X
- 1987
- R
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 59 m
- 1987
- R
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 59 m
Summary Federal Agent Eliot Ness sets out to stop Al Capone with a small, hand-picked team.
Directed By: Brian De Palma
Written By: David Mamet, Oscar Fraley, Eliot Ness, Chip Miller
- 1987
- R
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 59 m
- 1987
- R
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 59 m
The Untouchables
79
8.5
Where to Watch
Summary Federal Agent Eliot Ness sets out to stop Al Capone with a small, hand-picked team.
Directed By: Brian De Palma
Written By: David Mamet, Oscar Fraley, Eliot Ness, Chip Miller
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 Critic Reviews
79
81% Positive
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
19% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 Critic Reviews
79
81% Positive
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
19% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
This is a big, beautifully designed movie in which the filmmakers' intelligence is everywhere; it's the product of a special vision. And Brian De Palma continues to be good news from Hollywood. [3 June 1987, p.D1]
Hollywood's latest big-budget, high-concept, mass-market reworking of material not entirely fresh, has more endings than Beethoven's Fifth, but it's also packed with surprises, not the least being that it's a smashing work. It's vulgar, violent, funny and sometimes breathtakingly beautiful.
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 241 User Ratings
8.5
90% Positive
217 Ratings
217 Ratings
8% Mixed
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
2% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 241 User Ratings
8.5
90% Positive
217 Ratings
217 Ratings
8% Mixed
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
2% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
I have seen many movies, and while The Untouchables is not the best movie of all of them, it is one I enjoyed enormously. There is so much to recommend it and I found it great to watch. The story is riveting and well constructed, and while he doesn't show off as such, a good thing in my book, Brian DePalma does let loose with some very inventive not to mention bloody set pieces. See the climax at the railway station for instance, while essentially a nod to the famous Odyssey steps sequence in the Battleship Potemkin, it was brilliantly done all the same. Speaking of DePalma, he does do a wonderful job directing.
That isn't the only reason why the Untouchables was such a hit with me. There are many more reasons. The dialogue is like crackling fire works, it is witty, intelligent and sophisticated, and some of it goes by surprisingly quickly. Ennio Morricone is one of the finest film composers ever, his score here is no exception, as it soars very like an eagle in full flight. And we have some truly sparkling production design, I love films with beautiful sets, scenery and costumes and The Untouchables scored highly in this area. Then we have very strong acting, Kevin Costner mayn't be to everybody's tastes but I think in his star-making turn he gave one of his better performances in this film. Andy Garcia joins the team with enthusiasm, and a plumped-up Robert DeNiro as Al Capone is wonderful as always. However, in my opinion, as the Irish cop who shows Costner the ropes, Sean Connery one of the most charismatic actors around gives the best and even perhaps most memorable performance here.
Overall, a wonderful film, with an awful lot to recommend it. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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Watched this movie with my Dad a while back! I absolutely loved it! The exellent acting, air-tight plot and interesting story will have you captivated till' the final scene! The fight scenes had me on the edge of my seat every time! Not to mention some of the best story telling I've ever seen! If you haven't seen this movie you're missing out on the best crime drama action thriller out there today! Even if you don't like the genre, give this movie a shot! You wont regret it!
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Ethics aside, the filmmaking by DePalma is stylish and alternates between shocking surprise and hold-your-breath quiet.
De Palma's visual acuity tends to blur into mere gimmickry without the benefit of a resonant script. He got one in Carrie and another in Blow Out. Here, Mamet makes do with a text that is always shrewd but never intelligent. Still, when shwrewdness meets style, smoothing the curves and polishing the twists, the ride becomes a bonafide crowd-pleaser. The Untouchables is the cheering people's happy choice. [4 June 1987]
One triumph of The Untouchables is the way its operatic style accommodates larger-than-life performances.
The real root of the movie's problems may lie in the fact that Mamet has identified with the men of principle and De Palma with the scoundrels -- in other words, with Capone instead of the eagle-scout Ness.
It's strange that in this somber inspection of moral fiber and what causes it to fray, De Palma couldn't have made his hero at least as interesting as his villain, and both of them at least as complicated as they were in life.
The Untouchables is a magnificent crime drama. The story is interesting, the action is incredible and the
cast couldn't be more talented. Untouchables is a flawless crime drama with spectacular action
and classic performances from the whole cast, A+.
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Disappointing!
Untouchables from de plama is a very Disappointing flick after his magnificent Scarface remake! He isn't Scorsese , that's why goodfellas worked , and yes they're similar although they're telling story from different prospective! another nuch better movie American gangster! Good thing - 1) PRODUCTION DESIGN- they just nailed it , no question! 2) AL CAPONE PERFORMANCE- Every single scene with him is on another level. They way he portrays a Italian mafia is just awesome! He studied a lot about al Capone. His dialogue, his body language , movement, reactions feels genuine! Only thing u will remember after u finish this film. No not sean Connery lol Bad thing 1] UNINTERESTING MAIN CHARACTERS- Costner is just opposite to de niro. He's just a terrible choice to play the leading role. Not to mention bad acting, also lacks the charm to play opposite de niro. He has same wooden face throughout the movie. From the beginning they showed al Capone is invincible and no one can touch him and his business! Ok. Director and writer be like let's create a looser club so audience can relate with them. No , that's hilarious. The accountant guy goes full on Rambo in the bridge, again funny! When Connery shots that dead guy to make the other guy talk is a really powerful scene. The elevator scene is pretty good. Not the train station scene, here bad guy's aim just ****. 2) BAD MUSIC 3) BAD DIRECTION,4) LAZY WRITING.... That's it !
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Production Company
Paramount Pictures
Release Date Jun 3, 1987
Duration 1 h 59 m
Rating R
Tagline The Chicago Dream is that big
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
BAFTA Awards
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
