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Stars Of Goodfellas Reunite For 25th Anniversary At Tribeca

Perhaps not quite as menacing as they once were, the stars of "Goodfellas" got together to celebrate 25 years since Scorsese’s pivotal gangster movie at the Tribeca Film Festival.

A special screening of the movie aptly concluded Robert De Niro’s annual festival in New York, with Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvino among those joining him on the red carpet.

There were also a handful of the peripheral actors who made the movie so rich, including Chuck Low, who played Morrie, and Debi Mazar, who played Henry’s lover Sandy.

Scorsese was sadly abroad filming in Taiwan, while Joe Pesci, who played the ultimate movie wildcard Tommy DeVito, also couldn't make it. De Niro acknowledged his co-star, saying before the titles rolled at the Beacon Theatre.

“Joe Pesci couldn’t be here, but he sent this email: 'F***, f***, f***, f***ity f***, f***’ said De Niro.

“I’ll translate: “Dear Bob, sorry I can’t be there. Love to all. Best, Joe.'”

Scorsese also sent a video message, saying: “I remember the previews were one of the worst experiences of my life - we had three of them and they were all in California. It seemed that the audience had to be prepared for what it was, but there was a lot of controversy

“Remember that nice Italian restaurant in Tribeca that we used to go to? And then when the film came out, the owner of the restaurant said we’re not allowed in anymore because we apparently denigrated a certain ethnic group for the picture?”

In a Q&A hosted by the 'Daily Show’s Jon Stewart, cast-members recalled making the film, notably Liotta who remembered the time he bumped into the real-life Henry Hill – the mobster turned informant he plays in the movie – in a bowling alley.

“The first thing he said was thanks for not making me look like a s***bag,” said Liotta. “I said, 'Did you see the movie?'”

Speaking about the movie’s legacy, Sorvino, who played mob boss Paulie Cicero, said: “It’s part of the iconography of American film.

“It’s one of the three or four greatest movies ever made, and if you get to do that in your career, you’re pretty lucky.”

Image credits: Rex/AP