Movie Description
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.
| Credits | | Producer: | Art Linson | | Cast: | Andy Garcia, Charles Martin Smith, Patricia Clarkson, Robert De Niro |
Notes
Filmed in 70mm, and Panavision on location in Los Angeles, California and Chicago, Illinois. Shooting began August 8, 1986.
Color by Technicolor.
Released theatrically in the USA June 3, 1987.
Released on video April 20, 1988.
Estimated budget $24 million.
Additional music credits: Barney Bigard co-wrote "Mood Indigo" and Bob Wilber arranged it.
Actor Sean Connery hired a special publicist after the film's release to push him for major awards and did, in fact, win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, and the British Academy Award and National Board of Review Award for his performance in the film.
Rated BBFC 18 by the British Board of Film Classification.
Editorial Reviews
Included in the New York Times "10 Best Films of 1987"
New York Times - p.II,23 - Vincent Canby (12/27/1987)
"...Packed with surprises, not the least being that it's a smashing work....THE UNTOUCHABLES is an original..."
New York Times - p.C17 - Vincent Canby (06/03/1987)
"...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..."
Variety - Tege. (06/03/1987)
"...THE UNTOUCHABLES has a great look; two big action set-pieces and a pair of performances by old-pro smoothies..."
Los Angeles Times - Sheila Benson (06/03/1987)
"[W]itty, intricate and surprisingly moving....Brian De Palma brings his dazzling visual skill to set pieces..."
Uncut - Simon Button (08/01/2001)
"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."
Entertainment Weekly - Jeff Labrecque (10/08/2004)
5 stars out of 5 -- "A masterpiece from Brian De Palma....A strikingly polished presentation..."
Ultimate DVD - Richard Houldsworth (08/01/2007)
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."
Empire - David Hughes (12/01/2008)
Awards
1987Academy AwardsBest Supporting ActorSean Connery
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