GOTTI {TAPE 1 OF 2} (TV)

Summary

Part one of two. This made-for-television production, based on Jerry Capeci and Gene Mustain’s book “Gotti: Rise and Fall,” is about the life of mafia chief John “Johnny Boy” Gotti. As the program begins, John looks back on his twenty years as part of the Cosa Nostra and goes over the rules of the organization, such as “never ratting.” Then, reflecting back to New York City of 1973, John divides up money with his men in a back room as Neil Dellacroce stops by and says that mafia boss Carlo Gambino wants to see him. At Carlo’s house, the syndicate leader says he sees a future for John and gives him an assignment. Afterward, Neil says the meeting went well. That night, John heads to Staten Island and makes plan to ‘whack” a small-time dealer for Carlo. Instead, one of fellow hitman Paul Castellano’s soldiers takes out the target. The next day, the soldier is killed by one of John’s men, Joe Dimiglia. Paul takes his complaint to Carlo, where John is defended by Neil. Consigliere Joe Armone suggests that John be killed. Later, Neil tells John that he has successfully negotiated to save his life, then explains the danger of “breaking the rules.” Four months later, John kisses his family goodbye as he goes to prison for three years. At Greenhaven State Penitentiary in 1975, Neil visits John and tells him that Carlo says he’ll be released as a captain. He’s also told that his brother Gene is now pushing dope, a report that fellow inmate Angelo Ruggiero won’t confirm. Later, John hears that a prisoner is dealing drugs against kingpin Sammy “The Bull” Gravano’s wishes, then rectifies the situation. Sixteen months later, John’s release is celebrated by his cronies. Neil tells John that Carlo just died of a heart attack and that he was passed over as the new head man, with Paul now at the helm. Meanwhile, federal agents chart the change in leadership and photograph John’s reaction to the news. Later, Paul reveals the identity of his new cabinet. When John leaves the meeting early, Neil springs to his defense, as does Sammy. Later, John takes Angelo to task for moving heroin without his permission. John then goes to have drinks with Sammy and Robert DiBernardo, one of Paul’s higher-ups. They tell John that he should follow their example and get a legitimate business as a cover. Robert excuses himself to go to a warehouse, where he kills his double-dealing brother-in-law, Nick Scibetta. On March 18, 1980, John’s young son Frank is accidentally killed on his bicycle by a motorist. When John’s wife Victoria can’t stop grieving, Sammy murders the man whose car hit the boy. Four years later in Brooklyn, John accompanies Angelo on a pickup of $20,000. John gets into a fight with a trucker and is arrested. Afterward, reporters question if the altercation concerned his alleged loan-sharking activities. On the taxi ride to his home, John is informed by lawyer Bruce Cutler that Angelo is about to be indicted for heroin distribution. Elsewhere, Paul tells Sammy and Robert about his “Gotti problem,” saying that John and his crew must be eliminated. Outside, Sammy and Robert come up with their own plan. At the cemetery, a dying Neil hears John say that he’s thinking of clipping Paul. Neil advises against such a scheme. Later, John tells Sammy that he’ll kill Paul after Neil dies. Neil gives John advice about how to conduct himself with his peers, then passes away. John subsequently puts his plan in motion against Paul. Continues on T:51308.

Details

• NETWORK: HBO
• DATE: August 17, 1996 9:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 1:02:00
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:51309
• GENRE: Drama
• SUBJECT HEADING: Drama;
• SERIES RUN: HBO - TV, 1996
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Gary Lucchesi … Executive Producer
• David Coatsworth … Producer
• Robert McMinn … Co-Producer
• Robert Harmon … Director
• Steve Shagan … Writer
• Jerry Capeci … Based on the book "Gotti: Rise and Fall" by
• Gene Mustain … Based on the book "Gotti: Rise and Fall" by
• Mark Isham … Music by
• Armand Assante … Cast, John Gotti
• William Forsythe … Cast, Sammy Gravano
• Richard C. Sarafian … Cast, Paul Castellano
• Frank Vincent … Cast, Robert DiBernardo
• Dominic Chianese … Cast, Joe Armone
• Robert Miranda … Cast, Frank DeCicco
• Scott Cohen … Cast, Gene Gotti
• Raymond Serra … Cast, Frank LoCascio
• Vincent Pastore … Cast, Angelo Ruggiero
• Marc Lawrence … Cast, Carlo Gambino
• Tony Sirico … Cast, Joe Dimiglia
• Alberta Watson … Cast, Victoria Gotti
• Al Waxman … Cast, Bruce Cutler
• Anthony Quinn … Cast, Neil Dellacroce
• Yank Azman … Cast, Judge Nickerson
• Deena Baltman … Cast, Diane Giacalone
• Warren Dexter Beatty … Cast, Reporter #5
• Nigel Bennett … Cast, Bruce Mouw
• Michael Bianchin … Reporter #1
• Frank Crudele … Cast, Nick Scibetta
• George Davis … Cast, Scott Favara
• Tony DeSantis … Cast, John Favara
• Louis DiBianco … Cast, Priest
• Don Dickinson … Cast, George Gabriel
• Dan Duran … Cast, TV Announcer
• Gil Filar … Cast, Frank Gotti
• Lucy Filippone … Cast, Mrs. Ruggiero
• Ron Gabriel … Cast, Tommy Bilotti
• Marvin Goldhar … Cast, Jerry Shargel
• Sharon Heldt … Cast, Young Woman
• Tracey Hoyt … Cast, Woman on Camera
• Jeff Jones … Cast, Derelict
• Brian Kaulback … Cast, Reporter #3
• Annie Kidder … Cast, Clerk
• Adam Large … Cast, Young Man
• Roy Lewis … Cast, Marshal #1
• Gino Marrocco … Cast, Jimmy Failla
• Gerry Mendicino … Cast, Peter Gotti
• Colin Mochrie … Cast, Sound Operator
• Michelle Moffat … Cast, Reporter #4
• Tedde Moore … Cast, Judge
• John Nelles … Cast, Asst. D.A. Bartley
• George T. Odom … Cast, Black Leader
• Silvio Oliviero … Cast, Ralph Galione
• Billy Otis … Cast, Joey Perillo
• Frank Pellegrino … Cast, Carmine Russo
• Nilo Picchi … Cast, Willie Coleta
• Joe Pingue … Cast, Second Man
• Karl Pruner … Cast, John Gleeson
• Barbara Radecki … Cast, Mary of CBS
• Kurt Reis … Cast, Judge Leo Glasser
• Vito Rezza … Cast, First Man
• Rina Rota … Cast, Mrs. Cerelli
• Dante Rota … Cast, Joe Paruto
• Frank A. Ruffo … Cast, Frank Bellino
• Tim Rykert … Cast, Marshal #2
• Richard Sali … Cast, FBI Cameraman
• Harry Spiegel … Cast, Man on Camera
• Nerene Virgin … Cast, Reporter #6
• Vlasta Vrana … Cast, Romual Piecyk
• Jim Walton … Cast, Guard
• Lloyd White … Cast, Court Deputy