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The Irishman

The Irishman is a 2019 American epic gangster film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Steven Zaillian.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Irishman is a 2019 American epic gangster film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Steven Zaillian. Adapted from Charles Brandt’s 2004 book I Heard You Paint Houses, it stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci and follows Frank Sheeran’s life in organized crime and his connection to Jimmy Hoffa.

Plot

The film follows Frank Sheeran, a truck driver who becomes a hitman linked to the Bufalino crime family. It traces his later work with Jimmy Hoffa and the wider world of postwar organized crime.

Production

The Irishman was directed by Martin Scorsese from a screenplay by Steven Zaillian. It is based on Charles Brandt’s book I Heard You Paint Houses.

Cast

The principal cast includes Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci, with supporting roles by Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Stephen Graham, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Jesse Plemons, and Harvey Keitel.

Release and format

The film was released in 2019 and runs 209 minutes. It was distributed through Netflix and is rated R.

Key facts

  • The film is an adaptation of Charles Brandt’s book I Heard You Paint Houses.
  • It was directed and produced by Martin Scorsese.
  • Robert De Niro plays Frank Sheeran, with Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa and Joe Pesci as Russell Bufalino.
  • The story centers on Sheeran’s involvement with the Bufalino crime family and the disappearance of Hoffa.
  • The film was released in 2019 and has a runtime of 209 minutes.
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Canadian context

The Irishman is widely available in Canada through Netflix and is part of the international streaming audience for major American films.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Irishman?
It is a 2019 American crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese about Frank Sheeran and his ties to organized crime.
What is The Irishman based on?
It is based on Charles Brandt’s 2004 book I Heard You Paint Houses.
Who stars in The Irishman?
The lead cast includes Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci.
How long is The Irishman?
Its runtime is 209 minutes.
What is the film about?
It follows Frank Sheeran’s life as a truck driver, hitman, and associate of the Bufalino crime family, including his connection to Jimmy Hoffa.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Irishman
    Supports: Release year, director, screenplay writer, source book, cast, alternate title, and plot overview.
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/facts/The-Irishman
    Supports: Release year, runtime, rating, director, and writing credit.
  3. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/80175798
    Supports: Film description, release year, rating, genre, and principal cast.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_irishman
    Supports: Synopsis, rating, genre, release date, and runtime.