The Untouchables
The Untouchables

The Untouchables

1987Movie119 minEnglish

Elliot Ness, an ambitious prohibition agent, is determined to take down Al Capone. In order to achieve this goal, he forms a group given the nickname “The Untouchables”.

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Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes78%
Metacritic74/100
Google Users86%
Director: Brian De PalmaGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

In Prohibition-era Chicago, Eliot Ness, a federal agent, assembles a small, incorruptible team to bring down mob boss Al Capone. Facing corruption, violence, and the immense power of Capone's empire, Ness and his 'Untouchables' wage a dangerous battle to enforce the law and restore order to the city.

Critical Reception

The Untouchables was a commercial success and received generally positive reviews from critics. It was praised for its stylish direction, strong performances, and faithful depiction of the era, though some critics found its plot somewhat conventional. It remains a celebrated gangster film known for its iconic moments and memorable score.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually striking and impeccably directed, capturing the period with flair.
  • Features strong performances, particularly from Sean Connery and Robert De Niro.
  • A well-crafted, albeit somewhat familiar, crime drama that excels in its execution.

Google audience: Audiences generally praised the film's thrilling action sequences, compelling performances, and authentic period atmosphere. Many highlighted the iconic shootout scene and the film's engaging portrayal of the fight against organized crime.

Awards & Accolades

Sean Connery won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Jim Malone. The film also received nominations for Best Original Score and Best Costume Design.

Fun Fact

The famous "choo-choo train" Odessa Steps-inspired baby carriage chase scene on the Union Station stairs took three weeks to film and involved over 600 extras.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
tmdb28039023

tmdb28039023

Howard Hawks defined a great film as “three good scenes and no bad ones.” The Untouchables has one of the greatest scenes in the history of cinema, and not just because it’s patterned after the best known scene in Battleship Potemkin; this ...
Manuel São Bento

Manuel São Bento

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com Capone starring Tom Hardy is being released this week, so I decided to visit a classic from the late 80s that also features Al Capone (this...
John Chard

John Chard

Never stop fighting till the fight is done, here endeth the lesson. As good a gangster movie that has ever been made as DePalma does justice to Mamet's electric script. The acting on show is right out of the top draw, the inevitable ease...