The Untouchables

This Red Eye Review Classic, is an Oscar winning movie directed by Brian De Palma which brings two hours of violent crime, sinister murder and justice to the screen. The movie focuses on one of history's notorious gang lords Italian American Al Capone.

The cast for the movie was carefully chosen to accurately portray the lead roles of Capone (Robert De Niro, The Godfather trilogy) and Ness (Kevin Costner, JFK). Characters Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith, Starman), Jim Malone (Sean Connery, Never Say Never Again) and George Stone (Andy Garcia, Black Rain) add quality and depth to the movie as Ness' team of Untouchables. Facing their retribution is evil assassin Frank Nitti (Billy Drago, Freeway) who works for Capone and is easily recognized by his white trench coat and trilby.

The wardrobe for the movie reflects the era in which it was set and were appropriately put together by famous fashion designer Giorgio Armani. The music was composed by another Italian Ennio Morricone, the orchestral crescendos and dark brooding down tempo moments are so poignant throughout the film that they capture wonderfully the changing fortunes of the Ness' men.

The scenery and design of the movie re-create the era of the 1930s, which coupled with the costumes of the actors and the music frame the action and re-create the dark, gritty streets of Chicago City. De Niro was perfect for the role of Capone, he devilishly plays the corrupt gang lord throughout the movie switching from suave charmer to shameless murder.

Costner was perfect for the character of Ness, an upstanding family man with untouchable morals and unquestionable faith in good over evil. Costner also works well with Connery, Garcia and Martin Smith on screen with the solid bond of friendship ever present and re-enforced by Connery's gruff and emotionally blunt character.

Sean Connery did an amazing job of playing his characters intelligent hard-nosed former cop character, offering the truth of the hard side of the streets to Ness and bringing to bear a life time of walking the beat. The casting and acting in this film is spot on with every actor seemingly perfect for the role, the film is beautifully shot and excellently written.

With heart wrenching moments of pain and loss the film takes you through a terrifying look at the ruthless underworld of 1930s Chicago, and how one band of men and their desire to do good put a stop to the madness with just there guts and their guns.