Is Al Capone Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Al Capone is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies.
It features a runtime of 104 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Al Capone Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1959, Al Capone emerges as a significant entry in the Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of In this unusually accurate biography, small-time hood Al Capone comes to Chicago at the dawn of Prohibition to be the bodyguard of racketeer Johnny Torrio. Unlike standard genre fare, Al Capone attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and Al Capone features a noteworthy lineup led by Rod Steiger . Supported by the likes of Fay Spain and James Gregory , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Al Capone (1959) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Al Capone Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Al Capone is a Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama film that delivers high-octane sequences and adrenaline-pumping confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Al Capone Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Al Capone concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Al Capone reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Al Capone Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Al Capone incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a action, adventure, crime, drama film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Al Capone adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Al Capone?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Action films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection
Al Capone Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $1.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $2.5M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Al Capone Budget
The estimated production budget for Al Capone is $1.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Al Capone
- Rod Steiger – Al Capone
- Fay Spain – Maureen Flannery
- James Gregory – Schaefler (narrator)
- Martin Balsam – Mac Keeley, reporter
- Nehemiah Persoff – Johnny Torrio
Top Highlights
Rod SteigerAl Capone
Fay SpainMaureen Flannery
James GregorySchaefler (narrator)
Martin BalsamMac Keeley, reporter
Nehemiah PersoffJohnny Torrio
Murvyn VyeGeorge 'Bugs' Moran
Robert GistDion O'Banion
Lewis CharlesEarl Weiss
Joe De SantisBig Jim Colosimo
Sandy KenyonBones Corelli
Where to Watch Al Capone Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoParents Guide & Age Rating
Al Capone has not been officially rated yet. Based on its genres (Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama), it contains violence, action sequences, mature themes.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.6/10, and global collection metrics, Al Capone stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1959 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Al Capone movie hit or flop?
Al Capone has received mixed reviews with a 6.6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Al Capone worth watching?
Al Capone is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Action, Adventure, Crime movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Al Capone online?
Al Capone may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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How Al Capone Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Al Capone
Nobody who's smart goes hungry in Chicago. Al Capone is directed by Richard Wilson and written by Malvin Wald and Henry F. Greenberg. It stars Rod Steiger, Martin Balsam, Nehemiah Persoff, Fay Spain, Joe DeSantis and Murvyn Vye. Music is by David Raksin and cinematography by Lucien Ballard. Alphonse Gabriel Capone, it's a name synonymous with gangsters of 1920s America, and of course of cinematic films. Richard Wilson's film is one of the better gangster biopics out there, filmed in semi-doc style, it unfolds with great human drama without glorifying the subject matter. If anything it's refreshingly unsentimental in its approach. Steiger is Capone (never Caponee!) and he puts his method stomp all over the role, carrying the film squarely on his well cast shoulders. He has all the ticks and mannerisms of Capone to either chill the blood or charm the other characters in the play, it is very much a powerhouse performance. As a history lesson it's not wholly accurate, but much of it is rigid in the life and times of the famous criminal. The period detail is splendid, with the backdrops boosted no end by the gorgeous monochrome photography served up by Ballard. Enthralling, sometimes violent and always intriguing, this is well worth a look. 7/10
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
