Gotti: Godfather and Son

"Kid Christmas" tells of the childhood and youth of John Gotti Junior. While growing up in Howard Beach, New York, and as a student at New York Military Academy, John learns of, and we follow the story of, his father's meteoric rise to power in the world of organized crime. Tragedy strikes the Gotti family when John's younger brother, Frankie Gotti is run over and killed while out riding on a mini-bike. For young John, it is a turning point in his life. In the words of John's brother, Peter Gotti, "John never buried Frankie."

After graduating from military academy, instead of going on to pursue a career in the military, at his father's urging John Junior takes a year off. That's when his troubles begin. He gets in a barroom brawl during which a young man is stabbed and bleeds to death. John's father "punishes" him by forcing him to spend his days hanging out at the Bergin Hunt and Fish Social Club, his father's mob headquarters. By the time John is in his twenties, he is asked and chooses to become a made member of the Gambino Crime Family.

John Junior follows in his father's footsteps; with the FBI focused on taking down Gotti and the Gambino Crime family, the Gottis are under siege; John Gotti Senior beats three cases but is finally caught on tape ordering killings.

When Gotti's underboss, Sammy Gravano agrees to testify for the government, Gotti Senior is convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Becoming the acting boss of the crime family, John Junior quickly becomes the FBI's prime target.