Expert explains how Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning crime thriller gets some mafia details wrong

The departed gets some mafia details wrong, says an expert who explains the inaccuracies. Director: Martin Scorsese, The departed is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs It follows an undercover cop and a Boston Police Department spy who try to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang. The departed The cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga, Alec Baldwin, Anthony Anderson and James Badge Dale.

In a insider Video, A former member of the Hong Kong mafia, Jimmy Tsui, analyzed Hong Kong mafia scenes in films and television, including the realism of the triads dealing with the Irish mafia. The departed. Watch the following part of the video:

Tsui, a former member of the Sun Yee On triad in Hong Kong and Tung On in New York's Chinatown, collapsed The departed Scene where Costello's team meets Chinese criminals to sell them stolen microprocessors. Tsui sees some inaccuracies in the scene and rates it 5/10 in terms of overall realism. Read his full comments below:

Just like the Lord says, why do you only carry a machine gun when you start a war and you carry a machine gun. The Hong Kong Triad is a business, you can imagine. They do anything that is profitable, so they don't care who they do business with as long as it is of interest. I have heard of cooperation with the Mexican cartel, the Italian mafia, the Thai mafia, the Japanese yakuza, but I have never heard of the Irish mafia.

Okay, honestly, I've never heard of having to use an interpreter to do that. That's what I've seen when I've dealt with the Thai people: Find someone who speaks Thai. With the Japanese, find someone who speaks Japanese. We're not going to hire someone to act as an interpreter and do that thing. If a member of the triads is dealing with another group and someone is exhibiting that kind of behavior, I think I'm going to quit. I'm going to turn around and quit. We do business. We don't fight each other. One is bigger and no one is higher. Nothing.

And these deals only exist in the movies. They try to buy microprocessors from them. How are you going to prove that it's real or not? There are a lot of fakes in mainland China, whether it's watches, suits, sneakers or jewelry. If they want to buy a product, why don't they just make a fake? It's much cheaper and easier. I give this movie a five. In reality, that's not going to happen.

How realistic is “The Departed”?

The microprocessor scene deserves a closer look

As a whole, The departed contains a strong sense of realismfor which Scorsese and his screenwriter William Monahan went to great lengths. The film is loosely based on the real-life Boston Winter Hill Gang, with the character of Colin Sullivan based on corrupt FBI agent John Connolly and Costello based on Whitney Bulger, an Irish-American crime boss. Tom Duffy, who served with the Boston Police Department for three decades, primarily as an undercover cop investigating the Irish Mafia, served as technical advisor on the film.

In total, This real-life inspiration gave the The departedwho contributed to his success. Scorsese's film is widely praised for its trademark brutal realism, as well as its gripping gangster drama, complex morality and the exceptional performances of its all-star cast. The departed With a budget of $90 million, the film grossed over $291 million at the box office and received five Academy Award nominations, including four for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing.

However, Tsui reviews a scene in The departed This deserves a closer look. The specific plot element of the stolen military-grade microprocessors is exaggerated for dramatic effect. In reality, such high-profile and sensitive items would likely be treated with an even greater degree of secrecy and caution. While The departed is a thorough and unsparing portrayal of the Boston underworld; however, the scene involving the sale of stolen microprocessors to Chinese criminals contains some inaccuracies to enhance the dramatic effect.

Source: insider

The departed

A remake of the 2002 film Infernal Affairs, Martin Scorsese's The Departed is one of the definitive crime epics. It follows Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), a Massachusetts State Police trooper who serves as an informant for mob boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson), and Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), an undercover cop who is infiltrated into Costello's organization. Both Sullivan and Costigan attempt to uncover each other's identities in order to save their own lives from the wrath of Costello and his gang.

Release date

October 6, 2006

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Sales Partner

Warner Bros. Pictures

Authors

William Monahan

Duration

151 minutes

budget

90 million US dollars

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