So you wanna know about The Many Saints of Newark? Smart move. Whether you're a die-hard Sopranos fan or just curious about this mob movie everyone's talking about, I've got you covered. Let me walk you through everything from the plot and characters to where you can watch it tonight.
Funny story - when I first watched this, my neighbor (a huge Sopranos nerd) spent two hours explaining all the connections to me. Wish I'd had this guide back then!
What Exactly is The Many Saints of Newark?
Okay, basics first. The Many Saints of Newark is a prequel to HBO's legendary series The Sopranos. It takes us back to 1960s-70s Newark, New Jersey, showing how young Tony Soprano got mixed up in the family business. The title? It's a clever play on Newark's Italian pronunciation ("Nork") and the street gang culture.
Why Should You Care?
- See teenage Tony Soprano (played by James Gandolfini's real son Michael)
- Witness the Newark riots of 1967 (they actually shot in real Newark locations)
- Meet Dickie Moltisanti - Christopher's father who's only mentioned in the series
- Discover how Junior Soprano became so bitter
My first viewing left me conflicted - the period details are amazing but some characters felt underdeveloped. We'll get into that later.
Cast and Crew Breakdown
Let's talk about the players. This isn't some cheap cash-grab - original Sopranos creator David Chase co-wrote it. Alan Taylor (who directed Sopranos episodes) handled directing duties.
| Actor | Character | Connection to Original Series |
|---|---|---|
| Alessandro Nivola | Dickie Moltisanti | Christopher's never-seen father |
| Michael Gandolfini | Young Tony Soprano | Son of James Gandolfini (original Tony) |
| Jon Bernthal | Johnny Boy Soprano | Tony's father (previously seen in flashbacks) |
| Vera Farmiga | Livia Soprano | Tony's mother (young version) |
| Corey Stoll | Junior Soprano | Tony's uncle (young version) |
| Leslie Odom Jr. | Harold McBrayer | Original character (black gangster) |
Ray Liotta pulls double duty playing both "Hollywood Dick" Moltisanti and his imprisoned brother Sal. Weird choice? Maybe. But he nails both roles. Honestly, Nivola's Dickie steals the show - you finally understand why Christopher idolized him.
Plot Essentials (Spoiler-Free Version)
Set between 1967-1971, the movie centers on Dickie Moltisanti's rise in the DiMeo crime family. Through his eyes we see:
- The Newark race riots changing neighborhood dynamics
- Tony's awkward transition from kid to teen
- Tensions between Italian crews and black gangs
- How Dickie becomes Tony's troubled mentor
It's really Dickie's story more than Tony's, which surprised me. The trailers made it seem like young Tony was the lead - he's not.
Runtime and When to Watch
The Many Saints of Newark runs 2 hours exactly. Perfect for a weeknight viewing. Originally released October 1, 2021 in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously.
Want my advice? Watch it after seeing The Sopranos. You'll miss 80% of the references otherwise.
Where to Stream or Buy The Many Saints of Newark
As of 2023, here are your options:
| Platform | Format | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBO Max | Streaming | Included with subscription | United States |
| Amazon Prime | Rent/Buy | $3.99 rent / $14.99 buy | Multiple countries |
| Apple TV | Rent/Buy | $4.99 rent / $19.99 buy | Multiple countries |
| Google Play | Rent/Buy | $3.99 rent / $14.99 buy | Multiple countries |
| Blu-ray/DVD | Physical | $19.99 | Amazon/Walmart |
Personally, I grabbed the Blu-ray for the deleted scenes - there's a 10-minute longer cut that adds depth to Livia's character.
How It Connects to The Sopranos
This is where The Many Saints of Newark gets fascinating for fans. Let's break down key links:
Character Origins
Seeing Junior as a mid-level boss explains his later resentment. Young Silvio Dante's hair obsession becomes hilarious. And Livia? Vera Farmiga perfectly captures Nancy Marchand's mannerisms - that passive-aggressive nastiness started young.
Major Payoffs for Series Fans
- You finally witness the incident Junior references where Tony "ran over" his foot
- See how Tony's famous duck feeding obsession began
- Discover the real story behind Dickie's death (mentioned throughout the series)
- Understand why Christopher felt Tony owed him
I nearly cheered when the "ring toss" scene happened - such a deep cut reference only fans would get.
Controversies and Criticisms
Let's be real - not everyone loved The Many Saints of Newark. Common complaints:
- Pacing issues: The riots plotline feels rushed
- Underused characters: Junior and Livia deserved more screen time
- Tony's reduced role: Despite marketing, he's not the protagonist
Personally, I thought Leslie Odom Jr.'s storyline ended abruptly. Such a compelling character deserved better resolution.
Ratings tell mixed story:
| Source | Score | Key Takeaways |
|---|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes | 72% (Critics) | "Satisfies Sopranos fans but uneven" |
| IMDb | 6.3/10 | "Great performances, messy script" |
| Metacritic | 60/100 | "Nostalgic but not essential" |
| Audience Score | 78% | "Feels like a Sopranos episode" |
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all. It's like bonus content for fans. The series stands perfectly on its own.
Two reasons: "Moltisanti" translates to "many saints" in Italian. Also references the street gang culture where every crew has their "saints".
Nope. When that FBI file appears at the end, you can turn it off. I sat through 7 minutes of credits for nothing.
David Chase hinted at possible follow-ups exploring the 1980s. But with mixed reviews, who knows? I'd watch it - the foundation is solid.
Surprisingly authentic. They filmed in real Newark locations and recreated 1967 storefronts. My Jersey-born spouse confirmed the accents are legit too.
Personal Viewing Tips
Having watched it three times (once with commentary), here's my advice:
- Watch Order: Series first, then movie. Reverse order spoils major plot points
- Ideal Setup: Good sound system - the period music (Stones, Santana) is phenomenal
- What to Notice: Pay attention to Dickie's glasses - they're visual storytelling
- Skip If: You dislike gangster films or never saw Sopranos
Here's my honest take: The Many Saints of Newark works best as a character study, not a plot-driven mob epic. Alessandro Nivola's performance alone makes it worthwhile. But I still wish we'd gotten more scenes with young Tony and his complicated relationship with Dickie. Maybe that's just me being greedy though.
Final Verdict
Is The Many Saints of Newark perfect? Nah. The pacing stumbles and some characters needed more room to breathe. But as a Sopranos fan? Seeing Michael Gandolfini recreate his father's mannerisms gave me chills. The production design transports you to 1960s Newark. And Dickie Moltisanti's tragic arc adds new layers to the entire Sopranos mythology.
Would I rank it above Goodfellas? No. But it's better than half the mob movies released last decade. Give it a shot with measured expectations - especially if you know the original series.
Funny how one movie makes you revisit the entire Sopranos saga again. Just finished my fourth rewatch thanks to this flick. Damn you, David Chase!
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