1973's "Dillinger" wasn't the first biopic of the 30s most infamous bank robber (that would be Lawrence Tierney's 1945 Monogram feature sporting the same title), but as the directorial debut of acclaimed screenwriter John Milius, it carried forth the blood red stain of death exemplified by the 1967 "Bonnie and Clyde," without turning its gangsters into romanticized folk heroes. Apart from his tight staging of action packed shootouts, the best thing about this version is its exemplary cast, with Warren Oates such a dead ringer for the charismatic title character that he was seemingly born to play John Dillinger (Milius was always drawn to such strong performers anyway). Opposing him is Oscar winner Ben Johnson (for 1971's "The Last Picture Show") as FBI Agent Melvin Purvis, determined to smoke one prized Cuban cigar over the corpse of every criminal on his Most Wanted list. What a Rogue's Gallery of capable confederates: Harry Dean Stanton, Geoffrey Lewis, Richard Dreyfuss (as Baby Face Nelson), John Ryan, Steve Kanaly (as Pretty Boy Floyd), and Frank McRae, with Michelle Phillips playing Dillinger's love interest, and another Oscar winner (for the same 1971 film!), Cloris Leachman popping up at the very end as 'The Lady in Red.' Although it's about as factual as the 1939 "Jesse James," the pacing never flags and the filmmakers truly bring the Depression-era to vivid life, an unbeatable entertainment for those with strong stomachs.
Review of Dillinger
