Untouchables (1987)

"The hottest mob movie since The Godfather.  Newsweek

Editor's Note Kevin Costner is idealistic federal agent Eliot Ness, whose assignment to clean up Prohibition-era Chicago leads to violence and manly questions about upholding the law. Initially powerless to stop the flow of booze into the city (the police force is corrupt and everyone in town seems to be on the mob's payroll), Ness finds guidance from an older streetwise cop (Sean Connery, who won an Academy Award for this role) who convinces him he'll need to break some rules if he wants to bring down head mobster Al Capone (Robert De Niro). Andy Garcia and Charles Martin Smith play Ness's other recruits, who together must stand tall against a city full of assassins. Director Brian De Palma (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE) packs the film with violence and creative camera movements while David Mamet's intelligent script capably dodges cliché at every turn. There's a real sense of what's at stake for these characters on a personal level, which contrasts nicely with the futility inherent in enforcing Prohibition in the first place. The film is based on the autobiographical book by Ness (cowritten with Oscar Fraley) and the 1959-63 TV series; Ennio Morricone (THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY) composed the uninhibitedly bombastic score.

	Charles Martin Smith
	Kevin Costner
	Robert De Niro
	Sean Connery
	Art Linson - Producer
	Brian DePalma - Director
	David Mamet - Writer
	Ennio Morricone - Musical Score
	Oscar Fraley, et al. - Based On Novel By
	Raymond Hartwick - Producer
	Stephen H. Burum - Director of Photography

Booze is illegal and people are dying for it. Federal Treasury agent Eliot Ness is determined to bring down Chicago gangster Al Capone and his bootlegging empire. Ness assembles his team and the bullets fly--but it doesn't stop the Untouchables from taking a swig from a bullet-riddled whiskey cask now and then. Academy Award Nominations: 3, including Best Art Direction. Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor--Sean Connery. New York Times
"...Packed with surprises, not the least being that it's a smashing work....THE UNTOUCHABLES is an original..." 06/03/1987 p.C17

New York Times
Included in the New York Times "10 Best Films of 1987" 12/27/1987 p.II,23

Variety
"...A beautifully crafted portrait of Prohibition-era Chicago....Propelled by scripter David Mamet's rich dialog, Connery delivers one of his finest performances ever. It is filled with nuance, humor and abundant self-confidence..." 06/03/1987

Los Angeles Times
"...THE UNTOUCHABLES has a great look; two big action set-pieces and a pair of performances by old-pro smoothies..." 06/03/1987 p.C1

Uncut
"[W]itty, intricate and surprisingly moving....Brian De Palma brings his dazzling visual skill to set pieces..." 08/01/2001 p.141

Entertainment Weekly
"De Palma's fingerprints are still all over this stylishly violent, David Mamet-scripted urban Western. The Prohibition sets are epic, the actors are outfitted in Armani, and the action is just as riveting 17 years later." 10/08/2004 p.98

Ultimate DVD
5 stars out of 5 -- "A masterpiece from Brian De Palma....A strikingly polished presentation..." 08/01/2007 p.85

Empire
4 stars out of 5 -- "There's much to enjoy....David Mamet's hard-boiled script, De Palma's assured direction, Morricone's score, De Niro's Capone." 12/01/2008 p.200

Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide 9 of 10
High-energy entertainment that packs a wallop... Fluidly (and often flamboyantly) filmed, with power