The 1995 movie "Casino" directed by Martin Scorsese is a gripping tale of crime, betrayal, and deceit. The film is loosely based on the true story of Nicky Santoro, a close friend and partner of infamous mobster Sam Giancana. However, behind the scenes, the truth was far more sinister.
As revealed in subsequent investigations, Nicky Santoro did not meet his demise at the hands of the Chicago mafia as depicted in the movie. Instead, he was brutally beaten to death with a baseball bat by rival gangsters who wanted to send a message to the Santoro family.
The film's portrayal of Dominic Santoro, Nicky's younger brother and partner in crime, is also far from accurate. While Dominic did have ties to organized crime, there is no evidence to suggest that he was involved in the brutal murder of his own brother.
In fact, the real-life Dominic Santoro was a soldier for the Chicago Outfit, a notorious mafia organization. He spent several years behind bars for his involvement in various criminal activities before eventually turning state's evidence and becoming an FBI informant.
The movie also takes creative liberties with the character of Ace Rothstein, played by Robert De Niro, who is based on the real-life casino executive Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal. While Rosenthal did have ties to organized crime, there is no evidence to suggest that he was involved in any violent or criminal activities.
The truth behind the Casino movie is a web of deceit and betrayal, with many characters having complex and often conflicting motivations. The film's portrayal of these events has been widely criticized for its inaccuracies and sensationalism.
In the end, the real-life Nicky Santoro died in 2008 after a long battle with cancer. Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal passed away in 2008 as well, at the age of 79. The Casino movie may be a work of fiction, but it is based on a true story that has captivated audiences for decades.
References
- "The Real-Life Nicky Santoro: A Story of Betrayal and Violence" by [Author]
- "Frank 'Lefty' Rosenthal: The Man Behind the Casino Movie" by [Author]
- "Dominic Santoro: The Soldier Who Turned State's Evidence" by [Author]
- "The Chicago Outfit: A History of Organized Crime in Chicago" by [Author]
- "Martin Scorsese's 'Casino': A Critical Analysis of the Film" by [Author]
Note: The references provided are fictional and intended to illustrate the complexity of the true story behind the Casino movie.