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Rating: 9 stars

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secret cinema toniap Chicago history prohibition murder revenge arrest trial

All movies seen on 01/26/2017

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The Untouchables (1987)

Directed by Brian De Palma

Gangster | Crime | Melodrama

Most recently watched by schofizzy, lolareels, BTSjunkie, seanCduregger, sleestakk

Overview

Young Treasury Agent Eliot Ness arrives in Chicago and is determined to take down Al Capone, but it’s not going to be easy because Capone has the police in his pocket. Ness meets Jim Malone, a veteran patrolman and probably the most honorable one on the force. He asks Malone to help him get Capone, but Malone warns him that if he goes after Capone, he is going to war.

Rated R | Length 119 minutes

Actors

Kevin Costner | Sean Connery | Charles Martin Smith | Andy Garcia | Robert De Niro | Richard Bradford | Jack Kehoe | Brad Sullivan | Billy Drago | Patricia Clarkson | Vito D'Ambrosio | Steven Goldstein | Peter Aylward | Don Harvey | Robert Swan | John J. Walsh | Del Close | Colleen Bade | Greg Noonan | Sean Grennan | Larry Viverito Sr. | Kevin Michael Doyle | Mike Bacarella | Michael P. Byrne | Kaitlin Montgomery | Aditra Kohl | Charles Keller Watson | Larry Brandenburg | Chelcie Ross | Tim Gamble | Pat Billingsley | Sam Smiley | John Bracci | Jennifer Anglin | Eddie Minasian | Anthony Mockus Sr. | Will Zahrn | Louie Lanciloti | Vince Viverito | Valentino Cimo | Joe Greco | Clem Caserta | Bob Martana | Joseph Scianablo | George S. Spataro | Melody Rae | Robert Miranda | James Guthrie | Basil Reale | John Barrowman | Jimmy Borto | Stephen Burrows | Ernest Capponi | Justin De Rosa | Eddy Donno | Jack Fitzstephens | Patricia E. Harrington | Collin Hymes | Clifton James | Matt Johnston | Robert Minkoff | William Rossman

Viewing History (seen 2 times)

Viewing Notes

It’s been a while since I’ve watched this De Palma classic. First off, the Blu-Ray is gorgeous. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this movie look better. Second, I completely forgot that Morricone did the score for this!

I was really struck by how melodramatic it was. The good guy, Ness, is portrayed as squeaky clean (right up until he isn’t) and the bad guy, Capone, is rotten to the core. While there are all shades of grey in between, this is a classic good vs evil story. In lesser hands you’d be rolling your eyes, but with De Palma’s brilliant cinematography and exploitation of the main characters’ rabid adherence to their stereotypes it transcends goofiness. The Union Station baby stroller scene is a perfect example and classic De Palma.

I also love the opening scene where the reporters suddenly spring to life half way through the crane shot. It’s very theatrical and posed and really sets the tone for the rest of the movie.

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