Review of Capone (1975) by Camille L — 05 Sep 2012
Produced by Roger Corman and directed by Steven Carver (Big Bad Mama (1974) and Lone Wolf McQuade (1983)), this was a biopic of the rise and fall of the life of notorious gangster Al Capone. This wasn't the first time Corman had done a film about him, as he'd produced and directed The St.
Valentine's Day Massacre (1967). It's a good biopic with some good performances, and is quite overlooked when it comes to gangster biopics. It begins in 1919, when Al Capone (Ben Gazzara) groomed as a young boy by Johnny Torrio (Harry Guardino) and Frankie Yale (John Cassavetes) moves into the Chicago Underworld.
It not long before Capone wants a piece of the action, and wants more power. So, as the Prohibition takes hold of America, and speakeasies appear across Chicago, Capone is able to get in liquor from Atlantic City, New Jersey, brought in from Canada and other countries.
He also battles rival mobsters Hymie Weiss (John Davis Chandler) and George "Bugs" Moran (Robert Phillips), and romancing flapper Iris Crawford (Susan Blakely). Capone has help and muscle from fellow gangster Frank Nitti (Sylvester Stallone).
It's a good gangster film with some good action scenes, and some good acting. Gazzara makes a good Capone, even if the real man was shorter and dumpier, and the film does take liberties with the truth.
Plus, there's footage from Corman's The St. Valentine's Day Massacre spliced into this film, maybe to try and save money, but that's what Corman is like.
This review of Capone (1975) was written by Camille L on 05 Sep 2012.
Capone has generally received mixed reviews.
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