I guess my first mistake was to pick this up at Blockbuster without ever having heard of anything about it(including title) before. Luckily, this was also my last, as I didn't make the common mistake of expecting equal talent and entertainment value from all films I watch. I quickly recognized this as the turkey it is, and as soon as I lowered my expectations considerably, I found it to be more enjoyable than I had first anticipated when I saw the rating(here on IMDb) and the first couple of scenes. It's not a good film, but it's not the worst one out there. The basic idea behind it is not half bad, and I found my search for inconsistencies and anachronisms to come up with (almost) nothing. Martin Sheen does pretty good as Dillinger, the former gangster turned farmer who wants to stay out of the gangster "business". F. Murray Abraham does OK as Capone, but having seen Robert DeNiro himself portray the character, he comes off a little flat by comparison. Jeffrey Combs is highly entertaining as a former FBI agent that survives quite a lot. The plot has some gaping holes(mainly dealing with how little police response there seems to be throughout the whole thing, and some typical action-film good-guys-aiming-much-better-than-bad-guys stuff) and the writing leaves a bit to be desired. The effects are obviously cheap, and several points during the film, an explosion or a Molotov cocktail is thrown in(pun intended) to raise the production value. Despite these low points, the film stays relatively true to historical events and does manage to entertain you and somewhat keep your interest. For an action film, there's relatively little action. For a crime movie, there's relatively little real crime. For a drama, there's little real drama. In the end, it's just another one of those "could have been better" films. But it's one of the less disappointing of the sort, and not completely devoid of talent. I suggest you check it out, if you're very much into gangster films. It's a fairly entertaining little piece; just don't expect any depth or a message. I recommend this only to the biggest fans of gangster films, and only those who can sit through what would commonly be referred to as a 'bad' film. 5/10
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localbum24-129 February 2020It's kind of interesting to watch Martin Sheen in a really stupid movie.
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boblipton29 February 2020On July 22, 1934, FBI agents shot and killed John Dillinger outside the Biograph movie theater in Chicago. This movie says they shot his brother, while Dillinger, in the person of Martin Sheehan, moved hundreds of miles away, married, and became a farmer. Five and a half years later, Al Capone was released from prison because of dementia due to syphilis. He moved to his Florida house, kidnapped Dillinger's wife and stepson and forced Dillinger to go to Chicago and steal the $15,000,000 in cash he had stashed in a vault.
All complete nonsense, of course. Sheen's Dillinger is a decent family man who regrets his lawless past, in a philosophical, shrugging way, while F. Murray Abraham's Capone is a delusional monster with a butler, Stephen Davies, who gets seconded to Sheen for the big bank robbery. There are also a,lot,of,shots,in sepia monochrome that lead into set shots, and a soundtrack that is based on the Carnegie Hall version of "Swing, Swing, Swing." Catherine Hicks, as Sheen's wife, delivers her lines in a manner that emphasizes how badly they are written.
Short of the real-life people which this movie hangs its hat on, this might have made a decent movie. With them, it becomes nonsense. -
wolf562 November 2003Far fetched and disappointing for a Martin Sheen film. Having seen Capone portrayed by Robert De Niro and others, F. Murray Abraham's rendition lacks believability. The concept behind the film offers much potential but not much was done with it. Sheen does his best with limited material.
Verdict - one to miss -
mazzella-6237726 July 2022This movie, while mildly entertaining, is definitely historical fiction--in 1934, when the FBI shot and killed John Dillinger in Chicago, Al Capone was in a distant prison.
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If you dig historical accuracy, this one will drive you crazy. The plot has John Dillinger (Martin Sheen) not being killed in 1934 because the FBI actually shot his brother (Joe Estevez getting a quick paycheck). Years later he is living as "John Dalton" with his wife and son on a farm. But, wouldn't you know it, just when he thought he was out, they pull him back in. They being Al Capone (F. Murray Abraham), who kidnaps Dalton's family in order to force him to do a job for him in Chicago. The job? Get back the millions he had hidden in a hotel basement. Yup, this plotline is pure fantasy, but the Roger Corman-produced picture is a fine 90 minutes. Not great, not terrible. If anything, it is worth it for Abraham's unhinged Capone, playing up his syphilitic madness as he boozes, talks to imaginary people, and shoots hookers. There is also a fun supporting cast including Don Stroud, Stephen Davies, Catherine Hicks, Michael Oliver (yes, the PROBLEM CHILD himself), Sasha Jenson, and Jeffrey Combs and Michael C. Gwynne as two bumbling FBI agents. And as hard as I found the plot to swallow, nothing is more outlandish than Concorde-New Horizons staple Maria Ford showing up in a few scenes and lusting over Sheen.
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daworldismine3 January 2013i picked this movie up on DVD the other day for two pounds, i haden't ever heard of it before so i wasn't sure but i looked at the cast, and thought it couldn't be that bad, and was right, it was actually a good gangster movie, based on some well known theories in gangland folklore dealing with john dillinger and AL Capone, it delivers everything you would expect from a gangster movie, its not one of the best far from it, but it was good, and i did enjoy it. the acting was good all around, and it never felt low budget, fans of gangster movie's would do well watching it if its ever on, as they should enjoy it. its not worth rushing out and buying but definitely a good watch
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vampi196014 October 2006fictional account about Capone and dillinger.martin sheen plays john dillinger(who survived the shooting at the movie theater)like i said fictional.he wants to go straight and leave the life of crime behind. AL Capone(f Murray Abraham)has other plans.he kidnaps Dillinger's wife(Catherine hicks)and son to force him to rob the gangsters that have all his stolen money.along for the ride is don stroud,Sasha Jensen,Jeffrey combs,Bert remsen,and maria ford.its a roger corman produced gangster movie that delivers.OK its not the untouchables or scarface but its a good exciting gangster b movie,made by Concorde/new horizons.the sequel sort of is baby face nelson that starred c Thomas Howell and f Murray Abraham as Capone again.the music on the sound rack is very good.i would put this in a class with big bad mama,and bloody mama.i did enjoy this movie,maybe because I'm a Roger Corman fan,even though there's a few Corman movies i did'nt like,for instance;carnosaur. I'm giving dillinger and Capone 8 out of 10.it rocks!