The Untouchables: A Detailed Description
Introduction
The Untouchables is a 1987 American crime film directed by Brian De Palma, produced by Art Linson, and written by David Mamet. The film is set in Chicago during the Prohibition era and follows the story of Eliot Ness and his team, known as the Untouchables, as they attempt to bring down the notorious gangster Al Capone.
Storyline
The movie begins with Eliot Ness (played by Kevin Costner), a young and ambitious Prohibition agent who is determined to take down Al Capone (played by Robert De Niro). Ness forms a team of agents, including Oscar Wallace (played by Charles Martin Smith), George Stone (played by Andy GarcΓa), and Jim Malone (played by Sean Connery). The team, dubbed The Untouchables, faces numerous challenges as they try to dismantle Capone’s empire.
One of the key moments in the film occurs when the Untouchables raid a Capone liquor warehouse. This raid sets off a chain of events that includes the murder of the warehouse manager by Capone, prompting Ness to move his family to a safe house. The team then intercepts an incoming liquor shipment on the Canadian border, killing several gangsters and capturing a Capone bookkeeper named George, who eventually testifies against his employer.
However, their success is short-lived as Nitti, one of Capone’s henchmen, murders Wallace and George in the police station elevator. This event prompts Ness to confront Capone at the Lexington Hotel, but Malone intervenes, urging Ness to focus on persuading the district attorney not to dismiss the charges against Capone.
Malone’s efforts lead to the revelation that police chief Mike Dorsett sold out Wallace and George. Malone forces Dorsett to reveal where Capone’s accountant, Walter Payne, is hiding. Later, one of Capone’s men breaks into Malone’s apartment, but Malone chases him out with a shotgun. Nitti ambushes Malone with a Thompson submachine gun, mortally wounding him. Before he dies, Malone shows Ness and Stone which train Payne will take out of town.
Ness and Stone await Payne’s arrival at Union Station. During this time, Ness decides to assist a young mother with two suitcases and her child laboriously climbing the lobby steps. The gangsters guarding Payne appear as Ness and the woman reach the top of the stairs, leading to a bloody shootout. Despite being outnumbered, Ness and Stone manage to capture Payne alive and kill all his escorts, keeping both the mother and child unharmed.
The film culminates with Payne testifying at Capone’s trial. Ness observes that Capone appears strangely calm, and that Nitti is wearing a gun in the courtroom. The bailiff removes Nitti and searches him, finding a note from Chicago Mayor William Hale Thompson which effectively permits him to carry the weapon. However, noticing Nitti possesses a matchbook with Malone’s address written inside, Ness realizes that Nitti killed Malone. Panicked, Nitti shoots the bailiff before fleeing to the courthouse roof, where Ness captures him.
In a final act of vengeance, Ness pushes Nitti off the roof to his death, avenging Wallace and Malone.
Cast and Crew
Director: Brian De Palma
Producer: Art Linson
Screenwriter: David Mamet
Cast:
Kevin Costner as Eliot Ness
Charles Martin Smith as Oscar Wallace
Andy GarcΓa as George Stone
Robert De Niro as Al Capone
Sean Connery as Jim Malone
Patricia Clarkson as Ness’ Wife
Billy Drago as Nitti
Richard Bradford as Mike
Jack Kehoe as Payne
Del Close as John O’Shea; a corrupt alderman working for Capone
Vito D’Ambrosio as the Bowtie Driver; one of Capone’s henchman
Steven Goldstein as Scoop Ferguson; a reporter
Robert Swan as the Mountie Captain
Peter Aylward as Chicago PD Lieutenant Anderson
Don Harvey as Officer Preseuski
Tony Mockus Sr. as Judge James H. Wilkerson; who oversees Capone’s tax evasion trial
Patrick Billingsley as a court baliff
Clifton James as District Attorney George E. Q. Johnson; who prosecutes Capone
Movie Poster and Artwork
The movie poster for The Untouchables features a dramatic image of Kevin Costner as Eliot Ness, with a stern expression, standing in front of a Chicago skyline backdrop. The poster also includes Robert De Niro as Al Capone in the background, symbolizing the epic battle between good and evil. The artwork is classic and evocative of the Prohibition era, with bold colors and striking imagery that captures the essence of the film.
For fans of the movie, there are various ways to display the poster, including:
Framed Print: A beautifully framed print of the movie poster can be hung on any wall, adding a touch of cinematic history to any room.
Canvas Print: A canvas print of the poster can be stretched and mounted, providing a high-quality and durable display option.
Art Print: An art print of the poster can be rolled or folded, making it easy to store and transport.
These prints are available in various sizes and can be customized with different frames or mounts to suit individual tastes.
Critical Reception
The Untouchables received mixed reviews from critics. Roger Ebert, in his review for the Chicago Sun-Times, noted that while the film has great costumes, sets, and locations, it lacks a great script and performances. He praised Sean Connery’s performance as Jim Malone but criticized Robert De Niro’s portrayal of Al Capone, stating that it seemed cut off from the rest of the story.
Despite these criticisms, the film was a commercial success, grossing $74.5 million at the box office. Sean Connery’s performance as Jim Malone earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, further cementing the film’s place in cinematic history.
Conclusion
The Untouchables is a gripping crime drama that explores the tumultuous Prohibition era in Chicago. Directed by Brian De Palma and written by David Mamet, the film features an all-star cast, including Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, and Sean Connery. The movie’s storyline is filled with action, suspense, and drama, making it a compelling watch for fans of the genre. For those who appreciate classic movie posters, there are various display options available, including framed prints and canvas prints, which can be customized to enhance the viewing experience.
