Watch The Brotherhood

The Brotherhood is a crime thriller that explores the lives and activities of the Sicilian Mafia and their influence on family, community and loyalty. The movie is set in Sicily and New York City and features an all-star cast led by Kirk Douglas, Alex Cord, and Irene Papas. The plot centers around Frank Ginetta played by Kirk Douglas, and his two brothers Rico and Vinnie, who all belong to a powerful Sicilian Mafia family operating in New York City. Frank, the eldest of the three, is a respected and feared capo who is responsible for the family's lucrative operation of a garbage and sanitation company. He oversees the pickups of trash in the city and oversees the burial of evidence that may incriminate their illegal activities. However, trouble arises when a law enforcement investigation threatens to expose their illegal activities putting their entire operation at risk.

Meanwhile, the youngest brother Vinnie (played by Alex Cord) is a hot-headed, and impulsive Sicilian-American who is eager to prove himself to the family. He dreams of being made and joining the family's inner circle of leadership. However, Vinnie's willingness to cross lines pushes him into a deadly rivalry with one of the family's bosses, Sal (George Maharis). Vinnie goes on a series of violent stunts in order to prove his worth, but he puts the family's reputation and Frank's leadership under a constant threat.

Amidst all of these complications, an unexpected visitor adds to the already chaotic situation. A beautiful stranger, Sarina (Irene Papas), enters Frank's life and disrupts the careful balance of his world. Sarina claims to be Frank's half-sister, the daughter of the family's former boss after an affair with Frank's mother. Her presence has an immediate impact on the family's power dynamic, as other siblings challenge Frank's leadership and their authority.

The Brotherhood skillfully illustrates the different aspects of Mafia culture such as power, honor, and loyalty, and their intersection with Italian-American culture and family dynamics. The family code of silence, or Omertà, becomes a recurring theme throughout the film. It highlights the intense pressure and danger that the characters face from outsiders as well as betrayal within the family.

Kirk Douglas' solid performance as Frank and Alex Cord's character portrayal of the fiery, and unpredictable Vinnie captures the conflict of leadership and loyalty within the family. Irene Papas' portrayal of Sarina, who tempts Frank away from his leadership position, serves as a symbolic representation of the challenges of leadership that he is facing.

The movie further explores the urban landscape of New York City, where the Mafia culture is a prominent force. The look and sound of the film highlight the grittiness of urban life, capturing the energy and danger associated with the characters involved in the Mafia. The score of the film, composed by Jeff Alexander, has a distinct jazz flavor that suits the moody and suspenseful moments of the film.

In the end, The Brotherhood provides an engaging and thrilling look into the world of the Mafia and its impact on society. Its characters are vivid, and the movie's style captures the era's gritty urban landscape. It's an immersive movie that delves into the complex and sometimes violent lives of the Sicilian Mafia, with Kirk Douglas, Alex Cord, and Irene Papas delivering memorable performances.

The Brotherhood is a 1968 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.