1968 - THE BROTHERHOOD, almost a warm up for The Godfather.

 Preceding The Godfather by a few years, The Brotherhood has a lot in common with that film since it deals with many of the same issues.  Briefly, Kirk Douglas in the head of a Mafia family which is part of a larger organization.  As the organization attempts to establish itself into more legitimate enterprises, Douglas resists the group's plans.  The film also focuses on Douglas's brother played by the actor Alec Cord who decides to be a part of the Mafia family business.  The conflict comes about as the old ways of doing things i.e. murdering informants clashes with the the organization's future business plans.

The director is Martin Ritt, a Hollywood craftsman who was always good when it came to working with actors and telling a story.  Kirk Douglas may seem miscast, but he's very good as the Don with a sense of honor about the good old Mafia code days.  Alec Cord I remember from a number of western films but he's also good as the conflicted brother of Kirk Douglas.  Irene Papas plays Douglas's wife but it's really not much of a part for this talented performer.

 

For the most part this is a fine film with an interesting story and an especially fascinating climax. 

The cinematographer was Boris Kaufman a guy who worked with Elia Kazan, Sidney Lumet and going way back in time,  Jean Vigo.  Lewis John Carino, a fairly decent writer wrote the screenplay, the running time is 96 minutes.