Overview: Young Anthony Soprano (Michael Gandolfini) is growing up in one of the most tumultuous eras in Newark’s history, becoming a man just as rival gangsters begin to rise up and challenge the all-powerful DiMeo crime family’s hold over the increasingly race-torn city.

Caught up in the changing times is the uncle he idolizes, Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola), who struggles to manage both his professional and personal responsibilities — and whose influence over his nephew will help make the impressionable teenager into the all-powerful mob boss we’ll later come to know: Tony Soprano.

Blu-ray Verdict: The Many Saints of Newark is a crime drama serving as a prequel to the series The Sopranos. Even if you aren’t familiar with the series, this film is certainly worth a try for genre fans.

The movie revolves around the childhood and adolescence of Tony Soprano, the child of an American-Italian crime family. He explores betrayal and loyalty, doubts and trust, joy and sorrow, embitterment and reconciliation, life and death among family members and friends.

This film convinces on many levels. First of all, the soundtrack, settings and clothing bring the sixties and seventies back to life in authentic fashion and provide atmospheric depth.

Up next, the different characters are very distinctive and profound. We observe innocent children looking up to their family members, frustrated mobsters who are attempting to gain freedom, influence and reputation and old-fashioned gangsters who don’t make any compromises and don’t take any prisoners.

The movie features several subplots which add much diversity. It follows the complicated relationship of an Italian immigrant with her violent husband, a mobster who has to go to prison and leave his family behind for four years and a family man who makes many enemies while trying to become the leader of the mobsters.

However, there are also a few elements that could have been improved. Some characters could have been given some additional background information in form of flashbacks, in my humble, and for what it’s worth, opinion.

In truth, the movie mostly focuses on dialogues, but a few more explosive scenes might have added some action and tension at appropriate times.

Which means, coming full circle, The Many Saints of Newark is a really well crafted gangster movie that can compete with other recent releases, such as the expansive The Irishman.

The atmosphere, characters and subplots are certainly the highlights and leave room for potential sequels, but newcomers might be interested in watching the television series before discovering this film - while fans of the series might think that the movie is at times lacking depth and precision.

Regardless, The Many Saints of Newark is a great crime drama that’s thrilling, shocking and dark whilst also being quite accessible to newcomers. Enjoy, my friends! Enjoy! This is a Widescreen Presentation (2.40:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

The Many Saints of Newark 4K UHD combo pack and Blu-ray contain the following special features:
• Making Of Newark
• Sopranos Family Honor
• Deleted Scenes

The Many Saints of Newark DVD contains the following special feature:
• Deleted Scenes

Discover who made Tony Soprano when The Many Saints of Newark arrives for Premium Digital Ownership at home on November 19th, 2021.

The film is directed by Alan Taylor (TV’s “Game of Thrones,” TV’s “Madmen”) from a screenplay by series creator David Chase and Lawrence Konner, based on characters created by Chase, and stars Alessandro Nivola (“Disobedience,” “American Hustle”), Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr. (Broadway’s “Hamilton,” “Murder on the Orient Express”), Jon Bernthal (“Baby Driver,” “The Wolf of Wall Street”), Corey Stoll (“First Man,” “Ant-Man”), Michael Gandolfini (TV’s “The Deuce”), Billy Magnussen (“Game Night,” “The Big Short”), Michela De Rossi (“Boys Cry,” TV’s “The Rats”) and John Magaro (“The Finest Hours,” “Not Fade Away”).

The film will also be available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD beginning on December 21st, 2021.

The film was produced by Chase, Konner and Nicole Lambert, with Michael Disco, Marcus Viscidi, Toby Emmerich and Richard Brener executive producing.

The film also stars Emmy winner Ray Liotta (TV’s “Shades of Blue,” “Goodfellas”) and Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga (“Up in the Air,” “The Conjuring” films).

• On November 19th, 2021, The Many Saints of Newark will be available for early Premium Digital Ownership at home for $24.99 and for 48-hour rental via PVOD for $19.99 SRP on participating digital platforms where you purchase movies.

• On December 21st, 2021, The Many Saints of Newark will be available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD. The Many Saints of Newark will also continue to be available to own in high definition and standard definition from participating digital retailers.

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