Donnie Brasco
About the Film
In late-1970s New York, FBI agent Joseph Pistone goes deep undercover as jewel thief “Donnie Brasco” to infiltrate the Bonanno crime family. He attaches himself to Lefty Ruggiero, an aging, overlooked hitman who vouches for him and teaches him the ways of the mob.
As Donnie burrows deeper, the line between agent and gangster blurs: his marriage frays, the violence mounts, and a genuine father-son bond grows with the very man he is betraying. When the FBI moves in, Donnie’s success comes at a devastating price — because in this world, when they send for a friend, it’s a friend who does the killing.
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp plays Joe Pistone, the real FBI agent who spent years undercover as Donnie Brasco. Depp plays the slow moral erosion of a good man torn between duty and the loyalty he comes to feel for his mob mentor Lefty.
Cast & Crew
Cast
Benjamin “Lefty” RuggieroAl Pacino
Joseph D. Pistone / Donnie BrascoJohnny Depp
Sonny BlackMichael Madsen
Nicky SantoraBruno Kirby
PaulieJames Russo
Maggie PistoneAnne Heche
FBI Agent Tim CurleyŽeljko Ivanek
Dean BlandfordGerry Becker
Crew
DirectorMike Newell
ScreenplayPaul Attanasio
Based onthe memoir by Joseph D. Pistone
MusicPatrick Doyle
CinematographyPeter Sova
ProducersMark Johnson, Barry Levinson, Louis DiGiaimo, Gail Mutrux
“When they send for you, you go in alive, you come out dead, and it’s your best friend that does it.”
— Donnie Brasco
Filming Locations
- New York City
- Miami & Florida
More about this film
Trivia
- Based on the real Joe Pistone’s memoir of his six years undercover in the Bonanno family.
- Pistone served as a consultant, coaching Pacino and Depp on their characters.
- Stephen Frears was attached to direct before Mike Newell took over.
- Pistone’s real investigation led to over 200 indictments and more than 100 convictions.
Awards
- 1998 Academy Award nomination — Best Adapted Screenplay (Paul Attanasio)
- 1997 National Board of Review — Best Supporting Actress (Anne Heche) Won
