Linbeymusol Wonderful character development!

Breakinger A Brilliant Conflict

Peereddi I was totally surprised at how great this film.You could feel your paranoia rise as the film went on and as you gradually learned the details of the real situation.

Darin One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

dougdoepke Smoothly done crime drama based on an actual New York crime fighter. Police Lt. Petrosino (Borgnine) is proud of his Italian heritage, but rues presence of Mafia elements in New York's Little Italy. Thus he dedicates himself to cracking open the secret web that extracts money from honest shopkeepers. There is, of course, some violence but it's not spread on thickly, which keeps the story in central focus. Petrosino's personal life is somewhat complicated by an Italian girl (Lampert) whom he's attracted to. (At least that gets a pretty girl into what's otherwise an all male cast!) Trouble is he's middle-aged while she's attracted to a younger guy. So, all in all, will he be able to get beyond crime's chokehold on the neighborhood and maybe help his private life at the same time. Borgnine delivers in robust fashion appearing in most every scene. His cop is likable, maybe too much so for the toughness he must display—but that's debatable. Lampert's a pleasant surprise as the neighborhood girl. I can see why the cop was stuck on her. Too bad actress Lampert didn't have an A-list career; she certainly had the talent. It's also a strong supporting cast of ordinary looking guys that fit their part, including familiar stalwarts like Simon and Marley. There's also a general and well-placed refusal to glamorize anybody or anything. Little Italy thus comes across as a struggling ethnic neighborhood looking for a chance to enter the American mainstream, but held back by criminal elements carried over from the old country. All in all, it's an engaging movie with a few surprises that holds interest despite a lengthy runtime. Just as importantly, it shows that a lead actor doesn't have to be handsome in order to win an audience.(In passing— It was about this time (1960) that the similarly themed The Untouchables with Robert Stack started its popular run on TV (1959-63).)

edwagreen Though tragic at the end, this film is a tribute to Lt. Petrosino of the New York City Police Department at the turn of the last century. It is also a fine vehicle for the underrated performance of Ernest Borgnine here. In my opinion, he was far better here than in his Oscar winning role as "Marty" 5 years before.The film deals with a mobster protection ring in Little Italy. These guys mean business, even if it means that children are their victims. Either you pay up or you die. Terror fills the streets.Zohra Lampert is very good as the woman who believed in Petrosino and asked him to marry her.The film shows the impact of the mob and the inability of local citizens to cooperate. They feel that as in Italy, they can't trust the police.Petrosino is the hero of this very good story. In fact, terror was never so good as depicted in this film. By the way, who sang for Howard Cain? I fondly remember him in television's Hogan Heroes and as Judy Garland's husband in "Judgment At Nuremberg."

EarthAngel91973 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

lindarae1948 I am the great half niece of Lt. Petrosino. I have seen the movie many years ago and have been trying to purchase it on either video or DVD for many years now. Ernest Borgnine did a great job playing the part of Lt. Petrosino. If anyone knows how to purchase this movie, could you please email me? I have tried to contact the Petrosino Lodge (Sons of Italy) without success and have been searching many websites. It is something I would love my children and grandchildren to see and to have. I can remember my Uncle Joe Petrosino, who looks much like Lt. Guiseppe Petrosino, who now all go by Petrosine. Thank you for any input... Please email me at lindarae1948@aol.com