Rod Steiger gets another chance to sink his teeth into a meaty role in this, just one of a number of film versions of the popular Al Capone story over the decades. We see Capone start out in the post-WWI years as bodyguard / bouncer for Johnny Torrio (Nehemiah Persoff), and watch as he systematically eliminates those who stand in his way. Eventually, he rises to the top ranks of organized crime in Chicago. Meanwhile, a humourless lawman (James Gregory) has run-ins with Capone over the years. The lawman makes it his personal mission to bring down the mobster.
The movie - which is also narrated by Gregory - attempts to show how Capone changed the image of the typical mobster by illustrating his ventures into legitimate businesses. Now, you could expect a character like Capone to carry himself like a businessman while much violence is carried out on his behalf.
Obviously, this had to be done on a somewhat limited budget, given that the studio responsible is Allied Artists, whose other 1950s ventures were usually - well, schlockier. But the filmmakers, led by director Richard Wilson, take the material seriously and respectfully. Now, Eliot Ness is never mentioned, although references are made throughout to "the Feds"; here, it's Gregory that leads the crusade against this leader in organized crime.
The film is not particularly stylish, but it is basically well-made, with another great lighting job by the renowned cinematographer Lucien Ballard.
The main value lies in an exceptional cast. Steiger does some scenery chewing, but here it works, as he portrays a larger than life man with major mood swings and a hair-trigger temper. He delivers a magnetic, forceful performance. One of the most stunning plot twists is that Capone actually manages to win the hand of a widow (Fay Spain, in the only substantial female role) whose husband he had killed. Martin Balsam is lots of fun as the slightly shady newspaperman (based on real-life Jake Lingle) who hobnobs with Capone and his ilk. Persoff, Murvyn Vye (as "Bugs" Moran), Robert Gist (as Dion O'Banion), Lewis Charles (as Earl Weiss), Joe De Santis (as Big Joe Colosimo), Sandy Kenyon, Raymond Bailey, Al Ruscio, and Ron Soble round out a very fine bunch of actors. Dialogue director Joseph Sargent, who began his own directing career that same year with "Street-Fighter", puts in an on-screen appearance as Bob Buell.
Somewhat like a documentary at times, due to the narration, albeit with the standard Hollywood use of some dramatic license.
If you're a true crime aficionado, and enjoy old black & white movies, "Al Capone" does deliver some decent entertainment.
Six out of 10.
The movie - which is also narrated by Gregory - attempts to show how Capone changed the image of the typical mobster by illustrating his ventures into legitimate businesses. Now, you could expect a character like Capone to carry himself like a businessman while much violence is carried out on his behalf.
Obviously, this had to be done on a somewhat limited budget, given that the studio responsible is Allied Artists, whose other 1950s ventures were usually - well, schlockier. But the filmmakers, led by director Richard Wilson, take the material seriously and respectfully. Now, Eliot Ness is never mentioned, although references are made throughout to "the Feds"; here, it's Gregory that leads the crusade against this leader in organized crime.
The film is not particularly stylish, but it is basically well-made, with another great lighting job by the renowned cinematographer Lucien Ballard.
The main value lies in an exceptional cast. Steiger does some scenery chewing, but here it works, as he portrays a larger than life man with major mood swings and a hair-trigger temper. He delivers a magnetic, forceful performance. One of the most stunning plot twists is that Capone actually manages to win the hand of a widow (Fay Spain, in the only substantial female role) whose husband he had killed. Martin Balsam is lots of fun as the slightly shady newspaperman (based on real-life Jake Lingle) who hobnobs with Capone and his ilk. Persoff, Murvyn Vye (as "Bugs" Moran), Robert Gist (as Dion O'Banion), Lewis Charles (as Earl Weiss), Joe De Santis (as Big Joe Colosimo), Sandy Kenyon, Raymond Bailey, Al Ruscio, and Ron Soble round out a very fine bunch of actors. Dialogue director Joseph Sargent, who began his own directing career that same year with "Street-Fighter", puts in an on-screen appearance as Bob Buell.
Somewhat like a documentary at times, due to the narration, albeit with the standard Hollywood use of some dramatic license.
If you're a true crime aficionado, and enjoy old black & white movies, "Al Capone" does deliver some decent entertainment.
Six out of 10.