‘UNDERRATED CLASSIC’ GANGSTER MOVIE WITH ‘SUPERB’ ACTING STREAMING FOR FREE
Mafia drama enthusiasts should watch this classic film that might have slipped past their notice, available to stream free on ITVX and on Prime Video, whilst anticipating the much-awaited Peaky Blinders movie. This follows others having relished a "masterpiece" gangster series and a BBC crime drama, reports the Mirror.
The film has garnered considerable acclaim on IMDb, with one particularly enthusiastic 9/10 review headlined: "I enjoyed this more than Goodfellas". The reviewer elaborated: "The parts of this film I enjoyed the most were when you learned about how Vegas operated."
They continued: "And, in this sense, I enjoyed the film much more than Goodfellas... Also with the same stars and same director. This is because Goodfellas was mostly just about violence and crime... Whereas Casino seemed to have more story and wasn't always about excessive violence and nastiness...not that the film is in any way a 'nice' picture."
Another 10/10 review hailed the picture as "the most uncompromising studio picture of the 1990s". The critic went on to describe it as "a complex, multilayered, beautifully directed film" and a "masterpiece of destruction and betrayal".
Drawing parallels with Goodfellas, the reviewer noted: "Few films take so many chances and succeed so wonderfully. It takes some of the basic formulas that were found in Goodfellas and applies them to another type of story."
• Top 10 most anticipated TV shows coming in 2026 from Bridgerton to Outlander
• Netflix adapting ‘fantastic classic’ period drama based on ‘much loved’ novels
"While Goodfellas' view was ground-level, telling the story of the "blue collar" gangsters of NYC, this film tells the story of the guys who controlled those guys."
The user added: "An amazing film that will hopefully get the recognition it deserves in the years to come."
Another glowing review hailed the piece as an "underrated and undervalued Scorsese Classic". The reviewer described the acting as "superb" and confessed: "Every time I watch this picture I fall in love with it all over again. This is the most honest depiction of Las Vegas, especially of the time period it was portrayed in. Scorsese's direction is flawless."
A further top-rated review commended the "brilliant" performances and the "superb" storyline rooted in actual events. The critic went on to state: "In fact, in my opinion, it's one of the best organized crime movies of all time [sic]."
Meanwhile, a fourth perfect score review heaped on the praise once more, branding it a "fantastic" film and their personal favourite. They elaborated: "I enjoyed good fellas, thought Raging Bull was great and enjoyed Taxi driver but this is a cut above the rest imo I have seen this film to many times to count and i am yet to become even remotely sick of it.
"The acting is flawless, story flows at a great pace for the full all but 3 hours, great narration and a great soundtrack [sic]."
They noted that the characters are "far more believable then those in good fellas [sic]."
Released in 1995, Casino saw the dynamic duo of director Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro reunite, with Joe Pesci joining them for this crime drama masterpiece. Set in the 70s, the film centres around gambling whizz Sam 'Ace' Rothstein (De Niro), who is enlisted by the Chicago mafia to oversee operations at the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas.
As the narrative unfolds, it delves into the challenges Ace encounters while managing the casino, including navigating mafia politics and the disintegration of his marriage to hustler and ex-showgirl Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone), all due to his demanding profession.
Pesci portrays Ace's childhood friend and mafia affiliate Nicky Santoro, who also plays a role in the casino's management. The plot draws from real-life events, with Ace's character modelled after sports gambler, mafia associate and FBI informant Frank Lawrence 'Lefty' Rosenthal.
In addition to its striking cinematography, Casino boasts an unforgettable pop music soundtrack featuring hits like Without You by Nilsson, Love Is the Drug by Roxy Music, Slippin' and Slidin' by Little Richard, and Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac, among others.
Casino received numerous award nominations, including nods for Oscars and Golden Globes. It has often been compared to the acclaimed Goodfellas, and continues to be cherished as a classic gangster film.
Casino is streaming on ITVX and Prime Video for a fee
**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**
2026-01-13T10:25:20Z