This film was the highest rated original telefilm in HBO history at that time. The success of the film convinced HBO to cast film costars, Dominic Chianese, Vincent Pastore and Tony Sirico in a series in development at the time called "The Sopranos" (1999).
Was originally planned for a theatrical release, but the project fell short on funding. Therefore, it became an HBO film.
John Gotti:
Jojo walks into the bar. He's wearin' a solid gold belt buckle this big: says Jojo on it, he's got a braclet on his arm: says Jojo on it, he's got a fuckin' necklace: says Jojo on it, he's got solid gold cuff links: they all say Jojo on 'em. Wait, wait this little guy walks into the bar and says, "Excuse me mister Jojo." He said, "Shut the fuck up, I don't want anyone to know I'm here."
F.B.I Agent:
Mr. Gotti, I am with the F.B.I
John Gotti:
You know what F.B.I stands for don't you?
F.B.I Agent:
Why don't you tell me.
John Gotti:
Forever bother the Italians.
Carlo Gambino:
These FEDs, they tolerate certain things. CERTAIN THINGS. Not Drugs.
John Gotti:
Makes you think. Makes you think about the people in your life. And when I think, I think of Neil. If he were here now what would he say? He would say "John what's it about? What's life about... if you dont go through it as a man's man?". He'd say "Suck it up, take the fall do the time. That made you what you are. That makes you what you are. Are long have we been around this thing of ours? This Cosa Nostro? 120 years. Whats it about? Its about the rules, perimeters. You take the beating for a friend, you don't run, you don't lay down , you don't betray who you are. What you are.
Frank DiCicco:
Self Esteem...
John Gotti:
Slef Esteem is basic. You learn that on the street. You gotta remember Angie. I loved this guy, I loved him but he was stupid. He never rolled, ya know that? HE NEVER ROLLED! My brother Gene, Joey the rat, they're doing a thousand years now. Why? Thats the rule. You don't break, you dont rat. Gives you a bit of power huh? Not the kind of power these FEDs have. God forbid, we pull their chain in public. Fuckin dress better than them they take it personal likes its a fuckin vendetta. There supposed to act better than the rest of us. They just wanted me to be something I wasn't even born to be.
Frank DiCicco:
Humble, they wanted you to be humble.
John Gotti:
Yeah so you humble me. So what you got? You got a war. You got a global war. You got your Chinks, Dominicans, Asians, Russians, Columbians, Jamaicans. What they doin? They desecrate the nation. You got your variable fuckin' snowstorms of cocaine, smack or whatever they shove in their veins. There's no rules. There's no perimeters. There's no feelings. There's no feelings for this country.
Frank DiCicco:
Anarchy.
John Gotti:
You got anarchy. So... 5-10 years from now, they're gonna wish there was an American Cosa Nostra. 5-10 years from now, they're gonna miss John Gotti.
Continuity: The audio played back in the courtroom is not the same as the conversation that took place earlier in the film. Notably, John Gotti used the phrase "physically sick" during the earlier conversation, but it does not appear when the tape is played back.
Continuity: When Frank DeCicco's car is bombed it is in front of the club. But when it actually blows up it is across the street from the club
Referenced in
The Cruise (1998)
Blade II (2002)