Dillinger
A 1973 gangster film chronicling the life of Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger. Directed by John Milius, the film focuses of the Dillinger gang's crime spree through the midwest during the early 1930s, Dillinger's love interest Billy Frechette and also FBI agent Melvin Purvis' dogged pursuit of the criminal.
Warren Oates portrays the gangster as a larger-then-life celebrity who is both feared and revered by the public. Dillinger is an egotistical mastermind who believes his own press and views himself as an immortal force of nature, the "best damn bank robber" around. On the flip side, Ben Johnson plays FBI agent Purvis, who sees it both his duty to apprehend the notorious criminal as well as her personal quest to seek vengeance for the Kansas City Massacre, a violent attack that left several federal agents and police officers dead.
Featured early performances by Richard Dreyfuss, Steve Kanaly and Michelle Phillips, all in meaty supporting roles.
Two other films are also titled Dillinger that focused on the notorious criminal. The big-budget Michael Mann-directed Public Enemies would also cover similar territory.
- Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking: John Dillinger was an infamous bank robber and killer during his day, but because of limitations in federal laws at the time, the FBI was not able to pursue him. He eventually broke one law that allowed the feds to chase him: driving a stolen car across state lines.
- Badass Boast: Dillinger is known to deliver these on occasion.
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Dillinger: Now nobody get nervous, you ain't got nothing to fear. You're being robbed by the John Dillinger Gang, that's the best there is! These few dollars you lose here today are going to buy you stories to tell your children and great-grandchildren. This could be one of the big moments in your life; don't make it your last! |
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- Bank Robbery: John Dillinger's claim to fame, and by his own admission, what he's the very best at.
- Damn, It Feels Good to Be a Gangster!: All of the robbers tend to have this outlook on life, until the shooting starts...
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Dillinger: All my life I wanted to be a bank robber. Carry a gun and wear a mask. Now that it's happened I guess I'm just about the best bank robber they ever had. And I sure am happy. |
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- Follow the Leader: One of the many movies released in the wake of Bonnie and Clyde to exploit the Depression-era crime genre, and considered one of the best to do it.
- Guns Akimbo: Purvis takes on killer Wilbur Underhill while dual-wielding two Colt 1911s. Pretty Boy Floyd also prefers to use two 1911s in gunfights.
- Nelson faces down FBI agent Sam Cowley with a Tommy gun in one hand and a pistol in the other. This doesn't end well for either of them.
- Hair-Trigger Temper: Baby Face Nelson has this in spades. Mows down an entire street full of people during a robbery because he's pissed the bank's alarm has been tripped. Spends a considerable amount of the film screaming and threatening to shoot people.
- Hey, It's That Guy!: Would you believe Richard Dreyfuss, who made a career playing loveable characters, as trigger-happy psychopath Baby Face Nelson? And what's more, he nails it!
- Hollywood History: Like most films based on a true story, the movie plays fast and lose with the facts. Several criminals are depicted as working together when in reality they weren't members of the gang at the same time, like Homer Van Meter and Harry Pierpont. Pretty Boy Floyd was never a member of the Dillinger gang. Dillinger is shown to outlive several gang members when in Real Life he actually died first. Plenty of other examples as well.
- Inspector Javert: Purvis' whole relationship with criminals, particularly Dillinger. Has an obsession with hunting down those he feels are responsible for the Kansas City Massacre.
- More Dakka: At the start of the film, the gang members seem content using Tommy Guns, handguns and shotguns for pulling off their bank jobs. As law enforcement and civilians become more violent toward them, many switch to the heavy-hitting BAR 1918 automatic rifle.
- Only I Can Kill Him: Purvis says he swears personal vengeance on several criminals, with Dillinger as he personal Arch Nemesis. During the stakeout at the Biograph movie theater, Purvis instructs his men that when he identifies Dillinger leaving the theater, he'll light a cigar, which is the signal to swoop in and arrest him. Despite this, he walks up to Dillinger and goads him into going for his gun before personally gunning down the gangster himself
- Screw the Rules, I Make Them: Pretty much Purvis' attitude toward the legality of FBI agents killing Dillinger, who up until that point hadn't violated federal law.
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Samuel Cowley: Can't touch Dillinger, no federal offense; he doesn't deserve to be there. I don't want anyone up there I can't legally shoot! |
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- Take That: A few negative comments toward fellow bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde by Floyd and Dillinger could be taken to be a subtle snipe at the earlier film.
- There Is No Kill Like Overkill: How Pretty Boy and Homer Van Meter go down.
- Too Dumb to Live: Van Meter, who's normally one of the more moderate members of the gang, foolishly opens fire on a town filled with farmers. Unfortunately for him, every shop in town has NRA posters on the front windows...
- Villain Protagonist: Despite being the main characters, Dillinger and his gang are flagrant thieves and killers.