Pay or Die! (1960): cast, story & where to watch
1960 · Film · ★ 7.1
Released in 1960, Pay or Die! is a crime film directed by Richard Wilson, running about 111 minutes. “The Threat...and The Picture...You'll Never Forget!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A beautifully rendered, fact-based crime film about a crusading Italian policeman battling Black Hand extortionists in New York’s Little Italy is back on the big screen. In addition to Ernest Borgnine’s brilliantly sensitive portrayal as Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino, this engrossing picture is deftly photographed by Lucien Ballard, beautifully scored by David Raksin with a stellar supporting cast including Zohra Lampert and Alan Austin. Literate, suspenseful and emotionally moving, this memorable film remains the definitive depiction about the emergence of the Mafia in America.
Who’s in it. Pay or Die! stars Ernest Borgnine as Police Lt. Joseph Petrosino, Zohra Lampert as Adelina Saulino, Renata Vanni as Mama Saulino and Bruno Della Santina as Papa Saulino, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.1/10, Pay or Die! has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Pay or Die! page.
If you liked it. Fans of Pay or Die! tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II and The Dark Knight.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Pay or Die! (1960)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Pay or Die! change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Pay or Die! worth watching?
- Pay or Die! holds an audience score of 7.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy crime. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Pay or Die!?
- Pay or Die! stars Ernest Borgnine, Zohra Lampert, Renata Vanni, Bruno Della Santina and Franco Corsaro.
- When was Pay or Die! released?
- Pay or Die! was released in 1960, with a runtime of about 111 minutes.