The story of crime boss John Gotti and his son.
The film will reveal the relationship of a father who lived and died by the mob code and a son who, while brought up to lead a life of crime, chose to leave that world behind and redeem himself and the Gotti name. Never before has there been such an inside look at the Gotti family and their world of danger, betrayal and redemption. John Gotti was head of the Gambino crime family, which in its time was the largest and most powerful crime organization in the country. Known as the "Dapper Don," John Gotti's flamboyant style and outspoken personality made him one of the most famous mobsters of the 20th century and he ruled the underworld until he died from cancer in 2002 while serving a life sentence. In 1988, at the age of 24, Gotti Jr. became a "made man," and was officially inducted into the Mafia, making him the heir-apparent to head the Gambino crime family and follow in his father's footsteps. But in 1999, Gotti Jr. paid a now-famous last visit to his imprisoned and dying father to tell him he was ending his life of crime and getting out of the family business. During the years that followed his father's death, Gotti Jr. had a long legal battle ahead of him and served three jail sentences, totaling approximately nine years, for a variety of charges. Gotti Jr. was finally released from prison in December 2009.—Steve Honig
The three-decade reign of crime boss John Gotti (John Travolta), and his rise as the head of the Gambino Crime Family in New York City, along with his son, John Jr. (Spencer Lofranco), and his loyal wife, Victoria (Kelly Preston).The film will reveal the relationship of a father who lived and died by the mob code and a son who, while brought up to lead a life of crime, chose to leave that world behind and redeem himself and the Gotti name. Never before has there been such an inside look at the Gotti family and their world of danger, betrayal and redemption.
John Gotti was head of the Gambino crime family, which in its time was the largest and most powerful crime organization in the country. Known as the "Dapper Don," John Gotti's flamboyant style and outspoken personality made him one of the most famous mobsters of the 20th century and he ruled the underworld until he died from cancer in 2002 while serving a life sentence.
In 1988, at the age of 24, Gotti Jr. became a "made man," and was officially inducted into the Mafia, making him the heir-apparent to head the Gambino crime family and follow in his father's footsteps.Angelo Ruggiero (Pruitt Taylor Vince) was Gotti's best friend during his days before and after he was a "made man". Somewhere along the line, John Jr served in the US army as a conscript. during his training, he is beaten up by his colleagues due to his association to John, who was known to the authorities as a captain in the Gambino family & running the Trucking union rackets. John Jr leaves the army and joins his father.
In 1980's Gotti's younger son Frankie was mowed down by a careless driver. The news reported that a few months later the guy who accidentally killed Frankie was abducted by 3 goons.Neil Dellacroce (Stacy Keach) is the family lawyer for the Gambino family is shown to be very close to Gotti. Paul is the head of the Gambino family when Gotti is a "Made man". Gotti doesn't like Paul or his leadership style and Niel constantly cautions him against talking bad things about Paul.
FBI tapes Angelo's daughter's phone and tape Angelo for 100's of hours talking about a lot of activities that neither Paul nor the FBI would have sanctioned. It the ensuing trial it emerges that one of his own confidantes Wilfred Johnson (Chris Kers) was an informant to the FBI. Neil tells Gotti that Paul wants to meet him and break up his crew before he goes to prison (Paul wants to ensure he is the boss, even when he is in prison). Niel does from cancer. But before dying Niel tells Gotti the plan on how he should go about executing Paul, so that he gets the sanction from the other families.Frank DeCicco (Chris Mulkey) is Paul's second in command and introduces his protege Sammy to Gotti. Gotti doesn't trust Sammy as Sammy has never done prison time.
December 16, 1985, Gotti launches his attack. Paul is gunned down publicly in front of a stake house. Gotti is made the head of the Gambino family in 1985. This unleashes a war with the other NY families, and Gotti ends up losing some of his closest men (including Frank), who were involved in the plan to kill Paul. Angelo acts without Gotti's permission and sanctions a hit on a rival on his own. The attacker fails & ends up giving Angelo's name under torture.When confronted by the other bosses, Gotti decides to fire Angelo from the family in order to save his life. In 1988 Gotti makes John Jr a "made man". In 1989, Angelo dies from cancer. A few years later John Jr gets married and also gets his own crew.
Then Gotti is indicted in 1992 for the murder of Paul in 1985. This time FBI had bugged Gotti's hideouts, and the admission came from Gotti own mouth, recorded on tape. Sammy Gravano (William DeMeo) is also arrested for being Gotti's second in command. Sammy caves & testifies against Gotti in court. Gotti is furious with himself for trusting Sammy. Gotti is sentenced to 5 life terms.This unleashes a power war in the Gambino family. In the ensuing arrests John Jr is also arrested by the FBI. He is indicted for being part of the syndicate.
But in 1999, Gotti Jr. paid a now-famous last visit to his imprisoned and dying father to tell him he was ending his life of crime (by taking a plea bargain, which his father vehemently advised him against) and getting out of the family business (John Jr needed official permission of his boss before turning his back to the life of crime). During the years that followed his father's death, Gotti Jr. had a long legal battle ahead of him and served three jail sentences, totaling approximately nine years, for a variety of charges. Gotti Jr. was finally released from prison in December 2009.
