The Black Hand (1973 film)

The Black Hand (The Birth of the Mafia) (Italian: La mano nera) is a 1973 Italian crime film written and directed by Antonio Racioppi and starring Lionel Stander, Rosanna Fratello and Michele Placido.^[2][3]

The Black Hand (The Birth of the Mafia)
Directed by	Antonio Racioppi [it]
Screenplay by	Vincio Marinucci Aldo Marcovecchio Ugo Moretti Luigi Cozzi Antonio Raciopi[1]
Story by	Carlo Infascelli[1]
Produced by	Carlo Infascelli[1]
Starring	Lionel Stander Rosanna Fratello Michele Placido Corrado Gaipa
Cinematography	Riccardo Pallottini[1]
Edited by	Cleote Conversi[1]
Music by	Carlo Rustichelli[1]
Production company	In.Ci.S Film[1]
Distributed by	Roma Film
Release date	March 16, 1973 (1973-03-16) (Italy)
Running time	90 minutes[1]
Country	Italy[1]
Language	Italian
Box office	₤230.363 million

Plot

Italian-American cop Joe Petrosino infiltrates the Mafia in the early 1900s New York.

Cast

• Lionel Stander as Lt. Joe Petrosino
• Rosanna Fratello as Angela
• Michele Placido as Antonio Turris
• Corrado Gaipa as Avvocato
• Luigi Pistilli as Don Nunzio Pantaleo
• Philippe Leroy as The Professor
• Roger Browne as State Attorney
• Nino Vingelli as Don Gaetano
• Annie Carol Edel as Mary
• Mario Frera as Don Salvatore
• Gilberto Galimberti as Tano Massara
• Gianni Manera as Berto
• Giacomo Rizzo as Nicola Gerace
• Salvatore Billa as Hechman

Production

Luigi Cozzi, one of the nine credited screenwriters on the film that producer Carlo Infascelli wanted to change the script depending on the actors demands.^[1] For example, Cozzi claims that Infascelli had to change the film per Phillipe Leroy's request.^[1] Cozzi noted that he was phoned by Infascelli and was told to change the scenes per Leroy's demands within 24 hours.^[1] Cozzi noted he was often phoned and told to find reasons and ways things changed.^[1]

Release

The Black Hand was released in Italy on March 16, 1973 where it was distributed theatrically by Roma Film.^[1] The film grossed 230.363 million Italian lira on its theatrical run.^[1]

Reception

John Raisback of the Monthly Film Bulletin reviewed an 85-minute dubbed version of the film, finding it having a "rambling plot line" and that large portions of the dubbed dialogue were lifted straight from The Godfather.^[4]

Remake

In 2017, Paramount announced that it has acquired the movie rights for an English language adaptation.^[5] The new film, due for release in 2018, will star Leonardo DiCaprio as Joe, and will be partly based on Stephan Talty's upcoming novelization of Petrosino's assassination.^[6]