Is Goodfellas actually based on a true story? Explained

Based on Nicholas Pileggi's 1985 book Wiseguy, Martin Scorsese's 1990 film Goodfellas is an acclaimed crime thriller. Starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, and Paul Sorvino, it follows mob associate Henry Hill's life in the criminal underworld from the 1950s to the 1980s, offering a realistic portrayal of mafia life.

The film's synopsis reads,

"A young man grows up in the mob and works very hard to advance himself through the ranks. He enjoys his life of money and luxury, but is oblivious to the horror that he causes. A drug addiction and a few mistakes ultimately unravel his climb to the top. Based on the book "Wiseguy" by Nicholas Pileggi."

A prevalent question that is brought up by the film's gripping story and realistic portrayal of the mafia is: Is Goodfellas based on a true story? Without a doubt, the answer is yes. The majority of the plot and characters of Goodfellas are based on true stories.

It included the well-known 1978 Lufthansa heist at JFK Airport. It was one of the biggest cash thefts in American history. The movie's protagonists are based on real-life mob figures. Martin Scorsese's work and the narrative does a great job of depicting their ascent and decline.

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Goodfellas is based on a true story

The tale behind Goodfellas is real. The 1985 nonfiction book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi details the actual experiences of former mob associate Henry Hill. This served as the basis for the movie adaptation. The film chronicles Hill's ascent through the ranks of the Lucchese crime family. His involvement in significant illegal acts, and his final cooperation with the FBI, accurately portray his life in organized crime.

In Goodfellas, Ray Liotta plays Henry Hill, Robert De Niro portrays James "Jimmy the Gent" Burke (based on a real person, with Joe Pesci's character Tommy DeSimone renamed to Tommy DeVito), and Robert De Niro also plays Jimmy Conway. The film not only offers a gripping crime drama but also depicts the harsh reality of mafia life, including real-life events like the 1978 Lufthansa robbery at JFK Airport.

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Goodfellas: Plot of the movie

In the film Goodfellas, Ray Liotta portrays Henry Hill, an aspirant gangster who joins the Lucchese criminal family in New York City. Henry's early infatuation with the mafia in the 1950s sets the stage for the beginning of the story. He starts doing errands for local gangsters out of a desire to escape his boring life. And he soon earns their trust.

As he gets older, Henry gets more and more entangled in organized crime. He collaborates with mob figures Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci) and Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro). Collectively, they partake in an array of illicit pursuits, encompassing drug trafficking, extortion, and robbery. Henry relishes the riches and influence that come with leading a criminal life. But he also constantly runs the risk of being violently betrayed.

The real-life heist of millions of dollars, the 1978 Lufthansa heist, is one of the film's key moments. Following the heist, the gang members experience distrust and paranoia. This drives them to commit a string of savage killings in an attempt to eliminate possible informants.

As Henry gets more and more involved in drug selling, his life starts to fall apart. This ultimately results in his imprisonment and the breakdown of his marriage to Karen Hill (Lorraine Bracco). Henry chooses to work with the FBI. He learns that his previous associates could threaten him with violence and send him to prison.

As a result of his evidence, a number of significant mob members were found guilty. Henry is placed in the witness protection program, therefore ending his career as a "wiseguy."

The compelling film Goodfellas explores power, loyalty, and the fallout from a life of crime. It portrays the mob's beautiful lifestyle and its attraction. But it also highlights its inherent risks and eventual demise.

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Goodfellas is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Stay tuned for more updates.