Martin Scorsese’s Casino (1995) is a gritty, stylish, and morally sharp look into Las Vegas during an era when the mob still owned the casinos. Based on true events, the film explores crime, love, betrayal, and the downfall of greed. It is a complex character-driven story that blends historical insight with crime drama intensity.
Detailed Summary
The Rise of Ace Rothstein
Sam “Ace” Rothstein, played by Robert De Niro, is a professional gambler with an almost supernatural talent for odds and sports betting. Thanks to his precision and success, the Midwest mob appoints him to run the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas. Ace turns the casino into a money-making masterpiece, ensuring profits for the mob through flawless management and subtle manipulation.
He operates the casino legally on the surface, but underneath, he helps the mob skim money from the profits before they reach the books. Ace becomes one of the most powerful men in Vegas, yet his success plants the seeds of his destruction.
Enter Ginger: Love, Obsession, and Trouble
Ace falls in love with Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone), a charismatic hustler who knows Vegas better than anyone. She’s brilliant at manipulating rich men, and Ace sees her as a perfect partner. He marries her and showers her with wealth and attention. But Ginger is still emotionally tied to her former pimp and partner, Lester Diamond (James Woods).
Their toxic relationship becomes a central tension point. Ginger accepts Ace’s love, but she also resents his control and longs for her old freedom. This emotional conflict slowly destroys their marriage and lives.
Nicky Santoro: Chaos Arrives in Vegas
Ace’s childhood friend, Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), is sent to Vegas by the mob to protect Ace and oversee security. Instead, Nicky becomes a violent and reckless criminal force. He organizes robberies, extortion operations, and brutal attacks. His unpredictable behavior attracts unwanted attention from the FBI.
Ace, who values order and precision, repeatedly pleads with Nicky to calm down, but Nicky’s ego and temper only grow. Their friendship fractures as Nicky’s actions risk bringing down the entire operation.
Ace vs. the Authorities
When Ace refuses to grant licenses to incompetent people backed by politicians and mob interests, he creates enemies in high places. The government tries to revoke his casino license, while Ace counters by becoming a TV personality, exposing corruption with subtle jabs. This move only worsens his situation. Casino bosses turn against him, and he is left increasingly isolated.
Movie Ending
By the end, every pillar of Ace’s success collapses. Ginger’s addictions spiral out of control as she steals money from their safety deposit box and tries to flee with Lester. Ace confronts her, and she is arrested but later released. She ultimately dies alone from a drug overdose, symbolizing the tragic end of a woman who never found stability or love she could trust.
Nicky, whose reckless violence spins beyond control, is blamed for attracting federal heat to the mob operations. The mob bosses decide to eliminate him and his brother. In a brutal scene, they are beaten with baseball bats and buried alive in a cornfield. Their death marks the end of the mob era in Vegas.
As federal investigations intensify, the casino scheme collapses. The mob’s skim operations are revealed, the bosses are arrested or killed, and corporations take control. Vegas evolves into a sanitized, corporate-driven tourist empire.
Ace survives an assassination attempt when his car explodes, thanks to a metal plate installed beneath his seat. He becomes a shadow of his former powerful self, returning to bookmaking. His voice-over in the final moments explains how Vegas has changed from mob control to corporate domination, leaving behind the romance and danger of old Sin City.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Casino does not feature any post-credits scenes.
Type of Movie
Casino is a character-driven crime drama rooted in historical reality. It blends biographical storytelling with gritty mafia themes, making it both a crime epic and a dark social commentary.
Cast
- Robert De Niro as Sam “Ace” Rothstein
- Sharon Stone as Ginger McKenna
- Joe Pesci as Nicky Santoro
- James Woods as Lester Diamond
- Don Rickles as Billy Sherbert
- Kevin Pollak as Phillip Green
- Frank Vincent as Frank Marino
Film Music and Composer
The soundtrack, supervised by Robbie Robertson, features a mix of jazz, rock, and classical period pieces. With songs from The Rolling Stones, Tony Bennett, Louis Prima, and Bach, the music reflects the glamour and brutality of the era.
Filming Locations and Their Importance
- Las Vegas, Nevada: Real casinos like the Riviera were used to capture authentic casino environments. The accuracy adds realism and immersion, bringing viewers into the heart of early Vegas.
- California Locations: Suburban scenes and mob meeting areas were filmed in Los Angeles and Pasadena to represent the Midwest and mob hideouts.
The choice of real casinos builds credibility and underscores the film’s historical grounding.
Awards and Nominations
- Academy Award Nomination: Best Actress (Sharon Stone)
- Stone also won a Golden Globe for her performance.
The film received critical acclaim for direction, acting, and screenplay.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Sharon Stone was not a first-choice casting, but Scorsese fought for her after seeing her emotional capability.
- Many scenes use real ex-mob consultants to ensure accuracy in language and behavior.
- De Niro studied casino management with professionals to realistically portray Ace’s obsessive control.
- The cornfield murder scene was toned down to avoid exceeding violence restrictions, though it remains infamous.
Inspirations and References
Casino is based on Nicholas Pileggi’s nonfiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas, which details the real lives of mob associate Frank Rosenthal, enforcer Tony Spilotro, and Geri McGee. The film closely follows true events, though some names and details were changed.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Some deleted footage includes:
- An extended wedding sequence between Ace and Ginger, showing more emotional disconnect.
- A longer version of Ace’s TV segments criticizing officials.
These were cut to tighten pacing and maintain the film’s tense focus.
Book Adaptations and Differences
- Ace (Rosenthal in real life) did not survive an assassination attempt in a car bomb exactly as shown in the movie, though someone did attempt to kill him.
- Ginger’s death in the film is based on real events, but the book provides deeper context about corruption around her.
- Some mob bosses are composites rather than direct portrayals of specific individuals.
The movie stays emotionally faithful but simplifies some complex mob relationships.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Ace correcting casino dealers with forensic precision.
- Nicky’s infamous pen-stabbing scene at the bar.
- Ginger screaming at Ace over custody issues in the parking lot.
- The cornfield execution, symbolizing the end of mob power.
Iconic Quotes
- Ace: “There are three ways of doing things around here: the right way, the wrong way, and the way I do it.”
- Nicky: “You put my money to sleep, you go to sleep.”
- Ace: “In the end, we f**ed it all up.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The Tangiers Casino is based on the real Stardust casino.
- Vegas extras in the film include real former casino employees.
- The bombing scene uses the exact model car involved in the real event.
Trivia
- Martin Scorsese had to tone down violence to avoid an NC-17 rating.
- Joe Pesci improvised several threatening lines, including the pen scene.
- Many background actors were banned in real life from casinos.
Why Watch?
Casino is essential for anyone who enjoys realistic crime storytelling. It combines historical accuracy with gripping character studies, enhanced by brilliant performances from De Niro, Pesci, and Stone. The film shows not just crime, but the cost of greed, love gone wrong, and the death of an era.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
- Goodfellas (1990)
- Taxi Driver (1976)
- The Departed (2006)
- Raging Bull (1980)
- The Irishman (2019)
