A “masterpiece” crime thriller hailed by fans as a “must-see” is streaming for free in the UK. The Untouchables (1987) is set in 1930s Prohibition-era Chicago and loosely based on law enforcement efforts to bring down bootlegging kingpin Al Capone (played by Robert De Niro). Kevin Coster stars as Elliot Ness, a law enforcement officer who played a key role in the investigation in real life, leading a team set on bringing Capone to justice.
This includes veteran Irish cop Jim Malone (Sean Connery), Andy Garcia as sharpshooter George Stone, and IRS agent Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith). The series incorporates some historical figures but takes considerable creative license, reimagining Capone’s life as a breathless and dramatic narrative.
The film was directed by Brian De Palma, known for classics like Scarface (1983) and Mission Impossible (1996).
One fan took to IMDb to shower the movie with praise, saying it “shows us very cruel side of gangsters, bullies. And there are honest people who are fighting against them”.
“‘The Untouchables’ is truly a masterpiece,” they continued.
“Acting and directing is just perfect. De Niro, Connery, Costner… They are amazing in the movie. Action scenes are absolutely satisfying for action lovers.
“Oh and one more thing. Ennio Morricone’s soundtracks makes the movie even better,” they added.
Another said: “No other actor could have been as perfect in the role of Capone than DeNiro. On a scale from 1 to 10, “The Untouchables” deserves and gets a 10!”
A third added: “This is definitely Brian De Palma’s best film, and an ultimate crime movie. Sean Connery shines in his Oscar-winning performance, and this could also be Kevin Costner’s best performance.
“This is definitely a must-see movie that I strongly recommend!”
A fourth said Costner’s performance is “under-appreciated”, adding that the Yellowstone star “holds the whole movie together”.
“Then there are De Niro, Connery, and Garcia. They are all outstanding. This is probably the best movie that De Palma has ever made. Some may complain about accuracy but that never bothered me in this one.”
The film has a 15 certificate and contains strong violence and strong language, according to the BBFC, so may not be for everyone.
It has a 7.8% IMDb rating and is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, where it has an 83% Tomatometer score (reflecting the percentage of approved critics who have given it a positive review).
The Untouchables is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.
