Rating: NR
Genre:
Crime
Release Date: 05/23/2006
SubTitles: English/Espanol
Dubbed: English/Espanol/French
Sound: DD2
Run Time: 100 Minutes
Flags: Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children
Distributor/Studio: 20th Century Fox
Schlockmeister
Roger Corman produced this graphically violent chronicle of the Chicago gangster wars of the 1920s and the events that lead to the bloody title showdown between rival mobsters
Al Capone (
Jason Robards) and
Bugs Moran (
Ralph Meeker) that marked a brutal end to a terrifying era.
Fred Steiner's film score is effectively mixed with popular songs from the 1920s, and the re-creation of gangster-era Chicago is a credit to the set designers. Historic and insightful narration is dramatically provided by
Paul Frees, giving the film the flavor of a
docudrama.
Jean Hale plays
Moran's gun moll, who is mercilessly kneed in the stomach while arguing over a fur coat. Though
The St. Valentine's Day Massacre was heralded by critics at the time of its initial release, their opinion of the film has changed with each decade as they waver on the cinematic value of all of
Corman's work. Audiences continue to relish the film, which is often shown on the anniversary of the bloody executions. Watch for
Jack Nicholson as one of the unfortunate victims.
~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide