Directed By:Brian De Palma
Written By:David Mamet, Oscar Fraley, Eliot Ness, Paul Robsky, Chip Miller
The Untouchables
Metascore
Generally Favorable
79
User score
Generally Favorable
8.0
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
79
81% Positive
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
19% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
This is a big, beautifully designed movie in which the filmmakers' intelligence is everywhere; it's the product of a special vision. And Brian De Palma continues to be good news from Hollywood. [3 June 1987, p.D1]
100
Hollywood's latest big-budget, high-concept, mass-market reworking of material not entirely fresh, has more endings than Beethoven's Fifth, but it's also packed with surprises, not the least being that it's a smashing work. It's vulgar, violent, funny and sometimes breathtakingly beautiful.
User score
Generally Favorable
8.0
86% Positive
160 Ratings
160 Ratings
13% Mixed
24 Ratings
24 Ratings
1% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Mar 23, 2022
10
I have seen many movies, and while The Untouchables is not the best movie of all of them, it is one I enjoyed enormously. There is so much to recommend it and I found it great to watch. The story is riveting and well constructed, and while he doesn't show off as such, a good thing in my book, Brian DePalma does let loose with some very inventive not to mention bloody set pieces. See the climax at the railway station for instance, while essentially a nod to the famous Odyssey steps sequence in the Battleship Potemkin, it was brilliantly done all the same. Speaking of DePalma, he does do a wonderful job directing. That isn't the only reason why the Untouchables was such a hit with me. There are many more reasons. The dialogue is like crackling fire works, it is witty, intelligent and sophisticated, and some of it goes by surprisingly quickly. Ennio Morricone is one of the finest film composers ever, his score here is no exception, as it soars very like an eagle in full flight. And we have some truly sparkling production design, I love films with beautiful sets, scenery and costumes and The Untouchables scored highly in this area. Then we have very strong acting, Kevin Costner mayn't be to everybody's tastes but I think in his star-making turn he gave one of his better performances in this film. Andy Garcia joins the team with enthusiasm, and a plumped-up Robert DeNiro as Al Capone is wonderful as always. However, in my opinion, as the Irish cop who shows Costner the ropes, Sean Connery one of the most charismatic actors around gives the best and even perhaps most memorable performance here. Overall, a wonderful film, with an awful lot to recommend it. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Aug 12, 2020
10
Watched this movie with my Dad a while back! I absolutely loved it! The exellent acting, air-tight plot and interesting story will have you captivated till' the final scene! The fight scenes had me on the edge of my seat every time! Not to mention some of the best story telling I've ever seen! If you haven't seen this movie you're missing out on the best crime drama action thriller out there today! Even if you don't like the genre, give this movie a shot! You wont regret it!
88
Ethics aside, the filmmaking by DePalma is stylish and alternates between shocking surprise and hold-your-breath quiet.
75
De Palma's visual acuity tends to blur into mere gimmickry without the benefit of a resonant script. He got one in Carrie and another in Blow Out. Here, Mamet makes do with a text that is always shrewd but never intelligent. Still, when shwrewdness meets style, smoothing the curves and polishing the twists, the ride becomes a bonafide crowd-pleaser. The Untouchables is the cheering people's happy choice. [4 June 1987]
75
One triumph of The Untouchables is the way its operatic style accommodates larger-than-life performances.
60
The real root of the movie's problems may lie in the fact that Mamet has identified with the men of principle and De Palma with the scoundrels -- in other words, with Capone instead of the eagle-scout Ness.
50
It's strange that in this somber inspection of moral fiber and what causes it to fray, De Palma couldn't have made his hero at least as interesting as his villain, and both of them at least as complicated as they were in life.
Oct 11, 2018
10
One of the best Mafia films ever made, with a well-developed plot, great performances from Kevin Costner, Robert de Niro and - especially - Sean Connery, plus the magnificent Ennio Morricone'S score and Brian De Palma's great direction.
Jul 9, 2014
10
The Untouchables is a magnificent crime drama. The story is interesting, the action is incredible and the cast couldn't be more talented. Untouchables is a flawless crime drama with spectacular action and classic performances from the whole cast, A+.
Mar 25, 2026
6
It seemingly has it all, but everything is kind of off in different ways. The actors, script, and production do not work well together. Fun last 30 minutes, Morricone hard carry.
Jan 11, 2021
6
No one can deny that this is a good movie. In my case I found it a bit long even though it lasts less than 2 hours (bad sign).
Apr 13, 2020
6
Has some some great scenes, acting and music but is also quite silly at times.
Production Company:
- Paramount Pictures
Release Date:Jun 3, 1987
Duration:1 h 59 m
Rating:R
Tagline:The Chicago Dream is that big
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
BAFTA Awards
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
