Product Details

• Actors: Richard Johnson, Lee J. Cobb, Joseph Cotten, John McEnery, Edward Albert
• Writers: Brando Giordani, David W. Rintels, Enzo Muzii, Eric J. Hosbawm, Gian Domenico Giagni
• Producers: Anna Muzii, Bernard J. Kingham, Brando Giordani
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: A&E Home Video
• DVD Release Date: March 27, 2007
• Run Time: 260 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 1.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000JU7JEG
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #101,433 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Origins of the Mafia" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This provocative and compelling 5-part drama from Granada International Television journeys back more than 400 years to 16th-century Sicily, where the small Italian island has fallen victim to corruption, intimidation, extortion, and brutality, all at the hands of the ruthless Gramignano family. The program then follows the development of succeeding Sicilian Mafiosos, illustrating the limitless power wielded by these fearsome and powerful men, and revealing the merciless atrocities which were carried out on any and all who dared to stand in their way.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars yes, it's a 70s tv show, July 10, 2007

By	Robert E. Selig "Bob Selig" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This TV series was run on late night ABC TV in the late seventies under the title "Legend of the Black Hand". Each episode is a separate story and each has a different cast. The series was capitalizing on the Godfather-craze of the times. Acting and production values were good (not great) for the time, and I kept wishing there had been a second series, which to my knowledge there was not. The plots become predictable and by today's standards are almost cliche.
Having said that, for some reason, I remember it fondly.

1.0 out of 5 stars ludicrous, September 7, 2009

By	Robin Ferruggia (Pinewood Springs, Colorado) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an interesting movie but has no historical accuracy. The Mafia formed to protect Sicilian people. It came to the United States because Sicilian people were being harassed and assaulted and could not get jobs. It was to prevent Sicilian people from getting harmed and abused. That's why the Sicilian people supported the Mafia. Eventually, and unfortunately, it deteriorated into a criminal organization, which is of popular attraction because there are a lot of people who wish they had what appears to be absolute power over others. They get it vicariously by watching movies like The Godfather and The Sopranos, or, in a lighter vein, from following the antics of J.R. Ewing. In Sicily today the government is cracking down on the Mafia. This movie has adventure in it, and Eddie Albert is really handsome, but if you're looking for historical facts, look elsewhere.

5 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME, March 24, 2007

By	Art Deresh - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Forget this one, Bad acting, Bad screenplay. looks like a old 70's TV show
no budget, I wonder what old dungeion they dug this up from. Boring go
no where serius. cheap cheap cheap. All costumes look like they were holloween rentals at a bad mascerade party.