A Bronx Tale (1993)

A father becomes worried when a local gangster befriends his son in the Bronx in the 1960s.

Director:

Robert De Niro

Writers:

Chazz Palminteri (play), Chazz Palminteri (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert De Niro, Chazz Palminteri, Lillo Brancato

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert De Niro	...	Lorenzo
Chazz Palminteri	...	Sonny
Lillo Brancato	...	Calogero (Age 17)
Francis Capra	...	Calogero (Age 9)
Taral Hicks	...	Jane
Kathrine Narducci	...	Rosina
Clem Caserta	...	Jimmy Whispers
Alfred Sauchelli Jr.	...	Bobby Bars
Frank Pietrangolare	...	Danny K.O.
Joe Pesci	...	Carmine
Robert D'Andrea	...	Tony Toupee
Eddie Montanaro	...	Eddie Mush
Fred Fischer	...	JoJo the Whale
Dave Salerno	...	Frankie Coffeecake
Joseph D'Onofrio	...	Slick (Age 17)

Storyline

The Bronx, New York, 1960. 9-year-old Calogero grows up admiring and fascinated by the local mob boss, Sonny. Calogero's father, Lorenzo, wants to have nothing to do with the mob and does his best to keep his son away from Sonny and mob business. However, it may prove a losing battle.

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Plot Keywords:

first love | father son relationship | year 1960 | bronx | new york state | 

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Taglines:

One man lives in the neighborhood, another man owns it. A devoted father battles the local crime boss for the life of his son.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language and several scenes of violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

1 October 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Bronx Tale

Filming Locations:

Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$17,266,971

Company Credits

Production Co:

Price Entertainment, Penta Entertainment, Tribeca Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene where Lorenzo confronts Sonny about Calogero's money, Clem Caserta is seen holding Lorenzo back. He also plays a bodyguard in The Untouchables (1987). In the scene where Eliot Ness confronts Al Capone at the hotel, Clem Caserta is seen holding Al Capone back who is also played by Robert De Niro.

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Goofs

When the detectives are first bringing Colagero out to the street after the shooting by Sonny, an electronic siren can be heard winding down and cutting off mid-tone. Only motor-driven sirens were available on emergency vehicles during this period.

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Quotes

Calogero 'C' Anello: Sonny was right. The working man IS a sucker, dad. He's a sucker.
Lorenzo: He's wrong! It don't take much strength to pull a trigger, but try and get up every morning, day after day and work for a livin'! Let's see him try that! Then we'll see who's the REAL tough guy! The working man's the tough guy! Your father's the tough guy!

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Crazy Credits

Dedicated to the memory of Robert De Niro, Sr.

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Connections

Featured in Bullets Over Hollywood (2005)

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Soundtracks

Bustalk
Performed by Bobby Watson

User Reviews

Vintage Robert DeNiro

The amount of brillance that Robert DeNiro puts into all of his performances is unmatched and he proves that he can also be a fine director by debuting in that field as well as starring in this 1993 Savoy release. DeNiro is top billed but you actually don't see very much of him. The film's major focus is that of a little boy named Calogero and his idol, a mobster named Sonny (Chazz Palminteri). Sonny owns the Bronx neighborhood where Calogero and his honest bus driver father Lorenzo (DeNiro) live. He also basically owns them. Sonny's heavy amount of power and wealth make him an intimidating force throughout the neighborhood but his mob gang make their fear of him look like complete respect. Sonny knows that he's feared and it just encourages him to keep trying to rise in power. Calogero grows up watching Sonny cavorting on the street with his gang and secretly imitating him much to Lorenzo's chagrin. Lorenzo wants the best life possible for Calogero and doesn't want to see him fall into a life of crime or looking up to crime figures. Calogero doesn't listen because he idolizes Sonny too much and his chance to get Sonny's attention comes when he witnesses Sonny fatally shoot a man. When Calogero is questioned by police, his loyalty comes before his conscience and he doesn't rat out Sonny's guilt in the shooting. Sonny strongly appreciates this and so he gives Calogero an easy money job serving drinks for his high rollers gang. As several years pass and Calogero nears the end of his childhood, he must learn to make the ultimate choice between his two "father" figures. Just like in "Goodfellas", a classic soundtrack and excellent period detail is evident here and this film stands out as yet another classic in the modern day organized crime film genre. Palminteri makes a strong film starring debut and DeNiro makes the very most of his rather small seeming part. Joe Pesci also appears briefly as another respected crime boss. An instant "new classic."