MOBSTER CONFESSIONS

 

 DISCOVERY CHANNEL

 

This documentary is based on an account by Billy Cutolo Jr. who is an ex-mobster. He was based in New York where there are five big crime families one of which is the Columbo gang that Cutolo and his father before him were members of. The story begins with some in fighting amongst the gang. The gang leader was in jail and a power struggle erupted between two members. When the war was over Billys father was on the losing side, but as things settled down it appeared that all was forgiven and things went back to business as usual. However it wasn’t long before Billy Senior was “erased”. When Billy Jr. found out he wanted to take lives in revenge.

Shortly afterwards the FBI approached Billy Jr and asked if he would like to help get the men that had his father killed. After some soul searching he decides to help the FBI which he does by providing his dads journals and wearing a wire when he went to meetings with gang members. He recorded over 100 conversations. He managed to get his fathers killer on tape threatening his family. His testimony led to convictions. Sadly for Billy Jr. though this was not happy ever after time because he and his entire family had to go in to the witness protection program which meant taking on new lives and identities. When he told the rest of his family what he had done he did not get the reaction that he expected. He was seen as a “grass” by his family who couldn’t believe what he had done. Sadly, Billy Jr. informs us that he is not in contact with any of his family now.

The documentary is of the style that uses re-enactments and dramatizations of the story, which were done ok and also featured an interview with Billy Jr. It is fascinating to look into another world: a world that is alien to most of us whose only knowledge of organized crime comes from the news media and movies. It is fascinating yet horrifying that we have within our midst people who would think nothing of killing another for the personal gain it will bring. They move within their own circles but the documentary makes mention of an incident that cost two bystanders their lives, so it can reach the public. What a horrible thought: sitting in a cafe drinking a Latte and being killed!  It brings a new meaning to a shot of Coffee!

Billy Jr. paid a high price to get justice, losing his family and his identity but declares that he is glad that he broke the cycle of violence. Mobster Confessions looks like it will be an interesting show for those of you that like crime programs. It has nothing new to offer in the way of a format but that isn’t really important. The story was well told and reasonably well dramatized. My verdict: good for fans of crime and gangster shows as long as it continues to find new people to showcase.