Synopsis

Sicilian postman's son Vincenzo Cortino escapes to America after witnessing a deadly crime. He rises through the ranks of organized crime, building a powerful family empire while struggling with loyalty, romance, and succession. Years later, his son Anthony must confront rival gangsters and family chaos in this broad parody of The Godfather saga and other classic gangster movies.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film was originally titled "Jane Austen's Mafia!", a deliberately incongruous name that was shortened for release in some markets.

• Its primary targets are The Godfather films, but the parody also draws heavily on Casino and other gangster pictures, mixing recognizable crime-movie imagery with slapstick and deliberately crude visual gags.

• Filming took place from September 22 through December 10, 1997. Locations included Reno, Nevada; Yuma, Arizona; Los Angeles; Beverly Hills; and the Universal Studios backlot.

• Animal effects include digitally manipulated sheep mouth movements. The production also used live chickens, sheep, goats, and donkeys in its village scenes.

• Lloyd Bridges died on March 10, 1998, several months before the film's July 24, 1998, U.S. release. The movie was dedicated to his memory and is regarded as his final released film role.

• With an estimated $10 million budget, the film earned nearly $20 million in domestic theaters.