I Visited the Island Run by the Mafia

[@Jetmab04]

Palermo is absolutely one of the absolutely perfect European cities left in Europe.. The people are so, so nice, the food absolutely perfect and, the city just breathtaking!! I have spoken about the Mafia with a lot of Sicilians with no. problems.. I love Sicily 🤗♥️🤗

[@JoseRafaelJarlos]

"Never speak of the mafia." *Proceeds to make a whole ass youtube video out of them.*

[@benmorris]

🤣🤣🤣

[@JoseRafaelJarlos]

@@benmorris Thanks for noticing me been watching your vids for about 2 years now! Really love the vibes, music and editing transitions you do in your vids! Your vids are so relaxing yet informative.

[@antoniofarinaccio541]

LOL,😂🤣😂Make movies instead.

[@ForThePHL]

Love the evolution of your vlogs. Thank you Ben for using it now as a platform to educate. Cool yet powerful. Cheers from the Philippines!

[@benmorris]

I'm trying to add some value to my videos instead of casual vlogs!! Really enjoying learning more about the world myself too

[@ForThePHL]

@@benmorris for sure this added value will result to added views/subscribers too! Keep it up, Ben! Hope you also get to visit the Philippines some day!

[@CuttingEdgeSeaPunk]

"There is no Mafia. It's a stereotype and it's offensive" Tony Soprano ( Barone Sanitation Manger) circa. 1999

[@marcmorrissey1147]

There is still a mafia presence in Sicily however much weakened it still exists.

[@CuttingEdgeSeaPunk]

@marcmorrissey1147 *woosh*

[@bubblelina]

I glad that the people of Sicily stood up for themselves their families and their brothers and sisters this isn’t a battle going to be won so easily just like many in the past with more understanding and education the better for everyone ❤🇮🇹

[@joem715]

"I spent three days on the island, and never sensed a mafia presence." I seriously doubt that they're going around advertising who they are to every tourist that strolls around.

[@Martina95673]

exactly lol My family is from there, and there is actually a lot of mafia. It's more subtle than what you imagine. Also this title is so click baity i hate it.

[@mrako84]

A mafioso nowadays can be a politician, an entrepreneur, a doctor, a lawyer or your next door neighbour... It's more subtle nowadays because those days when they wanted to be talked about, are long time gone.

[@tonyborg4510]

Buy a shop.😂

[@neso476]

Actualy, that's what they want. To be invisible. They are very wise. And stronger then ever.

[@AkkaEsse]

at the day of today mafia in italy is very different, it's all over in italy and it's also mixed with italian government so basically we pay ton of taxe's but money disappears from governement

[@johnbrenttravel]

Travelled nearly all of Italy but haven't reached Sicily yet. Always been on my list now I know I need to go. Great video as usual.

[@benmorris]

Cheers John! Glad you enjoyed

[@ad_astra468]

From the title I expected a low quality video essay about the usual stuff that’s said online about the mafia in Sicily. I was very pleasantly surprised, special thanks for giving Addiopizzo a spotlight.

[@brianevans2819]

My friend from Liverpool in the UK, was a Optician and worked in Palermo on 2 or 3 occasions. He said he didn’t know how the owner of the Opticians, made any money, every other customer was a man of respect and no charge. The customers that actually paid, must have been paying for all the customers that didn’t.

[@ZeekoRamen]

He and all those other "customers" were definitely Mafia 😂

[@unknowng888]

Ben your videos have got me through some hard times in life. I look forward to seeing them it’s like life is better when you upload. Please never stop.

[@edvinfifa870]

Stay strong, I hope you’re doing better

[@unknowng888]

@ cheers buddy, that’s very thoughtful of you to say.

[@nothubix]

The quality of these videos is top tier Ben!

[@benmorris]

🙏🏼

[@westonryker6403]

I dont know how I found your channel, but I've seen so many of your videos over the past couple months, and the content just keeps getting better. Big ups!

[@roseyarianna]

As a Sicilian, the mafia isn’t really a thing anymore and it’s less common as they’re either in prison, dead or in America.

[@pgjc6520]

When I went to Sicily there was still plenty of shop windows smashed up coz they wouldn’t of paid their monthly money to the mafia or whatever

[@ashleylemushernandez8220]

You’re a tourist not Italian by any form soooo

[@roseyarianna]

@@ashleylemushernandez8220 never said I was 🤣

[@babyyoda1489]

What? This is why people shouldn't believe everything they read on the internet. The mafia is still a major problem in Sicily... MAJOR PROBLEM...

[@roseyarianna]

@@babyyoda1489 yes I know but it’s wayyy less common bc most of them moved to America over the years and do business in both

[@sabrinab5819]

Thank youuu for the video, sicily had been on my list for 3/4 years! I travelled nearly all of Italy and fell in love with it, one of my fav countries !❤

[@benmorris]

Sicily was amazing! I absolutely loved how rugged & authentic it seemed.. and the food was amazing too

[@Lucas-op2yw]

as an italian, sicily for me is the best region in italy. definitely visit: Palermo, Siracusa, Ortigia, Taormina, Agrigento

[@NickvainUSA]

nice reportage, man. I was raised in Northern Italy and I'm enjoying seeing Italy from the angle of a open mind foreigner like you. Hope you tried some cannoli too!

[@itadrummer1]

There are more differences between Milano and Palermo than Milano and New York!! I used to live in both cities for MANY YEARS so I can tell that. Sicily is not Italy , it’s something completely different and separate, geographically, culturally, socially , historically and ethnically too.

[@QuantumEffectResidue]

I am very proud that my Grandmother's maiden name was Cefalu; and up until 2017 I had no idea that it was an entire city in Sicily and not only that but it went back the 16th century. I don't know how it was never mentioned all those years growing up in New Orleans.

[@louiselmf6671]

I spent a week in Palermo walking to markets, the marina, the opera house, shopping & restaurants. Tours to Erice, Segesta & Selinunte Everyone was very polite, great service and I felt safe. Crossing the street or God forbid you try to drive that's another story you're on your own😅

[@kamrannemazee1193]

Cheers from Iran mate. Been watching your videos for a long time , love the new style. Keep going👏🏻

[@benmorris]

Wow, always amazes me to know people are watching me from all around the world, I'd love to visit Iran one day and make a video! Thanks for supporting ❤

[@jieunsong6557]

I’ve never been this fast❕Love the abundance of contents from you these days

[@benmorris]

Appreciate the speed ⏱️

[@SuperDDL93]

I visited last august and i went there for 7 days to see sicily but also explore mafia sights and to see if by chance i would bump into someone who was in the mafia or assoicated with them, i went to a cafe in the town and i was sitting down enjoying a coffee and some food and was reading a book on the mafia when a man tapped me on my shoulder and he said "you like this book" to which i said "yes i like reading about the mafia" and he just replied with "what mafia" with a wink and walked out of the cafe and i felt in my gut that it was someone involved and for a few seconds i was sitting there in disbelief was cool but at the same time surreal.

[@Giuseppe_1994]

Think he was possibly just messing around with you. They really keep it zipped.

[@zzizahacallar]

I miss Sicily. Such a beautiful country. ❤ your channel

[@benmorris]

the best 🇮🇹

[@mnz145]

⁠Sicily is not a country, it's a region of Italy.

[@raffaelerossi2419]

If you find the topic of mafia interesting, I strongly suggest you to watch some interviews with an italian writer and mafia expert Roberto Saviano. I don't know how many English videos about him are online, but if you manage to find one, you'll learn a lot about mafia.

[@benmorris]

Will do, such an interesting topic

[@LuckySpeaks]

Saviano really specialises in research into the Neapolitan commora gangs, rather than the cosa nostra.

[@lindawoods7610]

That was a great presentation 👏

[@DavidFrehlini-y1y]

And as for Corleone. Be careful and show the respect. That is their Town. Respect it.

[@njerzee911]

Very Nice Ben! My Grandparents came from Calabria, almost directly East on the mainland of Italy; Emigrated to the U.S. early 1900's; Despised anything mafia related. Only in movies was it "glamourized"; What may have started out, on the mainland, as a "group of landowners banning together throw off chains of local tyranny", morphed into a huge conglomerate of murder, financial theft, vices, extortion etc. Some would say that "it" was conceived in the "Calabria area"....But....then again,,,,,,,,,,,,"it" ....does not exist..........so..

[@auroraviitala4971]

I’m so excited every time I see a new video from you! thank you for the fun and educating content

[@Jdndjsmdnjdjsn]

thanks for making such great videos, love from Ireland!

[@benmorris]

thank you for watching!! 🇮🇪💚

[@stoddardhodgson9325]

In italy, if you want to cross the street in busy round abouts or busy blvds, grab a nun by the hand and just start going ! They stop !!

[@LeoGibson.]

love these documentary style videos mate keep it up :)

[@benmorris]

Thanks Leo!! Trying to evolve the content a bit, glad to hear you like it

[@LeoGibson.]

@@benmorris you're smashing it matey 👍

[@kennethscally7370]

Keep up the good work Ben. This is next level vlogging!

[@joebloggs7642]

You could very easily make a platform game based on this video. You play as Ben running form the mafia who are chasing him. All you'd need from Ben is some hit sounds e.g. ouch, ooch, ow etc for when he takes damage. Maybe a few eek for when he's captured. The video thumbnail would be a great main menu background. Simple!!!!

[@tricksandbants6441]

Loving these regular uploads!!

[@90MDaily]

I just watched a great mini-documentary, consider this a tip to work more on videos like this because this is next level.

[@HibijibiCraft]

One of your best Ben

[@benmorris]

Means a lot 🙏🏼

[@Mittnamnarupptaget]

I love your documentary content!

[@benmorris]

💪🏼

[@JamesBenham-g8b]

Always happy when Ben posts 🎉

[@benmorris]

That makes me so happy

[@RisumiesEdits]

Don't go go snooping around, they're still present, they've just blended in.

[@mitchellpatten9227]

Brilliant investigative geography 👍🏼

[@TahmidAhmed-t1n]

Love your videos pls don’t stop making videos

[@drewblogs_7145]

we love consistent Ben vlogs :)

[@RK-hc2qe]

Very nice vlog, Ben! Thanks!

[@benmorris]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@spaniardsrmoors6817]

Never mentioned...Yakuza from Japan were formed nearly 300 years before the Sicilian...so Sicily did NOT "invent" the mafia. Virtually every country has one, or syndicates or gangs which are a form of mafia, some have all 3.

[@DioPorco-v3c]

Yakuza isn't mafia

[@sonnyblack9618]

yakuza was formed in the late 1800, sicilian mafia is older

[@spaniardsrmoors6817]

@@DioPorco-v3c What is it?

[@spaniardsrmoors6817]

@@sonnyblack9618 Formed in the early 1600's

[@DioPorco-v3c]

​@@spaniardsrmoors6817 Is a criminal organization that isn't mafia

[@Shichman]

One of your best ones yet. Great job.

[@benmorris]

Glad to hear it! Quality content is the goal

[@LuckySpeaks]

Corleone was the base of Toto riina - one of the most violent bosses in history, who elevated himself to the head of the islands crime through murder and violence. However, as in America, without the mafia, Sicily would have been underdeveloped and left to its own devices by mainland Italy, and the mafia managed to do a lot of good for the infrastructure and commerce alongside the violence for the inner circle

[@vigh0]

Ben I'm loving your consistency,, and great quality❤ lets goooo!

[@benmorris]

Finally feel like I've got some momentum and plan to keep up the regular uploads

[@damsel72]

What extent…olive oil, olives, pasta, tomato sauce…all food exports/imports throughout the Mediterranean.

[@mauroviviani6787]

As a foreigner is probably very difficult to understand all the facts surrounding the Italian mafia (we still don't know lots of things) but I'm glad you were able to go beyond the fiction of The God Father, Goodfellas etc. Amazing movies but most of the time tend to portray an image that is simply not true and sometimes create a fascination about the mafia. If you want to come a lil bit closer to the reality, I'd suggest "one hundred steps" which is a true and really sad story (+with original audio is crazy good).

[@Bella-fj9qg]

@@mauroviviani6787 Really????

[@YannicksChannel]

Just discovered your channel; your videos are insanely high-quality, and if you ever need a tour around Dubai, let me know. I would love to help! Keep up all the good work; your content is very inspiring, and this is day 1 of commenting until we film a vlog together 💯

[@benmorris]

Thank you bro!! Hopefully will make another video in Dubai at some point

[@Dave-zn3gf]

Sure you didn’t write this comment Ben? 👆🏻😂

[@YannicksChannel]

@@benmorris Ayyyy, anytime man. I've lived in Dubai for 16 years, so I know the place pretty well. So, seriously, man, whatever you need, brotha, I would love to help.

[@YannicksChannel]

@@Dave-zn3gf na bro, he didn't 😂I'm a real person trust me

[@skylightatnight6996]

@@benmorrismake sure you film the dark side with all the sex trafficking🙂

[@frankbaumann5812]

Alfredo has "plans" with this guy...😂

[@Tups-kj8cl]

so glad he remembered his youtube password again. top tier quality videos!

[@benmorris]

Hahahahahah not forgetting it anytime soon 🤣

[@MrRobjs83]

It's no longer even called the "Mafia" over there anymore. There are 2 main organizations: the Camorra and Ndrangheta

[@mariocalesi5898]

I am addressing the author of the video. But when you visit other countries, why don't you also talk about the organized crime that exists in those countries. Or do you think that organized crime exists only in Sicily. Palermo and Sicily are much safer than many cities or regions, both European and American.

[@Usayyy9295]

keep the videos coming mate

[@NiamhParsleyMoss]

i have always wanted to go to sicily, this video is so interesting!

[@benmorris]

It's an amazing place - I would love to go back and spend more time there

[@lousekoya1803]

Hey ! You have a new sub here from Quebec !

[@gazm135]

Out of sight...out of mind. Era has diminished.✋🏿

[@mnz145]

Sicily may still have the Mafia, but crime is lower than most other places.

[@AkkaEsse]

in italy politicians made a contract with mafia years ago.... very sus.... cheers from Italy

[@TiemposDePaz]

Love Sicily and just came back from Palermo. Absoulutely beautiful and it was my second visit. The last visit was to Siracusa. You don't really feel any criminal vibe as a tourist, and you can go anywhere freely and feel safe. I feel more of a mob presence here in NJ/NY LOL. In my opinion, they get their money in more discreet ways and don't need little tiny businesses to make their money anymore.

[@benmorris]

I didn't feel any weird presence there either if I'm honest.. obviously with it being my main intention to find out more and filming did it make me a bit concerned but everyone was so friendly!

[@TheKiselina]

"The Godfather" book Ben, not the movie, it came afterwards. 😃 Thank you for the interesting vlog! 😍

[@johnbergman2746]

New Subscriber here really enjoyed your calm narrative of the video... good work keep it up ❤😊

[@Arsonist999]

Great video

[@mikecacioppo5639]

La societa segretto "baciamo le mani" 🇮🇲💯%😉

[@DaraGeorge]

I love your content! It's quite educational and you're my current favorite KZbinr! Thanks for producing high quality interesting content

[@benmorris]

Thank you Dara!! Really appreciate the comment

[@M4DGremlin]

Sicily is defiantly not ran by the Mafia. You have a few smaller cities that have Mafia, like Gela (heavy corrupt oil city)

[@Giuseppe_1994]

They $$$ off some in the regional assembly. It’s been legitimized more so today, not quite as oppressive criminal acts. More so just industry related crimes/tax evasion.

[@alexandramcpherson4189]

I feel like this would be like going to Northern Island and asking about the IRA?

[@olivvcs]

the king posted!! :) hope you stay consistent ah 😅

[@benmorris]

Got 2 more videos filmed & edited and filming another this weekend so I'm not going anywhere anytime soon 🤞🏻

[@olivvcs]

@@benmorris ohhhh… that excellent!! im so impatient waiting for another videos😭

[@bowerhbb]

This guy don't miss

[@spaniardsrmoors6817]

BTW, Italy has one of the lowest crime rates in the world,... the homicide rate is tied for the 3rd LOWEST in Europe, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Norway tied with Italy. Latvia the highest is 7.5X more.

[@sonnyblack9618]

crime rates has nothing to do with mafia presence

[@spaniardsrmoors6817]

@@sonnyblack9618 Point, even with mafias, Italy's crime rate is low and how does it have nothing to do with crime rates?

[@MunchkinJ]

Those movies are so inaccurate as to how the Italian mafia is today!. Just a note having been involved in that lifestyle for 7+ years and I left it all just 12 months ago I cannot understand why you would want to walk into it all, start questioning them because they do NOT like people poking around asking questions and honestly that is a VERY dangerous game to play! A journalist got attacked in Roma a few years ago for questioning a mafia boss's friend! Having spent a lot of time in Napoli and Palermo the difference is incredible and having been involved it keeps me on my toes! PLEASE do not go poking around this stuff Ben! I know you mean well but when I say it's NOTHING like the movies and it's an EXTREMELY dangerous lifestyle I mean it! I am happy to share my story if you want to hear it but I do NOT recommend people doing the same thing Ben is doing!

[@theowalker485]

I once got on the wrong side of Giuseppe Cacello’s mother! Wouldn’t recommend google reviewing these restaurants in the south - got a stern talking to and i narrowly dodged an arancini ball to the face. Ended up bribing my way out by offering to sing a beautiful rendition of andrea bocellis “con te partiro”. Goose bumps they all said. 😅

[@benmorris]

I heard such different views from different people, I did genuinely fear walking around talking about it and made sure to be careful when asking the locals I met up with! You never know who someone can be or who they know.. Thanks for the advice though - I could be super interested to hear your story if you wouldn't mind giving me a message on Instagram @benmorris with more details

[@koimipoimi5483]

I half Sicilian and visited the island with my dad countless times. This comment is bullshit, it’s completely okay to ask about the mafia, nobody cares to be honest if you are a stupid tourist.

[@carpanis]

"Island run by the mafia", such a stupid and offensive title, and I'm not even Sicilian. Why put such a title in the thumbnail if yourself weren't able to confirm the Godfather stereotypes about mafia? I know you need to find something for your content, but if you studied a little bit you would know the sicilian mafia, despite not being entirely eradicated, is a fraction of what it used to be, thanks to many arrests and trials from the 90s. So sick of these videos romanticizing mafia.

[@jordanhtiffirg1990]

Unfortunately the stereotype predominately related to sicily is the mafia so people are more likely going to click the video and if they watched the whole video they would of learnt that the island is much more. Same way i used to get annoyed when people would say "visiting the most dangerous hood in Africa" instead of mentioning the actually countries name.

[@amse0264]

It's a marketing title, catchy etc. and maybe if Italians overall would actually step up and do something about the mafia in their Country, instead of being busy eating Pasta and Pizza without Ananas, perhaps it would be more attractive to invest time in the country.

[@Hypoksi]

Ben is 100% something like 70% italian. He looks like he fit in there. Bet his ancestors were roman soldiers occupying britain. 😄

[@chrisbeerguy1489]

“Gaius Brittanicus”

[@cdxar]

Been there, very unique place

[@sbrett33]

I thought I'd ask here, as I suppose people watching Ben's content enjoy traveling. I am going to Brazil for New Year's, is SimLocal or Airlo better for Esims?

[@jntd4160]

I love your work! Any chance you could make some longer, less hurried videos? I'm so interested in what you have to say and you travel to so many amazing places but it's so rushed that I always feel left hanging.

[@benmorris]

Definitely will take that onboard! Thanks for the suggestion

[@ness3140]

I love the content🤌🤌

[@benmorris]

Thank you!!

[@speeddemon8977]

the Mafia was created by the Arberesh community in Sicily search the Arberesh people they have towns and cities of their owns in palermo calabria etc very interesting people

[@sonnyblack9618]

lol that's your fantasy

[@Bad.Pappy.Official]

Staten Island?

[@StadiMies]

Just went to Rome. Met a person who knows a ton about how mafia operates in Italy. Looking forward to this video. I have to say, you never miss. Instant click when I see you post anything 🫡

[@alex_slngh]

Love to see Morris on the notifs more often 🙌🏻

[@benmorris]

Get used to it!

[@olivvcs]

@@benmorris i hope ahaha

[@EVERYTHING333-3]

Pls go to Hersonissos in Crete Greece. Its a crazy party city I'd love to see you talk about it

[@nicolaloverre4524]

Having many sicilian friends, to be honest there is nothing they love to talk more about, apparently 😂

[@emanueleunniemi211]

Giorgio is one of my CrossFit mates

[@StrikkerEureka]

So entertaining. Amazing video

[@snubby6684]

You gotta worry more about the younger crowd and the African Gangs who actually answer to the mafia. Want to see it goto ballaro at night and see it go from food market to the black market

[@DavidFrehlini-y1y]

Buonasera. Miei Bisnonni, Ernesto e Adalina Frehlini sono nati a Corleone Sicilia. Possano Riposare a Pace. Viviamo a Siracusa. Grazie e Dio Benedica. Now I will translate for everyone. Good evening. My Great Grandparents, Ernesto and Adalina Frehlini were born in Corleone. May they Rest in Peace. We live in Siracusa. Thank you and God Bless.

[@himmel2436]

you didnt go to castellamare?

[@ryantaylor841]

U surely r a brave person

[@giorgiodifrancesco4590]

Brave? The Mafia doesn't care about youtubers or turists.

[@Joeythegoats]

its not. i am from sicily, there is no mafia. so stop this misinformation. my sicily is so pretty, safe.this woman doing this is doing it for job. lying stuff

[@ryantaylor841]

@@Joeythegoats k lol 😂🤣

[@DelDR_YTIsReal]

I think we are in a Movie in the beginning

[@withjith]

Italian Police seeing this video: 🤨

[@benmorris]

🥸🥸🥸

[@sebastianmisljenovicMS]

👍Sicily 🇮🇹 🧡🖤

[@benmorris]

🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼

[@awoopa_paul5867]

Well done 👏

[@jimardizoni3453]

Hay i got a great idea for your next video go deep in to mexico and try and find the cartel . Or keep going and see if ms.13 still likes to have coffee in Panama.

[@katiegawthrop9426]

My brother side of the family is part of the mafia, that’s say he is person for trying to keep it in the family

[@yolly1110]

visit vienna, the most liveable city in the world! :D

[@NotFromHereDude]

Ben Morris isn't suicidal

[@benmorris]

Definitely not

[@volscente]

Life hack: to eat for free in Sicily, pretend to care to learn about the mafia, get invited to people's homes for lunch, or to various bars for breakfast. Info learnt 0... kg gained 10 😂

[@Dhafnanendissa-hy1wo]

You have salvatore toto rina hes came from corleone

[@ZeekoRamen]

Omerta is meaningless for people who aren't in the Mafia. The code of silence only applied to members, not your average person. As far as I know anyway.

[@GamerCalypso]

Through out the whole video I kept saying to myself this guy reminds me of Ezio Auditore lol