The Death Collector

A very accurate depiction of small time mob life filmed in New Jersey. The story, characters and script are believable but the acting drops the ball. Still, it's worth watching, especially for the strong images, some still with me even though I first viewed this 25 years ago.

A young hood steps up and starts doing bigger things (tries to) but these things keep going wrong, leading the local boss to suspect that his end is being skimmed off, not a good place to be if you enjoy your health, or life.

This is the film that introduced Joe Pesce to Martin Scorsese. Also present is that perennial screen wise guy, Frank Vincent. Strong on characterizations and visuals. Sound muddled and much of the acting is amateurish, but a great story.

It was an interesting and entertaining movie well worth watching. The acting was decent but it may be out of date for some people. I was glad to see cast members of such highly acclaimed movies as "Raging Bull" and "Goodfellas" in this movie A great and dramatic ending and pretty good writing.

"The Death Collector" is a very cheaply made film with mostly lesser-known actors although the posters play up Joe Pesci being in the film, as he became a huge star in later years. And, with such an inexpensive project, you expect the film to stink. However, oddly, it didn't. Now I am NOT saying it's a great film by any standard, but considering the costs involved the finished product has some merit.

Jerry Bolanti (Joe Cortese) is a young punk who wants to work his way up through the mob the quick way. Despite having little in the way of common sense, he manages to get a job as a debt collector and he seems well on his way up the chain of command. Suddenly, he's somebody. However, when one of his cases goes sour and nearly kills him, soon he's in serious trouble...and practically everyone seems ready to kill him!! What's next?

The worst thing about the film is its uneven acting. Some is quite good...some seems a bit amateurish. However, it's never dull...and that makes it worth seeing.

I should point out that this film is NOT for everyone. It's really violent and early in the film there is some pretty extreme nudity. Do not show it to your kids or Father O'Malley if he drops by for a visit!

I saw a version of this in a 4 DVD Mafia collection put out by Brentwood and I have to admit that it was a good film. The quality was a little worse for the wear, but it was a well acted and realistic drama involving low level New Jersey gangsters. Pesci once again though, steels the show!

So ya think you've seen every Mafia movie ever made! Here's one that nobody every heard of. It's a low-budget, quickie B-movie - shot in the swamps of Jersey. For us mob-movie fans, it had a little bit of everything - sex, violence, cursing, and wise guys acting like "gafones". While violence dominated the movie, I found myself laughing at some familiar scenes I've since seen on The Sopranos and Goodfellas. Look for a 1977 version of the "Badabing Girls" in the beginning of the movie.

All our favorite mobster stereotypes were featured here. And, as for realism, "fugettaboutit"! Joe Pesci was superb, portraying the classic wise-guy character like we seen him do so many times over the years. This was probably his first shot, and it was a gem. Pesci fans should run to the video store to check out this flick. You have to look carefully for it since it goes by different names. My copy called it "The Family Enforcer". Here it is known as "The Death Collector". But whatever name it goes under, it's should be called - A Winner.