‘Masterpiece’ gangster 1995 film that’s ‘better than The Godfather’ streaming free | Films | Entertainment

A “masterpiece” gangster film starring Robert De Niro is streaming for free in the UK. Casino (1995) is set in 1970s and 80s Las Vegas, and follows gambling expert Sam “Ace” Rothstein (De Niro) who is tasked by the Mafia with overseeing a major gambling house and hotel that’s under the mob’s control.

The gangsters in charge send Ace’s childhood friend Nicky (Joe Pesci) to act as an enforcer to ensure it all goes smoothly, but soon becomes distracted by his own lust for ill-gotten riches. While Ace is trying to lie low and run a tight operation, his toxic relationship with glamorous local hustler Ginger (Sharon Stone), and Nicky’s violent instability threaten to bring the whole multi-million-dollar operation down.

It was directed by Hollywood icon Martin Scorsese, known for an array of all-time great films including Mean Streets (1973), and Goodfellas (1990).

Fans have flocked to Rotten Tomatoes to praise the film, with one saying in their opinion it eclipses even Francis Ford Coppola’s seminal gangster epic The Godfather (1972), which is frequently held up as the best movie the genre has ever produced.

“My favorite film in the whole wide world I’ve seen it at least 30 times it’s worth watching for three hours,” they wrote. “I would watch it for four hours.

“I think it beats the Godfather. I think it beats Goodfellas. I think it’s just amazing. Robert De Niro is the best and Joe Pesci kills it along with all the Italian officers you haven’t seen this you were missing one of the greatest movies ever made.”

Another wrote: “Elegance, violence, music, photography, acting and a perfect directing. All these things are what makes this movie a masterpiece.”

A third said they “remember the first time I saw this like it was yesterday”. “The opening scene had me hooked and I was glued to my television for about three hours. What a fantastic piece of cinema history.”

A fourth gave qualified praise for the Scorsese classic, writing: “A masterpiece in storytelling and cinematography yet it lives in the shadow of its 1990 New York counterpart Goodfellas.

“Casino, while when viewed in a vacuum is still a great movie, it suffers a lack of novelty and feels almost like a sequel or a spin off of Goodfellas.

“The character complexity is somewhat predictable and less nuanced than in Goodfellas. Even so, it delivers on the story in a thrilling and entertaining way.”

The hard-hitting mob thriller has an 18 certificate and contains strong violence, so viewer discretion is advised.

Casino is streaming for free (with ads) on ITVX. It’s also available with Amazon Prime Video with an ITVX Premium subscription, or to buy or rent on other platforms including Sky Store and YouTube.