of the Five Families
The five families refer to the Gambino, Colombo, Bonanno, Lucchese, and Genovese families, the five major organized crime groups of Italian-American origin that dominated New York's underworld for decades. They were part of the nationwide criminal network known as the American Mafia or La Cosa Nostra, which means "our thing" in Italian. The five families got their names from their founders or bosses in the 1930s, when they emerged from a violent power struggle among various gangs in the city. They established a system of cooperation and coordination called the Commission, which acted as the governing body of the American Mafia and settled disputes among the families.
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The five families reached their peak of power and wealth in the 1970s and '80s, when they controlled various aspects of the city's economy, politics, and society. They extorted millions of dollars from legitimate businesses such as construction, labor unions, garbage collection, and restaurants. They also ran illegal operations such as gambling, loan sharking, drug trafficking, and murder for hire. They bribed and intimidated public officials, judges, lawyers, and police officers to protect their interests and avoid prosecution. They also influenced the media, the entertainment industry, and the cultural scene of New York. They were feared and respected by many, and some even admired them for their loyalty, honor, and charisma.
The Mob Rule
The mafia operated with a strict hierarchy and a code of conduct that governed their behavior and activities. The boss was the leader of each family, who made all the major decisions and received a cut of all the profits. The underboss was the second-in-command, who assisted the boss and acted as his successor in case of his death or imprisonment. The consigliere was the counselor or advisor, who mediated disputes and offered guidance to the boss. The capos were the captains or lieutenants, who led crews of soldiers or associates who carried out the orders and tasks assigned by the boss. The soldiers were the members or made men, who had taken an oath of allegiance to the family and followed its rules. The associates were the non-members or outsiders, who worked with or for the family but had no formal ties or obligations.
The mafia followed a code of conduct that included rules such as omertà (silence), which forbade them from cooperating with the authorities or revealing any information about their organization; rispetto (respect), which required them to show deference and loyalty to their superiors and peers; and vendetta (revenge), which obliged them to retaliate against anyone who harmed or betrayed them or their family. The mafia also had rituals and symbols that marked their identity and culture, such as the initiation ceremony, which involved pricking the finger of the new member and burning a picture of a saint while reciting an oath; the kiss of death, which signaled that someone had been marked for execution; and the use of nicknames, gestures, and slang that distinguished them from others.
The Godfather Tapes
The FBI had been trying to infiltrate and dismantle the five families for years, but with little success. The mafia was too secretive and powerful to be easily penetrated or prosecuted. The FBI needed a new strategy and a new weapon to fight them. That weapon was the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), a federal law enacted in 1970 that allowed the government to charge and convict individuals for being part of a criminal enterprise that engaged in a pattern of racketeering activities. RICO gave the FBI more leverage and authority to pursue and punish the mafia bosses, not just their underlings.
The FBI also used innovative surveillance tactics to gather evidence against the five families. They planted bugs in cars, phones, offices, homes, and even a coffee table. They also used a little-known law that allowed them to wiretap any location where gambling was taking place without a warrant. This enabled them to eavesdrop on conversations among the mafia leaders at their social clubs, where they discussed their business and plans. These recordings became known as the Godfather Tapes, as they captured the voices and personalities of some of the most notorious mobsters in history.
The Judgment Day
The FBI used the RICO law and the Godfather Tapes and the evidence they collected to prove a conspiracy among the mafia bosses and bring them to trial in the historic Mafia Commission case. This was the first time that the government indicted and prosecuted the leaders of the five families as a group, rather than individually. The trial lasted for 10 months and involved more than 200 witnesses and 2,500 exhibits. The jury deliberated for 14 days and found all eight defendants guilty of various charges, including racketeering, extortion, murder, and conspiracy. On January 13, 1987, Judge Richard Owen sentenced each of them to 100 years in prison, the maximum possible sentence under RICO. The verdict and the sentence were a major blow to the mafia's power and prestige, and marked the beginning of their decline in New York and America.
The Cast and Crew of Fear City
Fear City: New York vs The Mafia is a docuseries that was released on Netflix on July 22, 2020. It was directed by Sam Hobkinson, a British filmmaker known for his documentaries on history, crime, and culture. Some of his previous works include Misha and the Wolves, The Kleptocrats, and The Hunt for the Boston Bombers. The executive producers of the docuseries were Dimitri Doganis, Bart Layton, Adam Hawkins, and Jon Liebman, who have worked on acclaimed projects such as American Animals, The Imposter, and Captive. The docuseries features interviews from various people who were involved or witnessed the events of the Mafia Commission case, as well as archival footage and recordings that illustrate the story.
The Director
Sam Hobkinson is a British documentary filmmaker who has been making films for over 20 years. He has a reputation for creating compelling and cinematic documentaries that explore complex and controversial topics. He has won several awards for his work, including a Grierson Award, a Royal Television Society Award, and a BAFTA nomination. He has also been praised by critics for his storytelling skills, his use of archival material, and his ability to elicit candid and emotional interviews from his subjects. In an interview with Variety, he said that he was drawn to the story of Fear City because it was "a classic David and Goliath story" and "a great piece of American history". He also said that he wanted to make a docuseries that was "entertaining and accessible" but also "rigorous and truthful". He said that he aimed to create a "balance between the law enforcement perspective and the mafia perspective" and to show "the human side of both sides". He also said that he wanted to avoid glamorizing or demonizing the mafia, but rather to show them as "real people with real motivations".
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The Executive Producers
The executive producers of Fear City were Dimitri Doganis, Bart Layton, Adam Hawkins, and Jon Liebman. They are all part of Raw TV, a British production company that specializes in factual and scripted content. Raw TV has produced several successful documentaries and docuseries for various platforms, such as American Animals, The Imposter, Captive, Don't Fk With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer, Three Identical Strangers, and Gold Rush. They have also received numerous awards and nominations for their work, including BAFTAs, Emmys, Oscars, Sundance Film Festival prizes, and Peabody Awards. In an interview with Deadline, they said that they were interested in making Fear City because it was "a story that had never been told before" and "a story that had huge resonance today". They also said that they wanted to make a docuseries that was "cinematic" but also "authentic" and "grounded". They said that they worked closely with Sam Hobkinson to craft a narrative that was "gripping" but also "accurate" and "fair". They also said that they faced some challenges in making the docuseries, such as finding the Demise of the American Mafia; and many others.
The Reception and Impact of Fear City
Fear City: New York vs The Mafia was released on Netflix on July 22, 2020, and it received generally favorable reviews from critics and audiences alike. It also sparked discussions and debates about the mafia's role and influence in New York and American society.
The Critical Response
The docuseries received a score of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 25 reviews, with an average rating of 7.25/10. The critics consensus reads: "Fear City: New York vs The Mafia offers a slick and engrossing account of a pivotal era in American history, even if its law-and-order perspective leaves some stones unturned." On Metacritic, the docuseries received a score of 68 out of 100, based on 10 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
Many critics praised the docuseries for its storytelling, interviews, and archival footage. For example, Brian Lowry of CNN wrote: "Fear City: New York vs The Mafia is as compelling as it is concise -- a great dive into mob history that's over before you know it". Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "Fear City is a well-told story with a wealth of great talking heads and some terrific archival footage". Caroline Framke of Variety wrote: "Fear City is at its best when it lets its subjects tell their stories in their own words, especially when backed up by jaw-dropping surveillance footage or wiretaps".
Some critics also noted the docuseries' law enforcement perspective and lack of new insights for those familiar with the case. For example, Lucy Mangan of The Guardian wrote: "It is an interesting story, but not a new one. And there is no attempt to provide context or analysis beyond that of the cops and prosecutors involved". Steve Greene of IndieWire wrote: "Fear City often feels like it's presenting a one-sided view of this sprawling saga. There's plenty of talk about what bringing down these crime families meant for the soul of New York City, but very little about what everyday life was like for those outside that sphere of influence".
The Audience Response
The docuseries was popular among viewers, who found it entertaining, informative, and thrilling. It ranked among the top 10 most-watched shows on Netflix in several countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and India. It also received a rating of 7.6 out of 10 on IMDb, based on over 11,000 user ratings.
Many viewers expressed their fascination, admiration, or disdain for the mafia and its characters. Some viewers praised the docuseries for showing the human side of both the mobsters and the FBI agents, while others criticized it for glorifying or vilifying either side. Some viewers also shared their personal stories or memories of living in New York during the mafia era, or their opinions on the current state of the city and its crime situation. Some viewers also compared and contrasted the docuseries with other mafia-related media, such as The Godfather, Goodfellas, and The Sopranos.
The Cultural Response
The docuseries sparked discussions and debates about the mafia's role and influence in New York and American society. Some viewers questioned whether the mafia was really as powerful and pervasive as the docuseries portrayed, or whether it was exaggerated or sensationalized by the media and the government. Some viewers wondered whether the mafia had any positive or negative effects on the city's economy, culture, or identity. Some viewers also speculated whether the mafia still exists or operates today, or whether it has been replaced or surpassed by other criminal groups or forces.
How to Watch Fear City: New York vs The Mafia
If you are interested in watching this docuseries, you have several options to choose from. Here are some of them:
Netflix
The easiest and most convenient way to watch Fear City: New York vs The Mafia is to stream it on Netflix, a leading streaming service that offers a wide range of content for a monthly fee. You can watch all three episodes of the docuseries anytime and anywhere you want, as long as you have a Netflix account and a compatible device with an internet connection. You can also download episodes of the docuseries on Netflix for offline viewing on compatible devices. This way, you can watch them without worrying about data usage or connectivity issues.
Other Other Options
If you don't have a Netflix account or you prefer to watch the docuseries on another platform, you have some other options to choose from. However, these options may require you to pay extra fees or have limited availability. Here are some of them:
You can buy or rent episodes or the whole season of the docuseries on digital stores such as Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies & TV, or iTunes. The prices may vary depending on the store and the region, but they usually range from $1.99 to $2.99 per episode, or $4.99 to $6.99 for the whole season.
You can also watch the docuseries on DVD or Blu-ray, if you have a compatible player and a TV. The DVD or Blu-ray discs are available to buy online or in physical stores, such as Best Buy, Walmart, or Target. The prices may vary depending on the store and the region, but they usually range from $14.99 to $19.99 for the DVD, or $19.99 to $24.99 for the Blu-ray.
Conclusion
Fear City: New York vs The Mafia is a docuseries that tells the story of how the FBI took down the five families that ruled New York with a bloody fist in the 1970s and '80s. It features interviews from former gangsters, FBI agents, lawyers, journalists, historians, and Rudolph Giuliani himself, as well as rare archival footage and recordings that reveal how the mob operated and how the law enforcement cracked their code. It is a gripping and engrossing account of a pivotal era in American history, as well as a fascinating and insightful exploration of the mafia's history and culture.
If you are a fan of true crime stories, especially those involving the mafia, you might want to watch this docuseries. It is available to stream on Netflix, or to buy or rent on digital stores or DVD or Blu-ray discs. It is a docuseries that will entertain you, inform you, and enlighten you about the history and reality of the mafia and its impact on New York and America.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Fear City: New York vs The Mafia:
How many episodes are there in Fear City: New York vs The Mafia?
There are three episodes in Fear City: New York vs The Mafia, each lasting about an hour.
Who are the five families that ruled New York?
The five families are the Gambino, Colombo, Bonanno, Lucchese, and Genovese families, the five major organized crime groups of Italian-American origin that dominated New York's underworld for decades.
What is RICO and how did it help the FBI take down the mafia?
RICO is the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a federal law enacted in 1970 that allowed the government to charge and convict individuals for being part of a criminal enterprise that engaged in a pattern of racketeering activities. RICO gave the FBI more leverage and authority to pursue and punish the mafia bosses, not just their underlings.
What are the Godfather Tapes and how did they expose the mafia?
The Godfather Tapes are recordings of conversations among the mafia leaders at their social clubs, where they discussed their business and plans. The FBI used a little-known law that allowed them to wiretap any location where gambling was taking place without a warrant. These recordings captured the voices and personalities of some of the most notorious mobsters in history.
What is the Mafia Commission case and what was its outcome?
The Mafia Commission case was the trial that resulted from the FBI's investigation and prosecution of the leaders of the five families as a group, rather than individually. It was the first time that the government indicted and prosecuted the heads of the five families for being part of a criminal conspiracy. The trial lasted for 10 months and involved more than 200 witnesses and 2,500 exhibits. The jury found all eight defendants guilty of various charges, including racketeering, extortion, murder, and conspiracy. On January 13, 1987, Judge Richard Owen sentenced each of them to 100 years in prison, the maximum possible sentence under RICO. The verdict and the sentence were a major blow to the mafia's power and prestige, and marked the beginning of their decline in New York and America. 44f88ac181
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