In an exclusive interview with Reader's Digest, director Barry Levinson shares the filming process for The Alto Knights, plus inspiring life advice
EXCLUSIVE: Director Barry Levinson Talks Robert De Niro & The Alto Knights: “Bob Is One of the Great Actors in the History of Cinema”
Published on Mar. 27, 2025
If you’re a fan of classic cinema—whether it’s the 1991 crime thriller Bugsy or the 1988 comedy-drama Rain Man—you’re likely familiar with the work of Barry Levinson. The 82-year-old Academy Award-winning director is a towering figure in American cinema, having collaborated with some of Hollywood’s most legendary actors, including Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Demi Moore and Dustin Hoffman.
In an exclusive interview with Reader’s Digest, Levinson takes us behind the scenes of his latest film, The Alto Knights. The movie brings to life the gripping true story of two best friends-turned-rival crime bosses vying for power in the turbulent 1950s underworld.
Levinson shares insights into his past films and how they influenced his approach to The Alto Knights. Plus, he reveals the fascinating process of having De Niro (who he fondly refers to as Bob) play two characters—who even appear on screen together!
So read on for our full interview with Levinson, and let it inspire you to check out The Alto Knights—or dive into any classic crime boss film!
This video interview took place on March 16, 2025 and has been edited for length and clarity.
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Reader’s Digest: What drew you to The Alto Knights, and what did you find most compelling about bringing this scene together in the 1950s New York crime scene?
Barry Levinson: What attracted me, which is what we ultimately ended up with, is the conflict within the mafia—that Vito becomes the head, has to leave the country and turns it over to his best friend Frank. When he comes back, the beginning of that clash ultimately leads to the story that you see on the screen. I thought, ‘Well, that’s kind of interesting’ all because two best friends as kids, 10-year-olds, growing up together, that that feud ultimately propels the storytelling that takes place in The Alto Knights.
Reader’s Digest: So Robert De Niro is playing both Frank Costello and Vito Genovese. Can you talk about how you directed these moments and the technical aspects?
Barry Levinson: You have to get the technical aspects accomplished and out of the way so you’re not just trying to deal with technical—because if it’s technical, its mechanical. So you have to say, ‘How do we do it so it seems as naturalistic’ as if there are two people there and how do we create that fluidity of two people talking? They talk over one another, as opposed to mechanically doing one side. [We’re also thinking] ‘How do you get the mechanics of it out so we’re talking about character and conflict?’
We spent a lot of time, Bob [Robert De Niro] and I, sometimes in his camper at lunches, and we would just go over the scenes and tweak it until it just sort of gets in there, and it feels so real. Then you’ll do one character one day, then another character another day. You want to, at the end of the day, approach it like this is a scene with two actors.
Reader’s Digest: When watching the film, there are moments when you switch to different points of view, and we also see these characters talk to the audience. What might have been some challenges or memorable moments when it came to combining De Niro’s dual performances, the cinematic style of the film and the historic context?
Barry Levinson: I think you have an obligation to tell a story, and you have an obligation that you want very strong defining characters to carry the story, and that’s what you focus on. Bob is one of the great actors in the history of cinema, so as he observed it during pre-production and even when we’re shooting, there’s that comfort zone that he’ll hit so that there’s a spontaneity that comes out of it. So you’re not just saying these lines, but you’re invested in the character. That’s the key. You want those characters to pop on the screen so that we as an audience are looking and we’re like ‘What’s going to happen?’
Reader’s Digest: You’ve directed a lot of classic films—Bugsy and Rain Man, to name a few. How did you use past experiences to approach the flow of The Alto Knights?
Barry Levinson: It’s not like there’s any one way to do it. I found that you have to find a comfort zone for the actor. If the mechanics of it suddenly become dominant, then the character’s moments don’t seem spontaneous because they’ve got to do this and that. We might do that, but not to beat it up in a way that we’re just doing mechanical moves. There’s nothing better in life than meeting some character, and that person just gets your attention, and you’re just invested in that. You’re not thinking about what you have to do, but you’re just in a conversation. I want it to feel so real that we, as an audience, are just caught up in that story.
The most defining moment [of my life is when] I went to see On the Waterfront and there’s a scene with Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint. She drops a glove, and he picks it up, and he wanders over to the swing, and he is putting on those white gloves, and he’s talking to her. As a kid, I went, ‘Wow.’ I was so fascinated by it. It seemed so real to me as a kid. That stayed with me, and it’s stayed with me ever since.
Rapid Response with Barry Levinson
Reader’s Digest: What is your favorite comfort food?
Barry Levinson: I’m guessing it’s one of the basics. I like a burrito and I do like chicken tacos. I also like oatmeal.
Reader’s Digest: What advice would you give to your younger self?
Barry Levinson: If I were to say in terms of advice, whether it came from elsewhere or from me, is I sort of just deal with whatever seems like the thing I should do. Growing up I never had an ambition, certainly not to direct, or write or any of that. It wasn’t even in my conscious mind whatsoever. I just sort of followed things that interest me, but not knowing where that was going to go. I had no goals set. I was just [thinking] ‘what was I attracted to?’ and I just went down that road.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this interview with director Barry Levinson, Reader’s Digest Associate Editor Mariah Thomas tapped her experiences as a celebrity interviewer, lifestyle writer and editor of more than five years to ask engaging and exclusive questions to share with readers. This in-person interview took place on March 16, 2025. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
