There are really many movies set in Las Vegas. Just off the top of my head, I can think of at least five.

However, if you ask, "What movie comes to mind when you think of Las Vegas?" most people who have seen a few films will mention 'Casino,' directed by Martin Scorsese in 1995. It's not an exaggeration to say that many people associate Las Vegas with the mafia because of this movie.

Interestingly, this film is not just a simple gangster movie. While there are many scenes of gunfire and death, it is actually closer to a historical film that shows how the city of Las Vegas was operated.

The protagonist, Sam "Ace" Rothstein, played by Robert De Niro, is based on the real-life figure Frank Rosenthal.

He was actually known as a genius in casino management. In the film, he is portrayed as someone who handles a calculator better than a gun. Watching how such a person ultimately falls due to greed and relationships is quite engaging.

As you watch the movie, there's a surprising scene where casino employees rake in millions of dollars every day, and some of that money is funneled to organized crime through secret passages and hidden rooms. In fact, this kind of 'skimming' existed in Las Vegas at the time. It was a method of siphoning off casino profits without recording them in the books.

There's also a famous episode among movie fans. The Stardust Casino, which serves as the backdrop for the film, was a real hotel. However, shortly after the movie was released, Las Vegas transformed into a family tourist city dominated by large corporations, and it was eventually demolished. Now, first-time visitors to Vegas cannot see the iconic casino depicted in the film. It feels similar to watching a movie set in New York only to find that the filming locations have disappeared.

Another interesting fact is about Sharon Stone. At the time, not many people viewed her as a serious actress.

Most remembered her as the sexy star from 'Basic Instinct.' However, her performance in Casino is truly remarkable. She portrays Ginger, a character who crumbles under drugs, money, love, and obsession, so realistically that many critics have hailed it as the best performance in the film. She was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Joe Pesci's performance is also noteworthy. While watching the film, you might think, "Why is this guy so angry?"

He explodes over trivial matters and ultimately brings down everyone around him. Interestingly, this type of person is often considered the most dangerous in real mafia organizations. They tend to ruin the organization more than the police do due to their own personalities.

The reason I hold this film in high regard is because of the last 30 minutes. Most crime films focus on the success of the criminals. But Casino is different. In the end, everything falls apart. Money disappears, power vanishes, and people are lost.

The narration by De Niro at the end of the film is particularly striking. He mentions that while the mafia used to run the casinos, now they are managed by executives with MBAs. At first glance, it seems like the world has become cleaner, but Scorsese poses the question, "Is that really the case?" There's a cynicism that suggests it's just a matter of replacing organized crime with big capital.

Thus, Casino is not just a movie about Las Vegas.

It's a film that showcases the desires and greed of America. Walking down the Vegas Strip today, you see massive hotels, dazzling shows, and families of tourists everywhere, but if you're curious about the history behind that glamour, this one film is enough.

Even nearly 30 years later, there's a reason many movie fans consider Casino the best Las Vegas film. While there are many movies that depict Las Vegas as a tourist destination, this film is essentially the only one that shows the soul of Las Vegas.