DILLINGER: A TIME FORGOTTEN

Most younger viewers today have no concept of the term gangster as it applied to films of the seventies or for that matter the gangsters of the past. For them gangster refers to gang bangers and gang members in today’s world with no relation to where the term originally came from. While for the term “O.G.” or original gangster means gang members in the hood the reality is that the true original gangsters were the bank robbers and killers of the 20s and 30s who ran rampant at the time. Perhaps the most famous of these was John Dillinger and Arrow Film has just released the blu-ray version of a movie made about him back in 1973.

In the late 60s and early 70s gangster movies were making a comeback as seen in the success of films like BONNIE AND CLYDE and THE GODFATHER. So it was natural for a studio like AIP, known to make low budget films on popular film cycles, to dip their toe into the water. The result of their efforts was this film starring Warren Oates as Dillinger.

Picking up in midpoint of the career of Dillinger the movie shows him as a folk hero to some and a hard boiled killer to others. Dillinger and his gang robbed banks at gunpoint and were not shy of firing on anyone who tried to stop them. As the film opens their robbing a bank and escaping, wounded after a gun battle at their latest bank robbery.

The film is told through the narration of FBI agent Melvin Purvis (Ben Johnson) as he tracks down not just Dillinger but any and all gangsters on the run. With Dillinger as public enemy number one, Purvis has set his sights on him but knows it will take time. Time is on his side as he tracks down each criminal in the hopes they will lead to Dillinger.

Dillinger on the other hand is content to live his life on the run. With original gang members Homer Van Meter (Harry Dean Stanton), Harry Pierpont (Geoffrey Lewis) he takes on two new recruits, Pretty Boy Floyd (Steve Kanaly) and Baby Face Nelson (Richard Dreyfuss). His inclusion of the psychopathic Nelson will help with his downfall.

While most of us are aware of the life and times of John Dillinger this movie gives us a perspective of him rarely seen. Showing both sides of his life, perspectives from his point of view and Purvis’, we get an idea of the real man rather than just those who were out to capture or kill him. Many of the movies made at the time attempted this with their depiction of gangsters. While BONNIE AND CLYDE almost made heroes of their characters, DILLINGER doesn’t quite do so displaying the harshness of the character as well as the moments when things were calmer.

One of the things that stands out in this film is that it was the first major film directed by John Milius who went on to direct films like CONAN THE BARBARIAN and RED DAWN. Milius was more known as a screenwriter having written DIRTY HARRY, JEREMIAH JOHNSON and THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JUDGE ROY BEAN prior to this film. Fans of Milius will be overjoyed to see this release on blu-ray. Not only that they’ll be delighted to see it get the full on Arrow Film treatment.

As with all Arrow releases this film provides the cleanest transfer to be found of the movie. Their transfers are so well done that there are times you feel as if you’re watching a film for the first time no matter if you’ve seen it before or not. But that’s never enough for Arrow and the new release is packed with extras as well. Included are a commentary track featuring Stephen Prince the author of SAVAGE CINEMA and SCREENING VIOLENCE, a new interview with producer Lawrence Gordon, a new interview with director of photography Jules Brenner, a new interview with composer Barry De Vorzon, a stills gallery, the theatrical trailer, a reversible sleeve with new artwork by Sean Phillips and a collector’s booklet that includes an interview with Milius.

At the time of the film’s release I was a year shy of a driver’s license and the ability to see an R rated film. I’d looked forward to seeing this one for some time since and for some reason never had the chance. I’m happy to say that I wasn’t disappointed. If you’re a fan of the genre or seventies films then this one is not just worth watching but one to own as well. You won’t find a better version out there.

Click here to order.