The Mafia Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 15, 2026
Movie Overview: The Mafia
| Movie | The Mafia |
| Release Year | 1972 |
| Director | Leopoldo Torre Nilsson |
| Genre | Crime |
| Runtime | 120 minutes (2h 0m) |
| Language | ES |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Mafia (1972) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Mafia are led by Alfredo Alcón . The supporting cast, including Thelma Biral and José Slavin , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While The Mafia does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Crime films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Mafia has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Crime fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Mafia
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1972, The Mafia is a Crime film directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson, written by Beatriz Guido. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Alfredo Alcón as Luciano Pennoa.
Ending Explained: The Mafia
The Mafia Ending Explained: The business of the Donato family, an Italian-Argentine criminal organization, is a success. Directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson, this 1972 crime film stars Alfredo Alcón (Luciano Pennoa), alongside Thelma Biral as Ada Donato, José Slavin as Francesco Donato, China Zorrilla as Assunta Donato. With a 6.3/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of The Mafia?
The business of the Donato family, an Italian-Argentine criminal organization, is a success. They have bought judges, lawyers and even politicians, but after a kidnapping goes wrong, a civil war starts in the Donato crime family. Based on a real event of the Galiffi crime family, a real Italian pro-Fascism mafia that conquered in the 1920's and 1930's the city of Rosario, the Chicago of Latin America.
Leopoldo Torre Nilsson's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Alfredo Alcón (Luciano Pennoa)'s journey. They have bought judges, lawyers and even politicians, but after a kidnapping goes wrong, a civil war starts in the Donato crime family.
How Does Alfredo Alcón (Luciano Pennoa)'s Story End?
- Alfredo Alcón: Alfredo Alcón's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Thelma Biral (Ada Donato): Thelma Biral's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- José Slavin (Francesco Donato): José Slavin's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
Is The Mafia Based on a True Story?
Yes — The Mafia draws from real events. The ending reflects documented outcomes, though Leopoldo Torre Nilsson has taken creative liberties in dramatizing specific scenes for cinematic impact.
What Does the Ending of The Mafia Mean?
The Mafia's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Alfredo Alcón may feel rushed. Leopoldo Torre Nilsson's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
The Mafia Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Mafia Based on a True Story?
Yes, The Mafia draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. Directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson and starring Alfredo Alcón, this crime film explores how real events have been adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version of The Mafia
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: The Mafia uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch The Mafia?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Alfredo Alcón or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
The Mafia Parents Guide & Age Rating
1972 AdvisoryWondering about The Mafia age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Mafia (1972) is 120 minutes (2h 0m). Directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson, the film runs for 120 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Mafia is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1972 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Mafia worth watching?
The Mafia is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Mafia parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Mafia identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Mafia (1972)?
The runtime of The Mafia (1972) is 120 minutes (approximately 2h 0m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
