The Untouchables (1987)

Genre

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Director

Brian De Palma

Country

USA

Cast

Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Charles Martin Smith, Andy García, Robert De Niro, Patricia Clarkson, Billy Drago, Richard Bradford, Jack Kehoe, Brad Sullivan, Clifton James

Plot

Young Treasury Agent Elliot Ness (Kevin Costner) assembles a personal team of mob fighters to bring Chicago crime boss Al Capone (Robert De Niro) to justice using unconventional means during the mob wars of the 1920's.

Opinion

Leaving out the fact that Elliot Ness is portrait as a saint, and he was none, and there are certain historical liberties taken with the story, this film stands out among the gangster films.

The Untouchables is an excellent, entertaining and thrilling historical, action and crime film all rolled up into one.

Brian De Palma once again proves being a masterful filmmaker, and this film is in my opinion his greatest work, a step ahead of his other great film, Scarface. This time, instead of focusing on a self-destructive gangster, De Palma focuses on a honest man with a noble mission. 

As I said before, there are many liberties with the history, and they affect in a negative way the character development, which is basically nonexistent, and the plot at some points.

However, De Palma solves these shortcomings with incredible scenes, the best of which is the outstanding railway station shootout. 

The acting is superb. Sean Connery delivers a towering performance as James Malone, winning his only and very well deserved Oscar. Kevin Costner delivers an Oscar-worthy performance as Elliot Ness. However, Robert De Niro is the standout actor, mesmerizing as crime boss Al Capone.

Quotes

Ness: Never stop, never stop fighting till the fight is done.

Capone: What'd you say? What're you saying?

Ness: I said, "Never stop fighting till the fight is done."

Capone: What?

Ness: You heard me, Capone. It's over.

Capone: Get out, you're nothing but a lot of talk and a badge.

Ness: Here endeth the lesson.