The Iceman: Richard Kuklinski

[Sylar]

At the cinema today, I spied a trailer for a film which has just been released, dramatising the life of infamous mafia contract killer Robert Kuklinksi who died in 2007.

Although not my field, I've long been interested in the psychology of murderers and serial killers (hopefully that doesn't send warning flags going off in some Intelligence Agency) and violent crimes/cases fascinate me to a degree (I guess I take after my mother in this sense as she's long been a fan of crime fiction both in terms of her reading and viewing habits).

Anyway, I decided to do a bit of background on Kuklinski himself and stumbled across 'The Iceman Interviews' on Youtube whereby Kuklinski sat with investigative journalists and talked about his life, the murders he had committed and some of the methods, motivations and feelings he experienced during his criminal activities. It's absolutely fascinating (and undoubtedly macabre) listening to him speak and the absolutely steely demeanour and absence of remorse in his voice. Very much 'just business' and each of his victims were settled transactions.

I'm not sure how the real story will fare with it's Hollywood adaptation (though the real story of Henry Hill adapted to be arguably one of the finest gangster films of all time in Goodfellas) but the story of Kuklinski is truly captivating (for all the wrong reasons, granted).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXgi72W2H7U

[NOLA]

poor mans Begbie :agree:

[Beefster]

I think the movie is based on the Philip Carlo book. To be honest, before i read the book, I always assumed that such prolific hitmen only existed in fiction.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ice-Man-Confessions-Contract-Killer/dp/1845963393

PS if you're interested in serial killers, I just finished 'The Night Stalker' also by Philip Carlo. Nothing will ever top 'Helter Skelter' but it was pretty good all the same.

[wpj]

I think the movie is based on the Philip Carlo book. To be honest, before i read the book, I always assumed that such prolific hitmen only existed in fiction.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ice-Man-Confessions-Contract-Killer/dp/1845963393

PS if you're interested in serial killers, I just finished 'The Night Stalker' also by Philip Carlo. Nothing will ever top 'Helter Skelter' but it was pretty good all the same.

I read the book a couple of years ago and am looking forward to the film. One scary guy!!!

[Hibbyradge]

Buy the book "The Jigsaw Man" by Paul Britton.

He's the guy "Cracker" was based on or rather, inspired by.

I couldn't put it down. On one occasion, having somehow managed to put it down, when driving home from Birmingham, I had to stop at an M6 service station so I could read more.

Read the book description. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jigsaw-Man-Paul-Britton/dp/0552144932

[yeezus.]

I was hoping for a thread on Chuck Liddell!

[Craig_HFC]

The book is brilliant. Hopefully the film lives up to it.

[DH1875]

Didn't realize he was dead. Remember watching a documentary about him and seeing interviews a few years ago.

[libernian]

I also found the videos fascinating... Really looking forward to the film, but fear it be a bit hollywoodized... I think that Kuklinski does exagerrate a bit though about the amount of people he murdered from doing some other reading on him.. Thqat undercover guy - Dominick Profilirone (sp?) had some guts to do that.

[wpj]

I also found the videos fascinating... Really looking forward to the film, but fear it be a bit hollywoodized... I think that Kuklinski does exagerrate a bit though about the amount of people he murdered from doing some other reading on him.. Thqat undercover guy - Dominick Profilirone (sp?) had some guts to do that.

Another great undercover story, Joseph Pistone aka Donny Brasco. I have copy of the book signed by him wishing me a happy birthday, my friend was working on a documentary about him. They shot some scenes near his old neighbourhood but had to leave when he started to get recognised. I'll post a link to the documentary when I am at home.

[DH1875]

Another great undercover story, Joseph Pistone aka Donny Brasco. I have copy of the book signed by him wishing me a happy birthday, my friend was working on a documentary about him. They shot some scenes near his old neighbourhood but had to leave when he started to get recognised. I'll post a link to the documentary when I am at home.


I watched a programme about Pistone the other day. Was part of the Mafia's greatest hits on some random TV channel. It was excellent and he actually took part in it a lot. Only had a pair of sun glasses on when he was talking to the camera. Can't help but think that folk watching it would recognise him if they new him.

[libernian]

Another great undercover story, Joseph Pistone aka Donny Brasco. I have copy of the book signed by him wishing me a happy birthday, my friend was working on a documentary about him. They shot some scenes near his old neighbourhood but had to leave when he started to get recognised. I'll post a link to the documentary when I am at home.


sounds good... yeah great film actually only saw it recently and cant believe i hadnt seen it until then as its class.. sure the book is a good read also.

[wpj]

link to the documentary: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0809987/fullcredits

[Jonnyboy]

I think the movie is based on the Philip Carlo book. To be honest, before i read the book, I always assumed that such prolific hitmen only existed in fiction.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ice-Man-Confessions-Contract-Killer/dp/1845963393

PS if you're interested in serial killers, I just finished 'The Night Stalker' also by Philip Carlo. Nothing will ever top 'Helter Skelter' but it was pretty good all the same.

That was one helluva book :thumbsup:

[Sylar]

I finally got around to watching this yesterday and although it falls short of what I was hoping for in places, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

In some places, I'd say it was every bit as good as some of the mafia classics and reminded me of Goodfellas in some instances (perhaps a compliment and a criticism, as the entire film feels very "Scorcese-esque"). The story is a little all over the place but Michael Shannon deserves an Oscar nod IMO for his portrayal of Kuklinksi - absolutely outstanding in all aspects!

I've also read a few of the books recommended on here and I'm grateful for the recommendations - I'd never read Helter Skelter before (though I was well aware of it) and again, found it to be a fascinating insight.

[Just_Jimmy]

Buy the book "The Jigsaw Man" by Paul Britton.

He's the guy "Cracker" was based on or rather, inspired by.

I couldn't put it down. On one occasion, having somehow managed to put it down, when driving home from Birmingham, I had to stop at an M6 service station so I could read more.

Read the book description. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jigsaw-Man-Paul-Britton/dp/0552144932

And the follow up. Picking up the pieces.