The notion of underworld is associated with groups of criminals.
The group of criminal gangs that operate in a region is known as the underworld . The concept can also refer to a particular group of delinquents and criminals who act in a coordinated manner.
For example: “The neighborhood was taken over by the underworld, we can't even leave our houses anymore,” “He was a member of the underworld for many years until he decided to get away from crime,” “Blow to the underworld: they arrested a major drug trafficker who was trying to enter to the country with several kilos of cocaine.”
The underworld and the mafia
The idea of underworld is usually used as a synonym for mafia . The underworld, in this sense, is organized crime . Its members are governed by a code that includes various rules: one of the best known is the law of silence , which implies the commitment not to speak to anyone outside of criminal activities. The member of the underworld who violates the law of silence is usually punished with death.
The clans that make up the underworld are organized in a vertical structure. There are bosses or leaders who give orders, and subordinates who must obey. This causes power struggles to occur, as those at the bottom of the structure try to rise and become in control.
For the authorities, dismantling underworld gangs is a complex task. These groups may have many resources (weapons, money , etc.) and have accomplices in the police and the Judiciary. Furthermore, due to the aforementioned underworld code, groups often become difficult to dismantle, which may lose some members but continue functioning.
Hampa is used as a synonym for mafia.
The term in cinema
The world of the underworld has inspired both the world of literature and cinema on numerous occasions. In the latter case, we can highlight films such as the following:
– “Hampa” . In 1931, this German film was released, directed by Phil Jutzi and whose actors included figures such as Maria Bard and Bernhard Minetti . It tells the story of a criminal who, after serving his sentence, is released from prison to try to lead a quiet life. However, in his neighborhood there is a thug who wants him to join his gang and will do everything in his power to get it.
– “A light in the underworld.” Samuel Fuller is the director of this feature film, which was released in 1964 and features a cast led by performers of the stature of Constance Towers , Michael Dante and Anthony Eisley . It revolves around a former prostitute who decides to start a new life in another city and succeeds, starting to work as a nurse and falling in love with the police captain. However, not everything is as it seems in him.
– “Scarface, the terror of the underworld.” 1932 was the year in which this famous film about the mafia was released, directed by Howard Hawks and starring actors such as Paul Muni, Ann Dvorak and Karen Morley . It tells the story of a gunman, called Cutface , who works for a gangster whom he intends to overthrow in order to take his place.