Dillinger is a 1973 gangster film which shows evidence of being strongly influenced by the films of Sam Peckinpah, as well as borrowing cinematically from the Warren Beatty vehicle, Bonnie and Clyde. It stars Warren Oates as the violent gangster John Dillinger in Depression Era America and Ben Johnson as his pursuer, FBI Agent Melvin Purvis. The movie, narrated by Purvis, chronicles the last few years of Dillinger's life (depicted as a matter of months) as the FBI and law enforcement closed in. The movie features unapologetic and largely unromanticized depictions of the principle characters, allowing for character depth and development which is rarely seen in the "shoot-em-up" genre. The compelling performances and clever script created a film which, over time, has transcended its B-movie production values. It was written and directed by John Milius for Roger Corman's New World Pictures. Retired FBI Agent Clarence Hurt, one of the agents involved in the final shoot out with Dillinger, was the film's technical advisor.

Cast

• John Dillinger - Warren Oates
• Homer Van Meter - Harry Dean Stanton
• Harry Pierpont - Geoffrey Lewis
• Pretty Boy Floyd - Steve Kanaly
• Baby Face Nelson - Richard Dreyfuss
• Reed Youngblood - Frank McRae
• Melvin Purvis - Ben Johnson
• Billy Frechette - Michelle Phillips
• Anna Sage, "The Lady in Red" - Cloris Leachman
• Eddie Martin - John Martino

External links