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Pay or Die!

  • 1960
  • Approved
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
684
YOUR RATING
Ernest Borgnine in Pay or Die! (1960)
BiographyCrimeDrama

Between 1906-1909, NYPD Lieutenant Joe Petrosino heads the 'Italian Squad' and tries to stamp out organized crime from the city, often times amid assassination attempts by the Mafia.Between 1906-1909, NYPD Lieutenant Joe Petrosino heads the 'Italian Squad' and tries to stamp out organized crime from the city, often times amid assassination attempts by the Mafia.Between 1906-1909, NYPD Lieutenant Joe Petrosino heads the 'Italian Squad' and tries to stamp out organized crime from the city, often times amid assassination attempts by the Mafia.

  • Director
    • Richard Wilson
  • Writers
    • Richard Collins
    • Bertram Millhauser
  • Stars
    • Ernest Borgnine
    • Zohra Lampert
    • Alan Austin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    684
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Richard Wilson
    • Writers
      • Richard Collins
      • Bertram Millhauser
    • Stars
      • Ernest Borgnine
      • Zohra Lampert
      • Alan Austin
    • 17User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Photos15

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    Top cast95

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    Ernest Borgnine
    Ernest Borgnine
    • Police Lt. Joseph Petrosino
    Zohra Lampert
    Zohra Lampert
    • Adelina Saulino
    Alan Austin
    • Johnny Viscardi
    Renata Vanni
    Renata Vanni
    • Mama Saulino
    Bruno Della Santina
    • Papa Saulino
    Franco Corsaro
    Franco Corsaro
    • Vito Zarillo
    Robert F. Simon
    Robert F. Simon
    • Police Commissioner
    Robert Ellenstein
    Robert Ellenstein
    • Luigi Di Sarno
    Howard Caine
    Howard Caine
    • Enrico Caruso
    Barry Russo
    Barry Russo
    • Lupo Miano
    • (as John Duke)
    Vito Scotti
    Vito Scotti
    • Officer Simonetti
    John Marley
    John Marley
    • D. Caputo - Ragman
    Nick Pawl
    • Palumbo
    Mario Siletti
    Mario Siletti
    • Enzo Loria
    Vincent Barbi
    • Fabraka - Driver
    Mimi Doyle
    • Nun
    Sherry Alberoni
    Sherry Alberoni
    • Giulia De Sarno
    Mary Carver
    Mary Carver
    • Mrs. Rossi
    • Director
      • Richard Wilson
    • Writers
      • Richard Collins
      • Bertram Millhauser
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Based on the true story of NYPD Lt. Joseph "Joe" Petrosino (August 30, 1860-March 12, 1909). Petrosino implemented new crime-fighting techniques against organized crime that are still in use today. Petrosino was assassinated by the Mafia while on an undercover mission to Palermo, Sicily.
    • Goofs
      The real Adelina Saulino was a 39-year-old widow when Joseph Petrosino married her -- not a young single girl, as portrayed in the movie by Zohra Lampert, who was 23 at the time.
    • Quotes

      Adelina Saulino: An Irish man? I never heard of one who was nice... or smart.

      Police Lt. Joseph Petrosino: Ah, that's what they say about the Italians.

    • Connections
      Featured in Best in Action: 1960 (2018)

    User reviews17

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10

    Pay Or Die Movie

    To me Pay or die was one of the greatest pictures of all time, I am very sorry it hasn't been shown much since 1969. Ernest Borgnine is one my favorite actors, and this picture really describes what really went on in the early 1900's on the Lower East Side of NYC.

    It's a picture that should be shown more often and available on DVD everywhere, and also one you can rent from your video store.

    I would like to see this picture shown more often on TV especially on the fox movie channel or Turner Classic movies or even if PBs shows it.

    This movie was the best movie pre-Godfather, and Ernest Borgnine gave a great performance as Lt.Joseph Petrocino
    • EarthAngel91973
    • Jun 13, 2008
    • Permalink

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    FAQ15

    • How long is Pay or Die!?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 27, 1960 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Zahl oder stirb
    • Filming locations
      • Hollywood, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Allied Artists Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 51 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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