The Untouchables
R
Jun 03, 1987
Crime · Nearly two hours that moves briskly thanks to De Palma's slick direction and memorable setpieces.
Solid crowd-pleaser
7.8/10
IMDb
83%
Fresh
79
79/100
Metacritic
🎬
7.8/10
TMDB
The brief
De Palma turns Prohibition-era Chicago into a glossy, operatic playground where Sean Connery chews scenery as the grizzled Irish cop and De Niro disappears into Capone with unsettling charisma. The film moves like a slick action thriller rather than a gritty period piece, with De Palma's signature slow-motion shootouts and that famous Odessa Steps homage that somehow works perfectly. Costner's boy scout FBI agent feels almost secondary to the sheer style and momentum of it all. Perfect if you want your crime drama served with extra style and don't mind when historical accuracy takes a backseat to pure entertainment.
prohibition glamour
operatic violence
stylized shootouts
charismatic villains
slick crime thriller
brotherhood loyalty
The verdict
If you love stylish crime dramas with operatic flair and don't mind when entertainment trumps historical accuracy, this is essential viewing that showcases De Palma at his most gloriously excessive. If you prefer gritty realism or historically faithful period pieces, you'll likely find the glossy theatricality and action-movie pacing too Hollywood slick for your taste.
Watch with
- 👥 Friends who love classic crime films
- 👫 Anyone seeking stylish entertainment
- ⚠️ Those wanting gritty realism
Heads up
- Stylized gun violence and shootouts (frequent)
- Character beaten with baseball bat (moderate)
- Brief strong language throughout (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Brian De Palma
- Cast
- Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, Charles Martin Smith, Andy Garcia, Richard Bradford, Jack Kehoe
Official synopsis
Elliot Ness, an ambitious prohibition agent, is determined to take down Al Capone. In order to achieve this
