Men of Respect
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Men of Respect is a 1991 film adaptation of William Shakespeare's play Macbeth starring John Turturro as Mike Battaglia, a mafia hitman who climbs his way to the top by killing his own boss. Directed by William C. Reilly, this is actually not the first attempt to transplant Macbeth to the American mob culture, as this had already been done before in the 1955 film Joe MacBeth.
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[edit] The D'Amico Crime Family
[edit] History
The D’Amico Family is a fictional New York based Organized Crime Family of La Cosa Nostra that surfaced during 1991 which was a period of turmoil for an otherwise low key and prosperous organization. The D’Amicos, named for its long-time patriarch Charlie “The Little Padrino” D’Amico, has interests in several clubs, diners and laundry mats, including The Las Vegas Parlor, Whitestone Billiards as well as traditional rackets such as gambling and loansharking from Riversdale to Westend, Belmont, Fordham, Fremont and Concourse.
Charlie “The Little Padrino” D’Amico
Longtime patriarch of the family that bears his name, Charlie D’Amico was an older generation Mafia boss who was regarded as fair in an otherwise unfair world. Despite living in a nice 2 story mansion, D’Amico nurtured and formed his Family to be a low key back room organization. Towards his last years in the early 1990’s, he estranged himself from his underlings with his intentions to have his sons succeed him. These underlings included Carmello Rossi, long time crime family consigliere; Vincent Codaro and Mike Battaglia.
The Codaro War
Vincent “Vinny” Codaro was a ranking lieutenant in the D’Amico Family who launched a massive attack against D’Amico interests with the aide of Greek Mob boss Alli “The Greek” Bernacci, also viewed as another D’Amico lieutenant by local authorities. The attack was geared towards the financial backbone of the family including the Las Vegas Parlor, Whitestone Billiards, the diners and drycleaners on the North End as well as several attacks against D’Amico policy people in Fordham as well as the murder of Louie Fench who was found in the Bronx River, who was viewed as the muscle in Westchester.
This attack hit the D’Amicos without warning. Without the proper muscle to retaliate, Carmello Rossi advised Charlie D’Amico to make peace with Codaro and the Greek and retire to Florida. An advisement that wasn’t popular with the D’Amicos.
The Battaglia-Como Attack
When news of the Codaro scheme surfaced, Mike Battaglia and Bankie Como, two soldiers in the D’Amico Family joined forces with Sal [D’Amico], D’Amico cousin and another upcoming force in the family. Despite being soldiers, all three commanded considerable respect in their own circles with underlings at their disposal. They met outside the Poseidon Adventure, an upscale Greek restaurant where Alli “The Greek” Bernacci was dining with most of his crew following the attack against the D’Amicos.
Mike Battaglia entered the restaurant and approached Bernacci and shot him and point blank range and attacked other members of the Greek mob. The Greek gangsters who attempted to leave the restaurant were murdered by associates of Bankie Como. This effectively ended the Greek’s influence in the Codaro War and left Vincent Codaro weak.
Mike Battaglia
Battaglia was regarded by his peers as a brave and cunning soldier, who commanded respect from those who feared him. When news of Battaglias actions against the Greek’s murder surfaced, Vincent Codaro was murdered and Battaglia was rewarded with a promotion of caporegime.
A meeting was held at the Fedora Bar, a restaurant owned by Mike Battaglia, where the majority of D’Amico family members met and Charlie D’Amico presided over. He announced the retirement of Carmello Rossi at the surprise of the rest of the Family, an action not kindly accepted, and mentioned his intentions for his two sons, Mal and Don, to succeed him.
The next morning, Charlie D’Amico was found dead in an apartment in the back of the Fedora Bar, also owned by Battaglia, by Matt Duffy, a close Irish associate of D’Amico. When the news broke out, Mike Battaglia grew angry and murdered D’Amico’s bodyguards, Ray and Jamesy, openly accusing them of conspiring with Carmello Rossi. Battaglia’s actions were met with suspicion by Bankie Como and Matt Duffy, who secretly suspected that Battaglia may have had a hand in D’Amico’s murder.
Charlie D’Amico’s funeral was attended by members of the family and Family, many of whom turned to Mike Battaglia as a possible successor. Mal and Don D’amico, noticing the change, opted to disappear until they found out what really happened. Don went to Toronto, Canada and Mal went to Florida, leaving the throne open for Battaglia to assume.
Padrino Battaglia
Mike Battaglia as boss was paranoid, inept and brutal. He became an underworld despot, ordering the murder of anyone he suspected as a threat to his power, including former ally Bankie Como and his unconnected son, Matt Duffy a former associate of the D’Amicos. At his coronation as boss, a drunken Battaglia estranged two powerful soldiers of his Family by threatening and attacking one, as well as shouting the name of the deceased Bankie Como.
Most of the family looked towards Sal D’Amico, Battaglia’s underboss, for any form of order. Despite being young and inexperienced, he was the one who ran the family while Battaglia loomed over it.
Battaglia was looked upon with great fear, as he could openly attack or order the murder of anyone he suspected. Towards the end, he was nearly insane, constantly repeating that “no man of woman born can touch me.”
The D’Amico-Rossi Faction
Remnants of defectors under Battaglia’s reign sought refuge in Florida, in the mansion of Padrino Ricci, where he presided over a truce and an alliance between Mal D’Amico and Carmello Rossi. In the end a faction was borne, composed of Mal and Don D’Amico, Carmello Rossi, Matt Duffy and Carmine and Leonetti. Ultimatums were also made: that Mal D’Amico would be Boss, Don D’Amico would be Underboss and Carmello Rossi would be returned as Consigliere. One final ultimatum would be that Matt Duffy would be the man who killed Battaglia, the man who ordered the murder of Duffy but succeeded only in murdering his wife and child. The only addendum towards this meeting was the mention of Philly Como, son of the late Bankie Como, who was looked upon by Carmello Rossi of having potential of some day becoming a man of honor.
Battaglias War
Battaglias control over a family, once tight and prosperous, was becoming more and more unraveled. The money was drying up and no longer coming in from places like the Vegas Parlor. Battaglia ordered Sal D’Amico to investigate.
Sal’s body was found outside the Fedora Bar where Mike Battaglia and several of his followers were at the time. Mike ordered Pete, Artie and Ralphie to stand guard outside while he, Sammy and Felix armored up for war. Instead Pete, Artie and Ralphie deserted in a car only to be murdered by D’Amico-Rossi gunmen. Sammy and Felix was murdered in the back of the restaurant while Mike Battaglia survived, seemingly untouchable against anyone who came against him.
Matt Duffy arrived to the scene and Mike shouted that “no man of women born” can touch him. Duffy responds that he was born unnaturally by caesarian section therefore is “not a man of woman born.” The two fought and Battaglia was murdered.
Padrino D’Amico
The D’Amico Crime Family returned to its low key style that Charlie D’Amico maintained for years. As initially agreed upon, Mal D’Amico was installed as boss, Don as underboss and Carmello Rossi returned as Consigliere. Philly Como was made into the family as a man of honor. Nothing has been heard regarding the D'Amico Crime Family since.
[edit] Administration
- Mal D’Amico – Boss (Son of Charles “the Little Padrino” D’Amico. Assumed control of D’Amico Family following the murder of Mike Battaglia)
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- Don D’Amico – Underboss (Son of Charles “The Little Padrino” D’Amico)
- Carmello Rossi – Consigliere (Reinstalled by Mal D’Amico)
Emeritus
- Mike Battaglia – Boss (Assumed control of D’Amico Family after plotting the murder of former Boss Charles “The Little Padrino” D’Amico. Murdered in retribution by Matt Duffy)
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- Sal – Underboss (nephew to Charles “The Little Padrino” D’Amico, murdered for his loyalty to Mike Battaglia)
- Charles “The Little Padrino” D’Amico – Boss (Longtime Boss of the D’Amico Crime Family. Viewed as fair and honorable in underworld circles. Murdered by Mike Battaglia in a grab for power)
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- Carmello Rossi – Consigliere (Longtime advisor to Charles D’Amico, initially regarded as a threat to D’Amico’s plan to install his sons as his successors. Demoted by D’Amico but reinstated by Mal D’Amico upon his ascendance to Boss)
[edit] Capiregime
Battaglia Crew
- Mike Battaglia - Capo - (Promoted to Caporegime as a reward for murdering The Greek, who was a rival to Charles “The Little Padrino” D’Amico)
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- Felix – Soldier – Murdered by D’Amico-Rossi faction.
- Sammy – Soldier – Murdered by D’Amico-Rossi faction.
- Pete – Soldier – Intended to defect to D’Amico-Rossi faction, murdered before the opportunity arose.
- Artie – Soldier – Intended to defect to D’Amico-Rossi faction, murdered before the opportunity arose.
- Ralphie – Soldier – Intended to defect to D’Amico-Rossi faction, murdered before the opportunity arose.
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- Ruthie Battaglia – Associate – Wife of Mike Battaglia, carries considerable influence on his decisions. Commits suicide due to guilt from D’Amico’s murder.
- Bingo – Associate (Manager of The Fedora Bar, owned by Mike Battaglia
- Sterling – Associate (Employee of The Fedora Bar)
- Interests – The Fedora Bar is an upscale restaurant owned by Mike Battaglia and operated by Bingo
Emeritus
- Vincent “Vinny” Cordaro - Capo - (Plotted with Alli “The Greek” Bernacci) against Charles “The Little Padrino” D’Amico. Murdered.
- Interests – Considered a major power figure from Riversdale down to the Westside of NY with additional interests in Belmont.
[edit] Additional Members
- Bankie Como – Influential loanshark from Fremont who has considerable amount of enforcers at his aide. Seen as a threat to Battaglia’s power. Murdered.
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- Philip “Philly” Como – Associate – MBA Baruch College educated son of Bankie Como. Initially legitimate outsider slowly exposed to his father’s associates. Seen by elder D’Amico Crime Family members as a capable kid with new ideas. Initiated as a member by Mel D’Amico upon his ascension to Boss.
- Jamesey – Bodyguard to Charlie “The Little Padrino” D’Amico the night of his murder. Swiftly murdered and blamed for the murder of D’Amico by Mike Battaglia.
- Ray – Bodyguard to Charlie “The Little Padrino” D’Amico the night of his murder. Swiftly murdered and blamed for the murder of D’Amico by Mike Battaglia.
- Carmine – D’Amico loyalist. Viewed Battaglia’s rise with skepticism, aided Mal in a rival faction against Battaglia.
- Leonetti - D’Amico loyalist. Viewed Battaglia’s rise with skepticism, aided Mal in a rival faction against Battaglia. Viewed as a power over the Vegas Parlor, clubs and additional interests on the concourse.
- Louie Fench – Muscle in Westchester, found murdered in Bronx River during the Cordaro dispute.
[edit] Associates
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- Padrino Ricci – Florida LCN Boss who brokers the alliance between Mal D’Amico and Carmello Rossi, which forms the rival faction against Battaglia.
- Alli “The Greek” Bernacci – Powerful Greek Mob Boss, originally or wrongfully viewed by authorities as a D’Amico Crime Family lieutenant. Backed Vincent Cardaro’s plot to overthrow Charlie “The Little Padrino” D’Amico. Murdered by Battaglia at The Poseidon Adventure Restaurant.
- Matt Duffy – Highly valued Irish Associate who controls territory in Kingbridge. Seen as a rival to Battaglias power and survived an attempt on his life. Murdered Battaglia in retribution for the murder his wife and son.
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- Shea – Duffy Associate
- Beda – Russian associate of Sal, D’Amico’s nephew and newly minted Battaglia Underboss who is given the contract to murder Bankie and Philly Como.
- Aldo – Beda associate and Russian gangster who murdered Bankie but failed, at Battaglias displeasure, to successfully murder Philly.
[edit] Additional Interests
- Whitestone Billiards - An after hours joint which was attacked by the Cardaro faction.
- Fordham – The D’Amico Crime Family controlled Policy there before the Cardaro’s attacked them.
- Diner and Drycleaners on North End
[edit] Cast
| Actor | Role | MacBeth Equivilancy |
|---|---|---|
| John Turturro | Mike Battaglia | MacBeth |
| Katherine Borowitz | Ruthie Battaglia | Lady MacBeth |
| Denis Farina | Bankie Como | Banquo |
| Peter Boyle | Matt Duffy | MacDuff |
| Rod Steiger | Charlie D'Amico | King Duncan |
| Stanley Tucci | Mal | Malcom |
| Carl Capotorto | Don | Donaldbain |
| Michael Badalucco | Sal | Seyton |
| Robert Modica | Carmello Rossi | Ross |
| David Thornton | Philly Como | Fleance |
| Dan Grimaldi | Carmine | Caithness |
| Joseph Carberry | Leonetti | Lennox |
| Richard Petrocelli | Artie | Angus |
| Edward Gallardo | Manuel | Menteith |
| Joseph Ragno | Padrino Ricci | Siward |
[edit] External links
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