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GoodFellas
"As far back as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a gangster."
Henry Hill grew up in the midst of New York City's criminal underworld, finally achieving the coveted status of "wiseguy." But in 1980, he made the decision to exchange his knowledge for a new identity. GoodFellas, Hill's own account of crude hierarchies, casual murders, and collaboration with the Feds (as a member of the Witness Protection Program) was adapted for the screen by Martin Scorsese and Nicholas Pileggi--and is now seen as a contemporary classic. The film drew rave reviews everywhere upon its theatrical release in 1990, and was nominated for Oscars in both the Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay categories.
This book also offers an introduction by David Thompson, the noted film critic and co-editor of Scorsese on Scorsese.
Henry Hill grew up in the midst of New York City's criminal underworld, finally achieving the coveted status of "wiseguy." But in 1980, he made the decision to exchange his knowledge for a new identity. GoodFellas, Hill's own account of crude hierarchies, casual murders, and collaboration with the Feds (as a member of the Witness Protection Program) was adapted for the screen by Martin Scorsese and Nicholas Pileggi--and is now seen as a contemporary classic. The film drew rave reviews everywhere upon its theatrical release in 1990, and was nominated for Oscars in both the Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay categories.
This book also offers an introduction by David Thompson, the noted film critic and co-editor of Scorsese on Scorsese.
137 pages, Paperback
First published November 25, 1990
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About the author
Martin Scorsese
117 books140 followersMartin Marcantonio Luciano Scorsese is an American Academy Award-winning film director, writer, and producer. Also affectionately known as "Marty", he is the founder of the World Cinema Foundation and a recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award for his contributions to the cinema and has won awards from the Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Directors Guild of America. Scorsese is president of the Film Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to film preservation and the prevention of the decaying of motion picture film stock.
Scorsese's body of work addresses such themes as Italian American identity, Roman Catholic concepts of guilt and redemption, machismo, and the violence endemic in American society. Scorsese is widely considered to be one of the most significant and influential American filmmakers of his era.[3] He earned an MFA in film directing from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.
Scorsese's body of work addresses such themes as Italian American identity, Roman Catholic concepts of guilt and redemption, machismo, and the violence endemic in American society. Scorsese is widely considered to be one of the most significant and influential American filmmakers of his era.[3] He earned an MFA in film directing from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 20, 2018
I saw the film about 25 years ago and only just now read the script. The film was a bit confusing at times but the screenplay does what it can to make matters worse. While based on a real honest to goodness group of mini-mobsters who were real, the ones created for the tale telling were often worse. Of course, I've also read that many of the crimes done by the guys represented in this film weren't even mentioned.
November 12, 2023
"As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster." A timeless quote from a timeless movie. Everyone has seen the classic gangster film Goodfellas. I can sincerely tell you all that Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi is every bit as good, if not a bit better even.
The movie was based off of this book and while reading it I noticed that the movie left out a lot of stuff from Pileggi's version. Most movies do this as they need to account for run time, but some of the major plot points and moments were taken out in the movie and I found the book to be all the more enjoyable for including them. I have read a TON of mafia related gangster books and Wiseguy has to be up there in the top 3 for me. This one was made even better because of the fact it is based on a the true story of Henry Hill.
An easy 5 stars for this classic! Next up I really want to read Pileggi's other mob book "Casino".
The movie was based off of this book and while reading it I noticed that the movie left out a lot of stuff from Pileggi's version. Most movies do this as they need to account for run time, but some of the major plot points and moments were taken out in the movie and I found the book to be all the more enjoyable for including them. I have read a TON of mafia related gangster books and Wiseguy has to be up there in the top 3 for me. This one was made even better because of the fact it is based on a the true story of Henry Hill.
An easy 5 stars for this classic! Next up I really want to read Pileggi's other mob book "Casino".
March 20, 2012
The best gangster movie of all time!
March 10, 2019
A devastating tragedy and a rip-roaring good time. Essential viewing for its depiction of what happens to rats and snitches—Henry Hill got what was comin’ to him.
July 12, 2025
مثل گلولهای که در سکوت از لوله بیرون میجهد، رفقای خوب با سرعتی برقآسا وارد ذهن میشود و تا مدتها از آن بیرون نمیرود. مارتین اسکورسیزی در این فیلم نه صرفاً داستان گنگسترها را روایت میکند، بلکه حماسهای مدرن از میل انسان به قدرت، لذت، وفاداری، خیانت و سقوط را میسازد؛ داستانی که در آن خشونت به سبک زندگی تبدیل شده و جنایت، نه یک استثناء، بلکه قاعدهٔ نانوشتهٔ جهان است.
هِنری هیل (با بازی درخشان ری لیوتا) راوی فیلم است. کودکیست مسحور قدرت مردانی که در خیابان با کتوشلوارهای اتوکشیده راه میروند، کسی به آنها نمیگوید چه بکنند، کسی جریمهشان نمیکند. برای هِنری، «از وقتی یادمه، همیشه میخواستم گنگستر باشم» نه فقط یک جمله است، بلکه آرزوی تحقق یک رؤیای آمریکایی معکوس است؛ رؤیایی که در آن راه نجات، خلاف است.
فیلم در سبک بصری و تدوین، شکلی دیوانهوار و سرزنده دارد: نماهای متحرک دوربین، مونتاژهای سریع، استفادهٔ هوشمندانه از موسیقی راک دهههای ۵۰ تا ۷۰، و نریشنهایی که مانند زمزمههایی از ته ذهن شخصیتها میآید. همهچیز در حرکت است، بیوقفه، بیقرار، مثل خود زندگی گنگسترها.
تامی (جو پشی) با خشمی دیوانهوار، قلب فیلم است؛ غیرقابلپیشبینی، انفجاری، مردی که مرز شوخی و تهدید را در یک لحظه جابهجا میکند. آن صحنهٔ معروف «چی تو رو خندوند؟ من خندهدارم؟» فقط نمایش یک جنون نیست؛ بیانیست از فضای خفقانآوری که در آن کوچکترین اشتباه ممکن است آخرین اشتباه باشد. رابطه میان هنری، تامی و جیمی (رابرت دنیرو) رابطهایست میان قدرت، ترس و ضرورت. سهضلعیای که اگر یکی بخواهد خارج شود، دیگری به کشتنش خواهد داد.
اما آنچه رفقای خوب را از باقی فیلمهای گنگستری جدا میکند، تصویر صادقانهاش از سقوط است. برخلاف پدرخوانده، در اینجا خبری از شکوه یا نجابت نیست. اسکورسیزی نشان میدهد که گنگستر بودن زیبا آغاز میشود اما با پارانویا، اعتیاد، خیانت، و انزوا پایان میگیرد. سقوط هنری نه در انفجاری دراماتیک، بلکه در روتینی معمولی و روزمره رقم میخورد: «حالا باید مثل همه آدمای عادی زندگی کنم... و برای من، این از زندان هم بدتره».
در لایههای عمیقتر، رفقای خوب داستان مردیست که از کودکی میخواهد مهم باشد، در مرکز توجه بایستد، و زمانی که این رؤیا را زندگی میکند، نمیداند چگونه آن را حفظ کند. فیلم، همچون زندگی، از میان لذت و ترس، وفاداری و خیانت، به جایی میرسد که حتی تماشاگر هم نمیداند چه چیز واقعیست و چه چیز فریب است. چون همهچیز سریع اتفاق میافتد، دقیقاً همانطور که در واقعیت میافتد.
این شاهکار اسکورسیزی فقط یک فیلم نیست، یک ضربآهنگ است؛ ضربان قلب جنایتی که در دل زندگی شهری میتپد. فیلمی که نه تنها ژانر گنگستری را متحول کرد، بلکه مرز میان سینما و واقعیت را باریکتر از همیشه کرد. بازبینیاش نهتنها لذتبخش، بلکه اجتنابناپذیر است؛ چون هر بار چیزی تازه برای گفتن دارد، درست مثل زندگی، یا مرگ، یا وفاداری.
هِنری هیل (با بازی درخشان ری لیوتا) راوی فیلم است. کودکیست مسحور قدرت مردانی که در خیابان با کتوشلوارهای اتوکشیده راه میروند، کسی به آنها نمیگوید چه بکنند، کسی جریمهشان نمیکند. برای هِنری، «از وقتی یادمه، همیشه میخواستم گنگستر باشم» نه فقط یک جمله است، بلکه آرزوی تحقق یک رؤیای آمریکایی معکوس است؛ رؤیایی که در آن راه نجات، خلاف است.
فیلم در سبک بصری و تدوین، شکلی دیوانهوار و سرزنده دارد: نماهای متحرک دوربین، مونتاژهای سریع، استفادهٔ هوشمندانه از موسیقی راک دهههای ۵۰ تا ۷۰، و نریشنهایی که مانند زمزمههایی از ته ذهن شخصیتها میآید. همهچیز در حرکت است، بیوقفه، بیقرار، مثل خود زندگی گنگسترها.
تامی (جو پشی) با خشمی دیوانهوار، قلب فیلم است؛ غیرقابلپیشبینی، انفجاری، مردی که مرز شوخی و تهدید را در یک لحظه جابهجا میکند. آن صحنهٔ معروف «چی تو رو خندوند؟ من خندهدارم؟» فقط نمایش یک جنون نیست؛ بیانیست از فضای خفقانآوری که در آن کوچکترین اشتباه ممکن است آخرین اشتباه باشد. رابطه میان هنری، تامی و جیمی (رابرت دنیرو) رابطهایست میان قدرت، ترس و ضرورت. سهضلعیای که اگر یکی بخواهد خارج شود، دیگری به کشتنش خواهد داد.
اما آنچه رفقای خوب را از باقی فیلمهای گنگستری جدا میکند، تصویر صادقانهاش از سقوط است. برخلاف پدرخوانده، در اینجا خبری از شکوه یا نجابت نیست. اسکورسیزی نشان میدهد که گنگستر بودن زیبا آغاز میشود اما با پارانویا، اعتیاد، خیانت، و انزوا پایان میگیرد. سقوط هنری نه در انفجاری دراماتیک، بلکه در روتینی معمولی و روزمره رقم میخورد: «حالا باید مثل همه آدمای عادی زندگی کنم... و برای من، این از زندان هم بدتره».
در لایههای عمیقتر، رفقای خوب داستان مردیست که از کودکی میخواهد مهم باشد، در مرکز توجه بایستد، و زمانی که این رؤیا را زندگی میکند، نمیداند چگونه آن را حفظ کند. فیلم، همچون زندگی، از میان لذت و ترس، وفاداری و خیانت، به جایی میرسد که حتی تماشاگر هم نمیداند چه چیز واقعیست و چه چیز فریب است. چون همهچیز سریع اتفاق میافتد، دقیقاً همانطور که در واقعیت میافتد.
این شاهکار اسکورسیزی فقط یک فیلم نیست، یک ضربآهنگ است؛ ضربان قلب جنایتی که در دل زندگی شهری میتپد. فیلمی که نه تنها ژانر گنگستری را متحول کرد، بلکه مرز میان سینما و واقعیت را باریکتر از همیشه کرد. بازبینیاش نهتنها لذتبخش، بلکه اجتنابناپذیر است؛ چون هر بار چیزی تازه برای گفتن دارد، درست مثل زندگی، یا مرگ، یا وفاداری.
May 10, 2012
This is a great script for a great movie. My only complaint about this publication is that it is a direct transcription - with the stammerings of certain line performances written in - and not the shooting script. It is still the written form of one of the best movies ever made.
February 22, 2018
nice but a lot like casino. or casino is a lot like goodfellas :-)
July 14, 2025
Goodfellas, based on the book by Nicholas Pileggi
11 out of 10
Goodfellas is not just a classic, it is beyond that, part of the History of Cinema, one of the best ten motion pictures ever made, included on various prestigious lists, up there with the very best.
The story of Henry Hill aka the unforgettable Ray Liotta is used as teaching material, Goodfellas is referenced a myriad times...yesterday, Seth Meyers was joking on his show that the voiceover from the Goodfellas would be appropriate when the latest offense is committed in The White House, by the chief Wise Guy and his acolytes.
We learn how becoming a member of the syndicate was so attractive for the adolescent Henry Hill, who would get minor assignments in the first place, he would asked to become an arsonist and then would graduate to very serious crimes.
His honest family would reject this perspective, his father would beat the boy, up to the point where the mobsters would stop the mailman from delivering bad news from school and eventually it would become to late to change the career of the teenager who is now gaining so much money from his participation in illegal activities.
He is more or less protected by Paul Cicero aka Paulie, played by the remarkable Paul Sorvino - indeed, every single artist in the cast is fantastic.
The mobsters would appreciate when the young Henry is caught by the police - well, not this exactly - and he does not say a word about the others...accomplices, source of the contraband cigarettes...he does not 'rat' on anyone in other words.
The scene where we are introduced to the various Goodfellas has become legendary...as aforementioned, the whole film is iconic.
Martin Scorsese described the technique he had used in a documentary called American Cinema.
Each mobster talks to the left of the person who walks him and explains the nicknames, as they all parade in front of the camera, that is moving through the restaurant they all frequent and which would soon become a Paulie protectorate, given that he is asked to share in the profits and patronize the place.
This happens after the famous 'what do you mean I'm funny...funny how?!' Scene.
Crazy Tommy DeVito aka the superb Joe Pesci is furious when Henry says he is funny, or at least he acts that way, only to give way to laughter.
Still, in the next few seconds, after everyone is entertained by his playing with fire, the owner of the place comes with the bill, saying politely that he had accumulated seven thousand dollars in debt.
In a flash, Tommy takes a bottle and smashes it on the head of the man who had asked him to be the godfather for his child.
Tommy is a vicious killer, sadistic to the point where he kills the poor young man who serves them drinks when they play poker, after he had shot him in the foot just to...make him dance and more importantly, because he takes pleasure in the pain he inflicts.
Together with his best friend, James Conway called Jimmy aka the majestic Robert De Niro, another monstrous figure, Tommy would kill a made man, member of the Italian Mafia and that could be the end of him.
We cannot seriously call Goodfellas educational on some levels, although being the chef d'oeuvre that it is, watching it should be required homework for its beauty, glorious acting, fabulous story, marvelous direction and the work of art that it is.
It is instructive to learn how a made man cannot touched, unless permission is given by the leaders, the godfathers, Henry and Jimmy cannot be accepted, on account of their Irish side,one has to be one hundred percent Italian, trace all its ancestors back to the home country to join this mob.
The Godfather and Goodfellas are the best films on the Mafia and together are part of the World Heritage and High Art.
While The Godfather has been criticized- people have an inherent tendency to see the negative even where there is perfection...'the mind is its own place, it can make hell out of heaven and heaven out of hell'- for presenting a glamorous view of the mobsters, Godfellas makes it clear how vicious, despicable, violent, cruel, heartless those people are.
It is the Ultimate Masterpiece!
11 out of 10
Goodfellas is not just a classic, it is beyond that, part of the History of Cinema, one of the best ten motion pictures ever made, included on various prestigious lists, up there with the very best.
The story of Henry Hill aka the unforgettable Ray Liotta is used as teaching material, Goodfellas is referenced a myriad times...yesterday, Seth Meyers was joking on his show that the voiceover from the Goodfellas would be appropriate when the latest offense is committed in The White House, by the chief Wise Guy and his acolytes.
We learn how becoming a member of the syndicate was so attractive for the adolescent Henry Hill, who would get minor assignments in the first place, he would asked to become an arsonist and then would graduate to very serious crimes.
His honest family would reject this perspective, his father would beat the boy, up to the point where the mobsters would stop the mailman from delivering bad news from school and eventually it would become to late to change the career of the teenager who is now gaining so much money from his participation in illegal activities.
He is more or less protected by Paul Cicero aka Paulie, played by the remarkable Paul Sorvino - indeed, every single artist in the cast is fantastic.
The mobsters would appreciate when the young Henry is caught by the police - well, not this exactly - and he does not say a word about the others...accomplices, source of the contraband cigarettes...he does not 'rat' on anyone in other words.
The scene where we are introduced to the various Goodfellas has become legendary...as aforementioned, the whole film is iconic.
Martin Scorsese described the technique he had used in a documentary called American Cinema.
Each mobster talks to the left of the person who walks him and explains the nicknames, as they all parade in front of the camera, that is moving through the restaurant they all frequent and which would soon become a Paulie protectorate, given that he is asked to share in the profits and patronize the place.
This happens after the famous 'what do you mean I'm funny...funny how?!' Scene.
Crazy Tommy DeVito aka the superb Joe Pesci is furious when Henry says he is funny, or at least he acts that way, only to give way to laughter.
Still, in the next few seconds, after everyone is entertained by his playing with fire, the owner of the place comes with the bill, saying politely that he had accumulated seven thousand dollars in debt.
In a flash, Tommy takes a bottle and smashes it on the head of the man who had asked him to be the godfather for his child.
Tommy is a vicious killer, sadistic to the point where he kills the poor young man who serves them drinks when they play poker, after he had shot him in the foot just to...make him dance and more importantly, because he takes pleasure in the pain he inflicts.
Together with his best friend, James Conway called Jimmy aka the majestic Robert De Niro, another monstrous figure, Tommy would kill a made man, member of the Italian Mafia and that could be the end of him.
We cannot seriously call Goodfellas educational on some levels, although being the chef d'oeuvre that it is, watching it should be required homework for its beauty, glorious acting, fabulous story, marvelous direction and the work of art that it is.
It is instructive to learn how a made man cannot touched, unless permission is given by the leaders, the godfathers, Henry and Jimmy cannot be accepted, on account of their Irish side,one has to be one hundred percent Italian, trace all its ancestors back to the home country to join this mob.
The Godfather and Goodfellas are the best films on the Mafia and together are part of the World Heritage and High Art.
While The Godfather has been criticized- people have an inherent tendency to see the negative even where there is perfection...'the mind is its own place, it can make hell out of heaven and heaven out of hell'- for presenting a glamorous view of the mobsters, Godfellas makes it clear how vicious, despicable, violent, cruel, heartless those people are.
It is the Ultimate Masterpiece!
February 20, 2025
I always think of the time the real Henry Hill was on the Howard Stern show talking about his experience with the mafia and how he ratted everyone out for freedom, then a caller dialled into the show claiming he was one of the goodfellas that worked with Henry and that he would kill Henry when he walked out of Stern’s studio.
Nothing happened to Henry but Jesus Christ, I can only imagine what a crazy situation that must’ve been for both Henry and Howard.
Nothing happened to Henry but Jesus Christ, I can only imagine what a crazy situation that must’ve been for both Henry and Howard.
August 8, 2023
Amazing book, really breaks down mafia life and depicts the reality of crime to a in-depth detail. Makes you feel as if though you’re a part of the Mafia and is more intense than the actual movie to see the harsh ending of Henry Hills life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2017
Entirely dialog.
February 24, 2019
I loved the movie and enjoyed the screenplay
January 28, 2020
Overall, is was a pretty good story that has great dialogue and action.
July 19, 2021
I can vividly picture this becoming a very successful film one day
January 14, 2022
بعد از خوندن این فیلمنامه یه بار دیگه فهمیدم که چقدر کارگردانی و بازی های خوب تاثیر داره
January 14, 2008
When he was twelve Henery Hill wanted to become a gangster, or a wiseguy.He thought Being a wiseguy was better than being President of the United States. To be a wiseguy was to own the world.
Wiseguy is one of Nicholas Pileggi's really good bokes ithnk its a best seller, I would say its one of the most intense books ever written of life inside the deadly high-stakes world of what some people call the Mafia. Wiseguy is a story about Henry Hill's life starting at the age of twelve in the mafia. in outstanding , electrifing detail, the never before revealed day to day life of a working in a gang or a mafia. His life in the mofia if crazy. He goes on wild shoping sprees with stolen credit crads, he goes on rampages stealing and killing, he has a wife, he has a mistresses.
Henry Hill knows where a lot of bodies are buried, and he turned Federal witness to save his own life. Hundreds of crimes including arson, extortion, hijacking, murders, and the $6 million Lufthansa heist, the biggest successful cash robbery in U.S. history, which led to ten murders. So if you really want someinsight on the mofia life take look at this book.
Wiseguy is one of Nicholas Pileggi's really good bokes ithnk its a best seller, I would say its one of the most intense books ever written of life inside the deadly high-stakes world of what some people call the Mafia. Wiseguy is a story about Henry Hill's life starting at the age of twelve in the mafia. in outstanding , electrifing detail, the never before revealed day to day life of a working in a gang or a mafia. His life in the mofia if crazy. He goes on wild shoping sprees with stolen credit crads, he goes on rampages stealing and killing, he has a wife, he has a mistresses.
Henry Hill knows where a lot of bodies are buried, and he turned Federal witness to save his own life. Hundreds of crimes including arson, extortion, hijacking, murders, and the $6 million Lufthansa heist, the biggest successful cash robbery in U.S. history, which led to ten murders. So if you really want someinsight on the mofia life take look at this book.
August 19, 2017
با اینکه قبلاً فیلم رو دیدهبودم، خوندن فیلمنامه تجربهی خوبی بود. موقع دیدن فیلم، به خاطر شلوغی و سرعت زیاد، ممکنه بعضی نکات مورد توجه قرار نگیرن.
داستان فیلم در مورد یک گانگستره که زندگی خودش رو از بچگی روایت میکنه و اونطور که خودش میگه از بچگی آرزوی گانگستر شدن رو داشته و تمام طول زندگیش عاشق شغلش بوده.
داستان فیلم در مورد یک گانگستره که زندگی خودش رو از بچگی روایت میکنه و اونطور که خودش میگه از بچگی آرزوی گانگستر شدن رو داشته و تمام طول زندگیش عاشق شغلش بوده.
January 31, 2024
Amazing true story!!! Enjoyed getting a real perspective of a wiseguy(ganster). Nicholas pileggi gave us every little detail of the crimes Henery and his fellow gangsters did. A downfall in this book, is not giving us more character detail to fall in love with, it is hard to sympathize and enjoy a book when your not attached to them or can relate with the characters.
April 23, 2008
thats a good ass movie lol i have like seen all the movies not reading them lol
June 8, 2008
Part interview, part first-person narrative look inside the world of the mafia as told by one of its own. Interesting but not riveting.
March 4, 2009
pag20-265
July 31, 2011
It is a good story about the rise and fall of Henry Hill, who becomes a gangster.
The story concists of violence, robbery, drugs and being an informer for the police.
The story concists of violence, robbery, drugs and being an informer for the police.
June 29, 2012
Along with every installment of star wars,the Godfather, parts 1 + 2, and taxi driver, among the most over rated nonsense ever.
Want to read
April 19, 2013Bought: April 19, 2013
Location: Booksale (Makati Cinema Square)
Price: P50
Location: Booksale (Makati Cinema Square)
Price: P50
September 1, 2016
An appalling masterpiece. Brutally unquestioned. This was an enjoyable read but ultimately one of those rare ones in which the film was better. Recommend this book.
December 19, 2017
من فیلم رو قبلا دیده بودم و خوندن فیلمنامه باعث شد دید جالبی نسبت بهش پیدا کنم. اولین تجربه فیلمنامه خوندن بود و خیلی حس خوبی بهم داد
March 10, 2021
This exactly what it says, a screenplay. I love the movie Goodfellas, which is based on actual people and true events. This was entertaining enough.
Read
May 26, 2022It’s past time for Martin Scorsese, Ray Liota, and Howard Stern to make a sequel to Goodfellas.
update 5/26/22: Too late. R.I.P. Ray Liota (1954-2022)
update 5/26/22: Too late. R.I.P. Ray Liota (1954-2022)
August 12, 2012
Great book better then the movie if you can believe it...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews