Public Enemies

Set in Chicago during the Great Depression era, Public Enemies tells the true story of legendary bank robber John Dillinger, the charismatic thief whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover's fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis, as well as a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public, who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression. The adventures of Dillinger's gang, which in its latter stages included the sociopathic Baby Face Nelson, thrilled many, but to Hoover he was a menace, making him America's first Public Enemy Number One. Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis' men in wild chases and shootouts and it was only after importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen, who were real gunfighters, and orchestrating epic betrayals, from the infamous "Lady in Red" to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti, were Purvis and the FBI able to finally close in on Dillinger.

Due to the writers' strike, Michael Mann was able to cast Johnny Depp and Marion Cotillard once their respective projects had been postponed. Depp was preparing to film Shantaram while Cotillard was rehearsing for Nine.

In the trailer for the film, Johnny Depp says to one of the bank customers, "We're here for the bank's money, not yours." This line was first heard in Michael Mann's previous film Heat, and was said by Robert De Niro.

The film was shot on actual historical sites, including the famous Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters, where Dillinger's most famous gunfight with the F.B.I. occurred, and the old Lake County jail in Crown Point, Indiana, where Dillinger staged his most famous escape when he fooled jail guards with a wooden gun and escaped in the sheriff's car.

Leonardo DiCaprio was initially attached to play John Dillinger but he left the project to appear in Scorsese's Shutter Island.

'Intelligent and challenging: Mann's crime epic could take two viewings to fully absorb, but it's worth every devoted minute.'

'A grave and beautiful work of art.'

This is a "movie" not a documentary. I think it was well acted and overall well done. Great photography and sound. Cast with many familiar faces of other character actors as well as your stars. If I wanted a totally factual documentary I would look online. Depp was great as usual and Bale was much better than in Terminator. Well worth it.

The artist sometimes known as John Connor says he hasn't spoken to director McG about a follow-up to this summer's robotic blockbuster...

International promos for two of the year's most anticipated movies

Get your first look at Johnny Depp versus Christian Bale in Michael Mann's gangster epic...

First look at Depp and Bale in Michael Mann's latest

The Real Public Enemies

Features

 - 30/06/2009

Upcoming Films

Paranormal Activity Out: November 25, 2009 Dir. Oren Peli Starring Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat Teaser

Law Abiding Citizen Out: November 27, 2009 Dir. F. Gary Gray Starring Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx Trailer

Where The Wild Things Are Out: December 11, 2009 Dir. Spike Jonze Starring Max Records, Catherine Keener Teaser

Clash of the Titans Out: March 26, 2010 Dir. Louis Leterrier Starring Sam Worthington, Gemma Arterton

Planet 51 Out: December 04, 2009 Dir. Jorge Blanco Starring Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel Trailer

Invictus Out: February 05, 2010 Dir. Clint Eastwood Starring Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - part 1 Out: November 19, 2010 Dir. David Yates Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson

Upcoming Films More films coming soon

Films Out Now

2012  (15) Dir. Roland Emmerich Starring John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor Currently showing in 466 cinemas Trailer | Pics

Fantastic Mr. Fox  (PG) Dir. Wes Anderson Starring George Clooney, Meryl Streep Currently showing in 439 cinemas Trailer | Pics

Pixar's Up  (U) Dir. Pete Docter, Bob Peterson Starring Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai Currently showing in 436 cinemas Trailer | Pics

Disney's A Christmas Carol Harry Brown The Men Who Stare at Goats Michael Jackson's This Is It Jennifer's Body An Education Hannah Montana: The Movie Cirque du Freak : The Vampire's Assistant Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Bedtime Stories Amelia Bandslam Bright Star Monsters vs. Aliens Saw 6 Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs Julie & Julia Aliens In The Attic Taking Woodstock Couples Retreat 9 Dead Man Running Broken Embraces The White Ribbon The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Mesrine: Killer Instinct Creation Fame Public Enemy Number One Adventureland Aladin Cold Souls Zombieland Fish Tank Dorian Gray 57 1Soloist

More Films