Mafia's Greatest Hits

The series pulls back the curtain on the hidden world of the Mafia’s most infamous figures, kicking off with Sam Giancana. Giancana was a powerful mob boss whose name has become almost synonymous with mid‑twentieth‑century organised crime, and his reach stretched far beyond the usual underworld circles. He cultivated close ties with the Kennedy family, struck up a friendship with entertainer Frank Sinatra, and was reputed to have links to the Central Intelligence Agency. By charting these connections, the programme shows just how deeply the criminal network was woven into the fabric of high‑profile political and cultural life of the era.

The episode centres on the notorious mobster Charlie ‘Lucky’ Luciano, detailing how he leveraged his Mafia contacts to assist the United States government during the Second World War. In return for providing this covert support, Luciano negotiated his release from prison, securing a parole that would free him from his sentence. The narrative tracks his dual role as a crime lord and an unofficial operative, illustrating the quid‑pro‑quo arrangement that saw his criminal network employed for wartime intelligence and sabotage efforts, while the promise of parole acted as his incentive. Thus the programme portrays how Luciano’s criminal influence was temporarily redirected to serve national interests, highlighting the exchange that ultimately secured his freedom.

The episode centres on the notorious mobster Charlie ‘Lucky’ Luciano, detailing how he leveraged his Mafia contacts to assist the United States government during the Second World War. In return for providing this covert support, Luciano negotiated his release from prison, securing a parole that would free him from his sentence. The narrative tracks his dual role as a crime lord and an unofficial operative, illustrating the quid‑pro‑quo arrangement that saw his criminal network employed for wartime intelligence and sabotage efforts, while the promise of parole acted as his incentive. Thus the programme portrays how Luciano’s criminal influence was temporarily redirected to serve national interests, highlighting the exchange that ultimately secured his freedom.

The episode centres on the notorious mobster Charlie ‘Lucky’ Luciano, detailing how he leveraged his Mafia contacts to assist the United States government during the Second World War. In return for providing this covert support, Luciano negotiated his release from prison, securing a parole that would free him from his sentence. The narrative tracks his dual role as a crime lord and an unofficial operative, illustrating the quid‑pro‑quo arrangement that saw his criminal network employed for wartime intelligence and sabotage efforts, while the promise of parole acted as his incentive. Thus the programme portrays how Luciano’s criminal influence was temporarily redirected to serve national interests, highlighting the exchange that ultimately secured his freedom.

The Maverick Mobster episode centres on Joe Colombo, a notorious mob figure whose appetite for fame and financial gain was matched only by his fierce commitment to championing the rights of Italian‑American communities. Born into the underworld, Colombo leveraged his notoriety to pursue both personal wealth and public recognition, while simultaneously mounting a vigorous campaign against the discrimination and harassment that Italian‑Americans endured throughout the 1970s. Through a blend of personal ambition and activist drive, the programme portrays how Colombo’s dual pursuits intertwined, illustrating a complex portrait of a criminal who sought to reshape public perception of his ethnic group while chasing the trappings of celebrity and profit.

The Maverick Mobster episode centres on Joe Colombo, a notorious mob figure whose appetite for fame and financial gain was matched only by his fierce commitment to championing the rights of Italian‑American communities. Born into the underworld, Colombo leveraged his notoriety to pursue both personal wealth and public recognition, while simultaneously mounting a vigorous campaign against the discrimination and harassment that Italian‑Americans endured throughout the 1970s. Through a blend of personal ambition and activist drive, the programme portrays how Colombo’s dual pursuits intertwined, illustrating a complex portrait of a criminal who sought to reshape public perception of his ethnic group while chasing the trappings of celebrity and profit.

The Maverick Mobster episode centres on Joe Colombo, a notorious mob figure whose appetite for fame and financial gain was matched only by his fierce commitment to championing the rights of Italian‑American communities. Born into the underworld, Colombo leveraged his notoriety to pursue both personal wealth and public recognition, while simultaneously mounting a vigorous campaign against the discrimination and harassment that Italian‑Americans endured throughout the 1970s. Through a blend of personal ambition and activist drive, the programme portrays how Colombo’s dual pursuits intertwined, illustrating a complex portrait of a criminal who sought to reshape public perception of his ethnic group while chasing the trappings of celebrity and profit.

John Gotti, propelled by a relentless ambition, emerges as the central figure of the programme. His determination and desire for power shape his trajectory within the criminal underworld, positioning him as a pivotal character whose actions drive the narrative forward. The episode chronicles how Gotti seized control of the Gambino family, achieving the top position by ordering the assassination of the former boss. This decisive move eliminates the previous leader and paves the way for Gotti to assume command, marking his ascent to the head of one of New York’s most notorious crime syndicates. His new role establishes him as a leading figure within the organisation.

John Gotti, propelled by a relentless ambition, emerges as the central figure of the programme. His determination and desire for power shape his trajectory within the criminal underworld, positioning him as a pivotal character whose actions drive the narrative forward. The episode chronicles how Gotti seized control of the Gambino family, achieving the top position by ordering the assassination of the former boss. This decisive move eliminates the previous leader and paves the way for Gotti to assume command, marking his ascent to the head of one of New York’s most notorious crime syndicates. His new role establishes him as a leading figure within the organisation.

John Gotti, propelled by a relentless ambition, emerges as the central figure of the programme. His determination and desire for power shape his trajectory within the criminal underworld, positioning him as a pivotal character whose actions drive the narrative forward. The episode chronicles how Gotti seized control of the Gambino family, achieving the top position by ordering the assassination of the former boss. This decisive move eliminates the previous leader and paves the way for Gotti to assume command, marking his ascent to the head of one of New York’s most notorious crime syndicates. His new role establishes him as a leading figure within the organisation.

Tony Spilotro was the man the Chicago Mafia sent to look after its share of the Las Vegas casino scene. In his capacity as the mob’s enforcer, he made sure the organisation’s interests were protected and its operations ran smoothly in the glittering casino world. That very role put him squarely in the sights of the FBI, which soon began to target him as part of its investigations into organised crime. His duties also included monitoring rival crews, settling disputes and making sure the casinos stayed profitable for the family. The programme follows his attempts to keep the mob’s foothold secure while evading the relentless pressure from federal agents.

Tony Spilotro was the man the Chicago Mafia sent to look after its share of the Las Vegas casino scene. In his capacity as the mob’s enforcer, he made sure the organisation’s interests were protected and its operations ran smoothly in the glittering casino world. That very role put him squarely in the sights of the FBI, which soon began to target him as part of its investigations into organised crime. His duties also included monitoring rival crews, settling disputes and making sure the casinos stayed profitable for the family. The programme follows his attempts to keep the mob’s foothold secure while evading the relentless pressure from federal agents.

Tony Spilotro was the man the Chicago Mafia sent to look after its share of the Las Vegas casino scene. In his capacity as the mob’s enforcer, he made sure the organisation’s interests were protected and its operations ran smoothly in the glittering casino world. That very role put him squarely in the sights of the FBI, which soon began to target him as part of its investigations into organised crime. His duties also included monitoring rival crews, settling disputes and making sure the casinos stayed profitable for the family. The programme follows his attempts to keep the mob’s foothold secure while evading the relentless pressure from federal agents.