After a shoot-out kills five FBI agents in Kansas City the Bureau target John Dillinger as one of the men to hunt down. Waiting for him to break Federal law they sort out several other mobsters, while Dillinger's bank robbing exploits make him something of a folk hero. Escaping from jail he finds Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby Face Nelson have joined the gang and pretty soon he is Public Enemy Number One. Now the G-men really are after him.
This gritty crime drama chronicles the violent rise and fall of John Dillinger, America's most notorious bank robber during the Great Depression. The film focuses on Dillinger's charismatic personality and his gang's daring heists, while also depicting the relentless pursuit by federal agents led by J. Edgar Hoover. It culminates in Dillinger's violent end, cementing his legendary status in American folklore.
Dillinger was a modest commercial success and received generally positive reviews, particularly for Warren Oates's portrayal of the titular outlaw. Critics praised the film's raw energy, stylish direction, and its unflinching depiction of violence, though some found its glorification of the criminal protagonist to be problematic. It is often regarded as a seminal work of the 1970s crime film revival.
Google audience: Audiences appreciated the film's energetic pace and the strong performance by Warren Oates. Many found it to be an entertaining and well-made crime film that effectively captured the era. Some viewers noted that while exciting, the film's depiction of violence was intense.
Director John Milius, a known lover of firearms and adventure, personally selected the weapons used in the film and was reportedly heavily involved in the action sequences, including designing the iconic Tommy gun used by Dillinger.
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