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Warren Oates, Ben Johnson, Michelle Phillips, Cloris Leachman, Harry Dean Stanton ... see more see more... , Richard Dreyfuss , Robert H. Harris , Roy Jenson , Steve Kanaly , Geoffrey Lewis , John Martino , Frank McRae , Read Morgan , John P. Ryan , Jerry Summers , Terry J. Leonard , Reed Morgan

John Milius's first directorial effort in its own small way set the stage in the 1970s for a subgenre of action films that depict a nostalgia for historical figures tinged with a hard-edged skepticism... read more read more.... Warren Oates stars as John Dillinger, whose short-lived career as Public Enemy No.1 was, at least according to Milius, promoted by Dillinger with a self-absorbed boosterism, comforting his victims by telling them, "Someday you'll tell your grandchildren about this." The film captures the highlights of Dillinger's criminal career, as seen through the eyes of Melvin Purvis (Ben Johnson), the FBI agent whose obsession with capturing Dillinger led to Dillinger's death in the back alley of Chicago's Biograph Theater. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Flixster Users

62% liked it

2,346 ratings

Critics

92% liked it

13 critics

R, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: John Milius

Release Date: July 20, 1973

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DVD Release Date: September 19, 2000

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Stats: 96 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (96)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    November 6, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    John Milius's Dillinger is a somewhat of a romanticized retelling of criminal John Dillinger's exploits. Dillinger is a flawed film that though is entertaining and worth seeing, it ignores several important facts. After reading extensively on John Dillinger and seeing both Public... read more Enemies, and Dillinger, I have to say that Public Enemies is a bit more accurate than this film. The problem with Dillinger is that director John Milius directs a film that uses real facts, but waters the facts down with too much fiction. Say what you want about Public Enemies, but that film was far more accurate, with minimal inaccuracies. Dillinger is an entertaining film despite the fact that Milius ignores facts, (I enjoy a bit of authenticity to films dealing about 1930's bank robbers). However this film does have some good things going for it. For one the lead who plays the title character of John Dillinger, Warren Oates looks like Dillinger and delivers a great performance as the title character. I liked the film, and though it is nothing compared to the classic, Bonnie & Clyde, Dillinger is still a good film to watch and enjoy if you love gangster films. Dillinger has some great action scenes and bank robbery scenes. Dillinger is a good film, but it isn't the definitive film on the exploits of John Dillinger. I enjoyed the film however, but I felt that the film could have been done much better than this. Dillinger is nonetheless a good film to see for viewers that enjoy a good bank robbery film, and despite its inaccuracies, Dillinger is still a fun film to watch.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 16, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    I am still waiting for a better Movie based upon John Dillinger.
  • rubystevens
    December 8, 2008
    rubystevens
    it has a kind of cheesy tv movie feel but overall it's pretty entertaining. dreyfuss is downright laughable as babyface nelson but harry dean stanton always makes me smile and i thought warren oates was damn good as dillinger. i still have trouble imagining johnny depp in the p... read moreart. we'll see.
  • mjgildea
    November 15, 2006
    mjgildea
    Seeiing Sgt. Hulka play Dillinger didn't really do it for me. It seemed more like a watered-down Bonnie and Clyde. The 40s version was much better.
  • Kyochanishi
    March 31, 2010
    Kyochanishi
    ok, old tv show style but I love this movie. It shows exactly what made Dillinger such a hero. He got what he wanted and was still very respectful for a bank robber that is. The actors and actresses are awesome and remember-able. It's funny how someone can steel your money but yo... read moreu still want to protect them. Kind of like a romantic relationship, through all the bad you still love them. I don't think any other Dillinger movie will ever capture the true feeling of this man and his time, better then this movie did. All others have a lot to live up to.
  • fushmange
    October 9, 2007
    fushmange
    Pretty much the badest assed depression era outlaw flick ever.

    Dream cast+ Killer soundtrack+Bloody violence=Somthing you should have seen already.
  • futsin
    June 25, 2007
    futsin
    WAY more mayhem than I expected. Warren Oates gives it his all and John Milius gives us a helluva flick. Purvis is a bad-ass mofo and the film's overall vibe is pretty cool mix of Peckinpah and Hill, but with that extra touch of Milius. ;) Diggin' it, major diggin' it.
  • jaynyca1
    June 22, 2007
    jaynyca1
    I really love this film, and I think that Warren Oates was a good actor choice to play Dillinger!. . . Perfect if you want a "shoot 'em up" ganster film with story and action!. . .
  • Astrotrain
    May 8, 2007
    Astrotrain
    Hollywood's version of the notorious gangster who was shot dead while leaving a movie theater by the FBI.

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Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce
September 6, 2009
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

Plenty of dapper technique Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
June 25, 2006
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Plenty of Cheap Thrills. Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
October 9, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

An authentic, highly entertaining gangster film with lots of exciting gunplay.

Emanuel Levy
July 4, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Like other writers, John Milius began his directing career in the crime-gangster genre for American International.

Scott Weinberg
April 17, 2005
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Underrated crime flick from John Milius. Oates is fantastic!

Spyder Darling
May 13, 2003
Spyder Darling, NY Rock

Warren really feels his oats as the title gangster of this gruesome but gripping true crime drama.

Bob Bloom
November 3, 2002
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

It's plays fast and loose with the facts, but Oates is always fun to watch.

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

A.H. Weiler
May 9, 2005
A.H. Weiler, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Dillinger Trivia

  • In 'Tron' (1982), Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) holds a grudge against Ed Dillinger (David Warner) for having stolen his idea and design for a popular arcade game. What's it called?  Answer »
  • Martin Sheen was in the film 'Dillinger and Capone' as John Dillinger.  Answer »
  • "I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars... and you. What else you need to know?" Which character said these words?   Answer »
  • Which actor plays John Dillinger?  Answer »
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