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Donnie Brasco

Play trailer 2:12 Poster for Donnie Brasco R 1997 2h 6m Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
88% Tomatometer 57 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Joseph Pistone (Johnny Depp) is an FBI agent who has infiltrated one of the major New York Mafia families and is living under the name Donnie Brasco. He develops a relationship with mob hitman Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero (Al Pacino) in order to get deeper under cover, but ends up developing a real friendship with the Mafioso. As their relationship develops, Pistone must decide whether to complete his job, knowing that it will lead to the murder of his new friend.
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Donnie Brasco

Donnie Brasco

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A stark, nuanced portrait of life in organized crime, bolstered by strong performances from Al Pacino and Johnny Depp.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek Feb 28, 2018
This is Depp's coming-of-age role, and he's terrific. Pacino, who's shown more flash than substance recently, reminds us how great he can be when he loses himself inside a character. Go to Full Review Todd McCarthy Variety Nov 20, 2008
Although perhaps familiar in its outer trappings, Pacino's fine work is the key to the film succeeding to the extent that it does. Go to Full Review Time Out Jan 26, 2006
A tense, sharp and compelling character study, Newell's film is a worthy addition to the Mob-movie canon. Go to Full Review Simon Rose Daily Mirror (UK) Sep 22, 2025
4/5
A superb movie with a brilliant performance by Pacino and some of the best movie dialogue for a long time. Go to Full Review Stephen Silver Tilt Magazine Mar 4, 2022
4/5
A fine film, though not quite a classic, mostly because it didn't break any ground, or show us a new way of telling this type of story (25th anniversary) Go to Full Review PJ Nabarro Patrick Nabarro Feb 22, 2019
3/5
A clever insight into the everyday, professional banalities of life as a low to mid-level gangster. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Joshua P @RT64526369 Oct 19, 2026 Average movie top 10 mobster movies See more Oaklee D @ODie63 Sep 24, 2026 Depp and Pacino have insane chemistry in this gripping crime drama. See more Jeremy P @Jezza_Linko Sep 19, 2026 Bad ass movie lots of killing and swearing, good storyline too See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 14, 2026 I love Crime Drama This movie = a 4.5* Star Movie! See more Nick B @NickBtheHorrorOG Sep 2, 2026 An absolute classic for anyone who loves mafia movies, crime drama, or undercover thrillers. It's similar to The Departred, only better! The only reason it lost 1/2 a star is because I could only find the edited version. I'm sure once I find and watch the full, uncut version it'll be an easy 5! See more Mickey B @Mickerdoo Aug 21, 2026 Solid undercover mob movie. Definitely keeps you anxious about what’s going to happen next. See more Read all reviews
Donnie Brasco

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Cast & Crew

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Mike Newell

Director

Al Pacino

Lefty

Johnny Depp

Donnie

Michael Madsen

Sonny

Bruno Kirby

Nicky

James Russo

Paulie

Movie Clips

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Donnie Brasco

Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - Lefty Gets a Lion Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - Lefty Gets a Lion 1:55 Now Playing Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - I'm Glad It Was Him Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - I'm Glad It Was Him 2:12 Now Playing Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - I Am Them Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - I Am Them 1:58 Now Playing Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - I Know You Know! Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - I Know You Know! 2:08 Now Playing Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - Ambush and Overthrow Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - Ambush and Overthrow 2:05 Now Playing Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - This is Life and Death Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - This is Life and Death 1:39 Now Playing Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - A Close Call Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - A Close Call 1:29 Now Playing View more videos

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Donnie Brasco

Donnie Brasco: Trailer 1 Donnie Brasco: Trailer 1 2:12 Now Playing Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - If You're a Rat... Donnie Brasco: Official Clip - If You're a Rat... 2:09 Now Playing View more videos
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Donnie Brasco

A scene from "Donnie Brasco." A scene from "Donnie Brasco." Donnie Brasco (1997) Donnie Brasco (1997) Donnie Brasco (1997) Donnie Brasco (1997) Donnie Brasco (1997) Donnie Brasco (1997) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Joseph Pistone (Johnny Depp) is an FBI agent who has infiltrated one of the major New York Mafia families and is living under the name Donnie Brasco. He develops a relationship with mob hitman Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero (Al Pacino) in order to get deeper under cover, but ends up developing a real friendship with the Mafioso. As their relationship develops, Pistone must decide whether to complete his job, knowing that it will lead to the murder of his new friend.
Director
Mike Newell
Producer
Barry Levinson, Mark Johnson, Louis DiGiaimo, Gail Mutrux
Screenwriter
Joseph D. Pistone, Richard Woodley, Paul Attanasio
Distributor
TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co
TriStar Pictures, Mandalay Entertainment, Baltimore Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 28, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$42.0M
Runtime
2h 6m
Sound Mix
Dolby, Surround, SDDS
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