Pay or Die! poster
FilmCrime

Pay or Die! (1960)

1960-07-27 · 1h 51m · EN
71%
User score
7 votes
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The Threat...and The Picture...You'll Never Forget!

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.

Read the Pay or Die! feature →
Richard WilsonDirectorRichard CollinsWriterBertram MillhauserWriter

Media

Top billed cast

Full cast & crew →
Ernest BorgnineErnest BorgninePolice Lt. Joseph PetrosinoZohra LampertZohra LampertAdelina SaulinoRenata VanniRenata VanniMama SaulinoBruno Della SantinaBruno Della SantinaPapa SaulinoFranco CorsaroFranco CorsaroVito ZarilloRobert F. SimonRobert F. SimonPolice CommissionerRobert EllensteinRobert EllensteinLuigi Di SarnoHoward CaineHoward CaineEnrico CarusoBarry RussoBarry RussoLupo Miano (as John Duke)Vito ScottiVito ScottiOfficer SimonettiJohn MarleyJohn MarleyD. Caputo, RagmanSheryl DeauvilleSheryl DeauvilleGirl attacked in Laundry Scene by Mafia

Keywords

Little italy

Movie DNA

Genre affinityCrimeTheme affinityLittle ItalyDirector preference164948Actor preference172486 · 159987 · 130730Country preferenceUsDecade preference1960

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Frequently asked questions about Pay or Die!

What is Pay or Die! 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.

How long is Pay or Die!?

Pay or Die! has a runtime of 111 minutes.