The Untouchables

Criminal Adaptations

Notorious gangland kingpin Al Capone was at the height of his career supplying illegal liquor and beer during Prohibition. Thanks to his ruthless tactics and deep pockets, he essentially controlled Chicago through payoffs given to the city’s highest rank politicians and police force. Fed up with widespread crime, federal agent Eliot Ness put together a small group tasked with finally bringing “Scarface” to justice and putting an end to his reign of terror. Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables (1987) is based on the team who achieved their goal in less than three years, and features a star-studded cast which includes Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, and Sean Connery. In addition to discussing the true story that inspired De Palma’s film, we will talk about how Capone rode to power, earning his reputation as the most infamous gangster in America.
Primary Sources:
Kobler, John. Capone: The Life and World of Al Capone. Hachette Books, 1992.
Ness, Eliot and Fraley, Oscar. The Untouchables. Award Books, 1957.
Vanity Fair
Medium

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