Introduction
For many fans of gangster and casino films, the 1995 movie Casino is a classic. Directed by Martin Scorsese and based in the 1970s and 1980s, the film tells the tale of various crimes and scandals that unfolded at the Tangiers casino in Las Vegas. The movie features powerful performances by Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone. However, what many may not know is that the movie’s plot is based on real-life events that occurred in Las Vegas during this period. How accurate was the movie in portraying these events? Was the movie Casino based on a true story? This article aims to explore the historical events that the movie was based on and investigate their depiction in the movie.
Real-life events vs. Casino movie portrayal
The Casino movie plot was inspired by events that took place in Las Vegas during the ’70s and ’80s. The story involves a mob-associated casino manager named Sam “Ace” Rothstein, his friend and mob enforcer Nicky Santoro, and his wife and hustler Ginger McKenna. The movie depicts Sam and Nicky’s rise and fall as they get involved in casino skimming, money laundering, and drug trafficking.
The events that inspired the movie did take place, but they were not identical to what is shown in the movie. For example, the real-life character that inspired Sam Rothstein’s character was Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, not Ace Rothstein. Rosenthal was heavily involved in the management of several casinos and was linked to the Chicago organized crime families, just like Rothstein was linked to the Mafia in the movie.
However, the actual events that took place differed significantly from what was portrayed in the movie. For example, in the movie, Sam Rothstein’s car is bombed in the driveway as he is leaving his house, and in reality, this never happened to Rosenthal. Additionally, the movie introduces several characters, such as Ginger McKenna, that are entirely fictional.
Who was Ace Rothstein?
The character of Ace Rothstein was based upon Frank Rosenthal, who was one of the most famous sports handicappers of the 1970s. Rosenthal was known for his extensive network of informants and his ability to fix contests, something that is portrayed in the movie. He was the main person responsible for the creation of the first-ever sportsbook in Las Vegas, which allowed betting on all sorts of sports events. Rosenthal was also a consultant for several movie productions, in which he reviewed the odds and designed betting systems for the movie makers.
Rosenthal’s run-in with the law began in the early 1960s, when he was caught fixing horse races in North Carolina. In the ’70s and ’80s, Rosenthal was overseeing various casinos in Las Vegas. He had a strategic sense, which allowed him to oversee several aspects of the casino business, including safety, marketing, and the counting room where the money was counted. Rosenthal was a suspect in many criminal investigations, including when he was linked to the Chicago Mafia family, as well as the attempt to assassinate him through a car bomb.
According to the FBI agent who closely monitored Rosenthal’s activities, the movie’s portrayal of the character of Ace Rothstein is accurate, primarily when it comes to his meticulous attention to detail and his sense of self-security. However, Rosenthal was not as ruthless and tough as his on-screen counterpart.
Key differences between actual events and on-screen portrayal
One of the main differences between the movie and the real-life events is the addition of fictional characters. For example, Sharon Stone’s character, Ginger McKenna, is entirely fictional and was created as an enhancement to the storyline. Additionally, the movie creates a fictional ending to the story, where Ace Rothstein is ambushed and kills the perpetrators. This ending was added for dramatic purposes only, and no such event took place in real life.
Another striking difference between the actual events and the movie portrayal is the depiction of Nicky Santoro’s character. In the movie, Santoro is portrayed as incredibly violent and unpredictable, with his homicidal tendencies resulting in his downfall. In reality, Nicky Santoro was not affiliated with any of the Chicago Mafia families and was not a killer. The movie’s makers admitted that they had to enhance the character of Santoro to make the plot more gripping.
The impact of Casino on public perception of Las Vegas
The movie casino had a profound impact on how people perceive Las Vegas. Before the movie, Las Vegas was seen as a glamorous, luxurious city, whereas the movie portrayed it as a nest of corruption and vice. The movie’s depiction of gang violence, casino skimming, and drug trafficking painted Las Vegas in a deep and dark hue. This representation received a lot of criticisms from individuals within the industry and public officials in Las Vegas.
Despite the criticisms, the movie’s portrayal of Las Vegas paved the way for other gritty and more realistic portrayals of the city. Additionally, the film made Las Vegas even more famous, and it attracted a broader audience that was more diverse than the individuals who typically traveled to Las Vegas.
Controversies surrounding portrayal of real-life individuals and events
The representation of real-life individuals and events is a battleground for many films. There have been multiple cases where the factual accuracy of movies based on true stories has been called into questions. For the Casino movie, the portrayal of several real-life characters has received criticisms from people who knew those individuals personally.
For example, the character of Nicky Santoro’s wife, Jennifer, was portrayed as having a drug addiction, which never occurred in real life. Many of the actual people portrayed in the movie, including Rosenthal himself, sued the film producers for their portrayal in the movie. Some of these individuals settled with the producers out of court, and some received compensation for their depiction.
Conclusion
The movie Casino was undoubtedly inspired by real-life events, but how closely it followed the truth is debatable. Elements of the real-life events were altered, omitted, or exaggerated to create a more thrilling movie experience. The movie’s portrayal of Las Vegas as a lawless, corrupt city had repercussions, both positive and negative, for the city’s casino industry and its overall public image. Even though the movie’s portrayal of real-life characters and events has been disputed, it remains a classic that is still watched and enjoyed to date.
However, it’s essential to understand that Hollywood movies are created to entertain, and the actuality of events may not always match up to the on-screen portrayal. This article hopes to have given readers a clear understanding of the true story that inspired the movie.