He dressed like Sinatra, ran Queens like Capone, and smiled like a guy who already knew the jury was bought.
This is real-life Godfather sh*t.
“Get Gotti” is a deep dive into the life of one of the most notorious mafia bosses in American history—John Gotti.
Trailer for “Get Gotti”
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- Gotti had Paul Castellano shot outside Sparks Steak House in Manhattan. Right on the sidewalk. In front of Christmas shoppers. Gotti watched from a car across the street. Then took over the Mafia.
- On Thanksgiving, the FBI snuck into an old lady’s apartment above Gotti’s club. She was out of town. They hid a mic in the ceiling. That bug caught mob secrets—and helped bring down Gotti.
- In 1992, Gotti’s underboss, Sammy “The Bull” Gravano, flipped after hearing Gotti trash him on tape. He’d killed 19 people, but ratted to save himself. Sammy got 5 years. Gotti got life.
Watch “Get Gotti”
You can watch “Get Gotti” on Netflix here.
Check JustWatch for other streaming options.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 85/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 84/100 (Users); 67/100 (Critics)
Director’s Note: Directed by Sebastian Smith known for his work on true crime documentaries such as “Hear No Evil” (2017) and “Paranormal Witness” (2011–2013). Smith brings his signature approach to real-life criminal investigations to “Get Gotti”. Runtime: 154 minutes.
Release Date: October 24, 2023 (Netflix Global Release)
My Review of “Get Gotti”
The Setup
“Get Gotti” takes you right into the middle of New York’s mafia world. It tells the story of how John Gotti rose to power after helping kill Gambino boss Paul Castellano in 1985. Gotti had style—fancy clothes, slicked-back hair, and lots of confidence. But behind that smooth look was a violent crime boss who ran the Gambino family.
More Highlights from the Doc
- The doc shows how Gotti became the “Dapper Don,” a man who made mafia life glamorous. He defied authority and was loved by the public, often seen in designer suits and surrounded by loyal henchmen.
- It shows the often-deadly legal battles Gotti faced. Gotti went to trial several times, but nothing stuck—at least at first. He and his team were good at finding ways to beat the system.
- Along with old video clips, the doc features interviews with cops, reporters, and people who once worked with Gotti. Their stories help explain how Gotti rose to power—and how he fell.
Cameos
- Sammy “The Bull” Gravano – Gotti’s underboss who later flipped. He shares why he turned on Gotti and what led to the betrayal.
- John Gleeson – The federal prosecutor who helped bring Gotti down. He gives insight into the courtroom battles.
- Curtis Sliwa – Founder of the Guardian Angels, who was targeted in a hit allegedly tied to Gotti’s crew.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- Even though Gotti was a criminal, he earned a massive following, which made him one of the most famous mafia figures of the 80s and 90s.
- His lawyers used tricks like scaring jurors or messing with the system to help Gotti win cases. That’s part of how he stayed in charge of the Gambino family for so many years.
Wrap Up
“Get Gotti” showcases the rise, reign, and eventual downfall of one of the most famous mafia bosses ever. It’s about crime, power, betrayal, and the media circus that followed Gotti’s every move.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc