Screenwriter John Milius, who penned Apocalypse Now and Red Dawn, among others, made his feature length directorial debut with Dillinger starring Warren Oates in the title role. Released in 1973, American International Pictures hoped to capitalize on the success of Bonnie and Clyde, released just a few years earlier. A moderate success at the box office, the film has since achieved cult classic status.
While the film plays fast and loose with the facts, Dillinger bears the quick witted and bloody trademarks of its director, a Hollywood outsider known for pushing the boundaries. Gunplay is constant as the film rolls from scene to scene, without taking a breath.
After several FBI agents are killed in the “Kansas City Massacre,” Melvin Purvis (Ben Johnson), FBI bureau chief, is tasked with taking Dillinger down. He tracks Dillinger and his gang across the Midwest, flushing out other gangsters along the way. Meanwhile, Dillinger shacks up with Billie Frechette (Michelle Phillips, of the Mamas & the Papas) he is eventually locked up, but not for long. After a daring escape, he teams up with notorious crooks Pretty Boy Floyd (Steve Kanaly) and Lester ‘Baby Face’ Nelson (Richard Dreyfuss) for more bank robbing chaos. Purvis remains determined, and anyone familiar with the story knows how this ends.
Working off his own script, Milius delivers an entertaining story, facts be damned. Warren Oates is perfectly cast as the titular character, a bad guy who, despite it all, comes across as sympathetic in depression era America. Ben Johnson’s Melvin Purvis is also excellent, embodying the tough “G-Man” of the era. The two leads fight for screen time and clearly enjoy playing off one another.
While the gangsters come and go, the supporting cast of Harry Dean Stanton, Geoffrey Lewis, John Martino, Steve Kanaly and Richard Dreyfuss (who might seem an odd choice to play Lester ‘Baby Face’ Nelson) give their characters enough life to be memorable despite limited screen time. This is particularly the case with Cloris Leachman as Anna Sage as the infamous “Lady in Red.” She has less than five minutes on screen but makes her appearance memorable. Oh, Michelle Phillips isn’t given much more to than be the beautiful woman she is, and she does it well.
Drenched in violence and filled with revisionist history, strong performances make Dillinger worthwhile viewing. If you want the true story of John Dillinnger and his gang, seek out any number of documentaries on the subject.
Presented in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, this 1080p transfer is the same one used for the 2016 Arrow Video release. Scanned in 2K from the original 35mm interpositive, the results are strong, the level of detail is impressive in each shot. Texture and depth are evident throughout. A nice level of grain gives things a natural look. While not exactly vibrant, the dull, brownish color palette looks warm and appropriate. There’s no print damage in evidence.
The LPCM Mono track suits the film well. Moments of action and violence are given a nice boost, while dialogue is clean, clear and concise throughout.
English SDH subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
- Theatrical Trailer
- Stills Gallery