Lords of the Mafia

Season 1

Hosted and produced by Robert Stack, this critically-acclaimed PBS series chronicles the historical rise of international organized crime and its leadership.

Where to Watch Lords of the Mafia • Season 1

16 Episodes

Russian Mafiya
E1
Russian MafiyaWith the collapse of the U.S.S.R. in 1991, Russia became fertile ground for organized criminal organizations that soon greatly diversified and expanded operations around the world. Leading the way in this regard was Vyacheslav Ivankov.
Chinese Triads
E2
Chinese TriadsLester Lloyd Coke, otherwise known as Jim Brown, was the leader of the much-feared Jamaican criminal organization called the Shower Posse that was responsible for highly profitable money-laundering operations and running drugs and weapons.
Mexican Mafia
E3
Mexican MafiaWhether by land, sea, or sky, Amado Carrillo Fuentes delivered narcotics to the United States by synergizing cartel operations in Mexico, and by finding new ways to compel authorities to either acquiesce or pay the ultimate price.
Japanese Yakuza
E4
Japanese YakuzaThe Yakuza in Japan can be traced back to the 17th century, but their true origin remains a mystery. Their expertise revolves around strict codes of conduct enforced by serious punishment and an innate ability to legitimize dirty money.
The Godfather vs. the President
E5
The Godfather vs. the PresidentNew Orleans was the first city to experience the rise and expansion of Cosa Nostra on American soil. By 1947, Carlos Marcello had gone from a teenage street tough to a Louisiana crime boss with strong ties to other national organizations.
The Mafia in Italy Today
E6
The Mafia in Italy TodayBy the 1960s la Cosa Nostra in Italy and the United States began operating a narcotics network that would rapidly expand into a colossus, but within two decades, Italian Judge Giovanni Falcone was determined to dismantle the entire system.
Colombian/Latin-American Cartels
E7
Colombian/Latin-American CartelsNo other country in the world understands the vicious struggle between the global narcotics empire and law enforcement more deeply than Colombia. One man stood at the center of this struggle in the late 20th century- Pablo Escobar.
The Rise and Fall of La Cosa Nostra in America
E8
The Rise and Fall of La Cosa Nostra in AmericaAs Prohibition took effect in the 1920s in New York City, criminals such as Tommy Gaetano Lucchese saw an opportunity to form what eventually became an extensive business network that would grow at an enormous rate over subsequent decades.
Jamaican/Caribbean Gangs
E9
Jamaican/Caribbean GangsLester Lloyd Coke, otherwise known as Jim Brown, was the leader of the much-feared Jamaican criminal organization called the Shower Posse that was responsible for highly profitable money-laundering operations and running drugs and weapons.
City Gangs
E10
City GangsRaymond Lee Washington and nine men founded the Crips street gang that, along with the Bloods, became an organized force on the streets of L.A in the second half of the 20th century at a time when the city was simmering with discontent.
Vietnamese Crime Gangs: The New Threat
E11
Vietnamese Crime Gangs: The New ThreatCriminal organizations originating from Vietnam after the Vietnam War have spread worldwide, including the Pacific Rim, Australia, and the United States. These violent groups specialize in home invasion, computer theft, and counterfeiting.
The Mob in Europe
E12
The Mob in EuropeThe unification of the European economy in the 1950s allowed organized criminal groups to tap into lucrative new markets in Western Europe and discover how to profoundly profit from narcotics, extortion, and new high-tech computer crimes.
Organized Crime: A Global Menace
E13
Organized Crime: A Global MenaceIn the 20th century, as global criminal organizations experienced a crackdown on their national activities, some began to seek international partnerships to increase business and to stay ahead of the curve of law enforcement stratagem.
The Nuclear Mafia
E14
The Nuclear MafiaAs the world's Black Market grows to include nuclear arms and material, law enforcement has increased its surveillance to prevent the nuclear mafia from possessing weapons that could be used as leverage against governments worldwide.
Governments and Organized Crime: The Ultimate Betrayal
E15
Governments and Organized Crime: The Ultimate BetrayalIn the world of crime, accomplices come in many forms, including corrupt government officials who collaborate with, and benefit from, their ties to organized crime. Among other countries, Mexico, China, and Jamaica are examined in depth.
Lords of Death: Murderous Minds
E16
Lords of Death: Murderous MindsThe single trait that links all crime lords and the organizations they operate is: murder. Forensic scientists and criminal profilers from law enforcement offer unique insight into the psychological motivations that drive humans to kill.