The Untouchables Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A stiff fed and his ragtag team of good guys take down a fat mob boss who doesn’t pay his taxes, because that’s, like, the law, man.

🍿 The Untouchables: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Eliot Ness Arrives in Chicago

In Prohibition-era Chicago, Treasury Agent Eliot Ness arrives to tackle the rampant bootlegging and violence orchestrated by Al Capone. Ness’s initial attempts to raid Capone’s operations are unsuccessful due to widespread corruption within the police force, leaving him frustrated and determined to find a new approach.

The Formation of the Untouchables

Recognizing the depth of corruption, Ness seeks out honest cops he can trust. He teams up with veteran beat cop Jim Malone, who offers his street smarts and guidance, teaching Ness that to fight Capone, he must be as ruthless. Together, they recruit academy cadet George Stone and Treasury accountant Oscar Wallace, forming a small, incorruptible team known as ‘The Untouchables’.

Escalating Conflict and Personal Cost

As the Untouchables begin to disrupt Capone’s operations, the conflict escalates. The team faces increasingly dangerous situations, including a bloody raid on a post office used for storing illegal liquor and an ambush on a liquor shipment coming from Canada. Capone retaliates by targeting Ness’s family and his team, leading to devastating losses and reinforcing the high stakes of their mission.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner): An incorruptible Treasury agent who assembles a team to bring down Al Capone during Prohibition.
• Al Capone (Robert De Niro): The ruthless and powerful Chicago gangster who rules the city through violence and corruption during Prohibition.
• Jim Malone (Sean Connery): A veteran Irish-American cop who mentors Eliot Ness and teaches him the harsh realities of fighting crime in Chicago.
• George Stone (Andy Garcia): A skilled and incorruptible young Italian-American police officer recruited by Ness for his marksmanship.
• Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith): The Treasury accountant who joins Ness’s team and discovers the evidence of tax evasion that becomes Capone’s downfall.
• Frank Nitti (Billy Drago): Al Capone’s ruthless and psychopathic chief enforcer, responsible for carrying out violent acts and eliminating threats.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jim Malone: “If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun. If they send one of yours to the hospital, you send one of theirs to the morgue. That’s the Chicago way!” – Malone explains to Ness how to fight against Capone’s ruthless tactics.
• Jim Malone: “You said you wanted to get Capone. Do you really wanna get him? You see, what I’m saying is, what are you prepared to do?” – Malone challenges Ness to consider the extent he’s willing to go to in order to bring Capone to justice.
• Al Capone: “You can get much farther with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.” – Capone illustrates his philosophy of leadership and power during a dinner scene.
• Eliot Ness: “I have foresworn myself. I have broken every rule I have, because I wanted to put him in jail. And I have done that. I have put him where he can’t hurt anyone anymore.” – Ness reflects on his moral compromises made during the pursuit of Capone.
• Eliot Ness: “I think I’ll have a drink.” – Ness’s final line, delivered with a slight smirk, hints at his changed perspective after the repeal of Prohibition, suggesting he’s embraced a more relaxed attitude.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $76,270,454
• Worldwide Gross: $76,272,360

💥 The Untouchables Reviews

Personal Review

I love this movie! The Untouchables is a classic gangster film with a fantastic cast. Sean Connery’s performance is iconic, and the train station shootout is one of the most suspenseful scenes I’ve ever watched. The story is engaging, and the movie made me feel like I was in 1930s Chicago. Whenever Malone gets killed, I can’t help but tear up.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of gangster films”
  • “Those interested in Prohibition-era history”
  • “Viewers who appreciate action-packed dramas”
  • “Admirers of Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, and Sean Connery”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Gun violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “De Palma creates a stunning portrait of the era, blending historical detail with operatic violence. The performances are uniformly excellent, particularly De Niro’s menacing Capone and Connery’s world-weary Malone. It’s a thrilling and visually arresting cinematic experience.
• Variety: “A high-gloss, action-packed take on the Capone legend. While liberties are taken with historical accuracy, the film delivers a compelling narrative with strong performances, showcasing De Palma’s mastery of suspense and visual storytelling.
• Pauline Kael: “Though stylized and occasionally over-the-top, the movie captures the essence of the era, portraying the characters with a mix of bravado and vulnerability. Connery steals every scene he’s in, while Costner embodies the idealistic, determined Ness. Ultimately it’s a fun experience.

Audience Reactions

The train station shootout scene is iconic and full of suspense.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s stylized action sequences, especially the train station shootout, for its suspense and visual impact.

Sean Connery’s performance is memorable and won him an Oscar.: Connery’s portrayal of Jim Malone is widely celebrated, with many considering it a career-defining performance and a well-deserved Oscar win.

Overall Consensus: The Untouchables is a stylish and engaging gangster film that is praised for its strong performances, exciting action sequences, and vivid depiction of Prohibition-era Chicago, even if it takes liberties with historical accuracy.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor)- 1988

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Robert De Niro insisted on wearing the same type of silk underwear that Al Capone actually wore, even though it wouldn’t be visible on screen.”
• “Sean Connery won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Jim Malone, his only Oscar win.”
• “The famous Union Station shootout scene was heavily inspired by the ‘Odessa Steps’ sequence in Sergei Eisenstein’s silent film ‘Battleship Potemkin’.”
• “Ennio Morricone, the film’s composer, reportedly disliked his own score for ‘The Untouchables’.”
• “To prepare for his role, Robert De Niro requested Al Capone’s weight, his neck size and had his hairline shaved to match that of Capone.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Untouchables?

The Untouchables is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video (for rental or purchase), Apple TV, and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well. Physical copies (Blu-ray, DVD) are readily available from major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Untouchables, you might like these similar films:

• Road to Perdition (2002): Another stylish gangster film set in the Prohibition era, focusing on loyalty, family, and the moral compromises made in a life of crime.
• L.A. Confidential (1997): A neo-noir crime film that explores police corruption and the dark underbelly of a city, similar to ‘The Untouchables’ focus on battling systemic corruption.
• Public Enemies (2009): Another gangster film focusing on law enforcement’s pursuit of notorious criminals during the Depression era.
• The Godfather: Part II (1974): Features a parallel narrative showing a family’s rise in crime and also historical background in the early 20th century.

🛒 The Untouchables Related Products

• The Untouchables (Blu-ray): Experience the film in stunning high definition with enhanced audio and visual quality, includes bonus features.
• The Untouchables: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (CD): Relive the film’s iconic score by Ennio Morricone, features the main theme, and suspenseful cues.
• Untouchables Movie Poster: A high-quality print of The Untouchables poster for any true fan, that’s sure to be a great wall piece.
• The Untouchables Script Book: Relive the Untouchables by reading along, or following the story and the action of the Movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Untouchables features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Untouchables (End Title)” – performed by Ennio Morricone
• “Al Capone” – performed by Ennio Morricone
• “Death Theme” – performed by Ennio Morricone
• “MOOD INDIGO” – performed by Duke Ellington, Irving Mills and Barney Bigard

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Andy Garcia on the set of The Untouchables

Did you know there was an incident on the set of The Untouchables? Watch this video to find out what happened.

Andy Garcia’s tribute to Sean Connery

Check out this special tribute to Sean Connery by his fellow actor, Andy Garcia. You’ll get a glimpse into their friendship and Connery’s legacy.

Sean Connery wins Oscar

Relive the thrilling moment when Sean Connery won an Oscar for his iconic role in The Untouchables. It’s a testament to his incredible talent and the film’s impact.

Film analysis of The Untouchables

Dive into the cinematic brilliance of The Untouchables with this insightful analysis that reveals the filmmaking techniques that made it a classic.

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