Capone

Capone

Year: 1975

Runtime: 101 mins

Language: English

Director: Steve Carver

DramaCrime

Young Al Capone draws the attention of Johnny Torrio, a visiting Chicago gangster. Torrio brings him to Illinois to oversee a Prohibition‑era alcohol racket during the 1920s. Capone rapidly ascends Torrio’s crew, eventually seizing control, eliminating rivals, rigging elections and amassing wealth, while courting the principled Iris Crawford.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Capone yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Capone (1975)

Trace every key event in Capone (1975) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Ambush and scar in Brooklyn

Capone tips off fur thieves to ambush the arriving police. A brawl erupts and Capone is thrown through a glass window, leaving a lasting scar on his left cheek. He is released from custody thanks to the intercession of a senior police lieutenant.

May 6, 1918 Brooklyn
2

Recruitment to Chicago under Colosimo

Johnny Torrio plans bootlegging and sends Capone to Chicago to become an enforcer for Jim Colosimo. Capone meets Colosimo and Iris Crawford, and the move marks his rise in the Chicago underworld. The following morning Capone kills Colosimo in a restaurant so the bootlegging plan can go forward.

September 23, 1919 Chicago
3

Territorial map after Joliet ambush

A raid on a beer pickup in Joliet leads to a bloody exchange that redefines Chicago's territories. Capone suspects Hymie Weiss of the attack and Johnny separates the city into zones for O'Banion, Spike O'Donnell, the Genna brothers, and the Chicago Outfit. The violence sets the stage for long running feuds.

June 7, 1920 Joliet, Illinois
4

O'Donnell killed and O'Banion targeted

Spike O'Donnell is gunned down at the cusp of a turf war, triggering retaliations. Capone's crew helps carry out the violence against the Genna family and O'Banion is killed in a flower shop that night. Capone attends the funeral and tensions rise with Hymie Weiss.

September 5, 1923 Chicago
5

Capone takes control as Johnny plans to leave

Johnny Torrio considers peace offerings as Capone's heat grows, but ambushes threaten their direction. Johnny is shot but survives and decides to leave America for Italy. Capone ends up taking control of the Outfit, shaping its future.

January 15, 1925 Chicago
6

Ambush at Cicero and Crowe confrontation

Capone and his men ambush Weiss's allies in a Cicero inn, killing several and a crooked prosecutor. Capone learns Weiss is alive on the radio and faces District Attorney Crowe who threatens charges. Capone taunts him and Crowe drops the case after Capone hints at exposing corruption.

April 27, 1926 Cicero, Illinois
7

Drive-by and retaliation against Weiss

A drive-by shooting on Capone's hotel precipitates a furious retaliation. Capone orders a hit on Hymie Weiss, killing Weiss and his men from a rooftop.

September 20, 1926 Chicago (North Side)
8

Aiello killed after betrayal

Joe Aiello refuses to work with Capone and allies with Moran. Capone's faction counters by killing Aiello with a car bomb planted by Nitti, intensifying the war for control.

September 21, 1926 Chicago
9

Moran feud escalates; Iris's death

Capone faces Moran's challenge as the feud intensifies. Iris Crawford is killed during a Moran attack on Capone's bistro, leaving Capone deeply heartbroken and vowing revenge against Moran's gang.

February 7, 1929 Chicago
10

Political pressure and warehouse massacre

Newly elected officials pressure Capone to end the violence. Capone's men, posing as police, execute seven men at Moran's warehouse, including the Gusenberg brothers. Nitti uses the incident to enable the authorities to bring Capone to trial for harsher charges.

February 14, 1929 Chicago
11

Tax evasion conviction and Alcatraz

After a lengthy process, Capone is found guilty not of murder or bootlegging, but of multiple counts of federal tax evasion. He is sentenced to eleven years at Alcatraz in San Francisco, marking the end of his dominance in Chicago.

June 16, 1931 Alcatraz, San Francisco, California
12

Syphilis diagnosis and decline

A doctor confirms Capone has syphilis, warning that the disease will erode his mind first. His health deteriorates in prison, and he becomes a shadow of the feared man he once was.

February 2, 1938 Alcatraz, San Francisco
13

Final decline on Palm Island

Capone's condition worsens on Palm Island as Nitti and caretakers observe his mental and physical decline. He yells at imagined figures, signaling the collapse of the empire he built.

April 5, 1946 Palm Island, Florida
14

Capone's death

Capone dies a year after the Palm Island visit, fading from complications of his illness. His death marks the end of an era for a man who once ruled Chicago's underworld.

1947 Palm Island, Florida

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:25

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Grim Crime Lord Sagas like Capone

Chroncling the brutal ascent and inevitable, lonely downfall of a criminal kingpin.If you liked the intense, tragic story of Al Capone's rise and fall, explore more movies like it. This collection features similar gritty crime dramas about ambitious gangsters who build empires only to face a bleak and inevitable downfall, perfect for fans of heavy, character-driven organized crime stories.

ruthlessgrimcalculatingmelancholicbrutaltenseoppressivetragic

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a linear or biographical path, tracing the protagonist's climb from obscurity to immense power. This rise is often fueled by ruthless tactics, strategic violence, and political corruption. The second half of the story focuses on the empire's instability, internal betrayals, and the protagonist's physical or moral collapse, culminating in a sad or bleak ending that underscores the futility of their quest for power.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by their focus on the tragic arc of a single powerful figure within a criminal underworld. They share a dark tone, high intensity from constant power struggles, and a heavy emotional weight stemming from the protagonist's moral and physical decay. The pacing is often fast, driven by a relentless series of strategic moves and violent conflicts.

Intense Stories of Moral Decay like Capone

Stories where the pursuit of power corrupts absolutely, leading to a dark end.For viewers who appreciated the dark and heavy tone of Capone, this section collects movies with a similar vibe. Discover films that explore the corrosive nature of power, featuring fast-paced narratives, high-stakes violence, and characters whose ambitions lead them into profound moral decay, resulting in a somber conclusion.

calculatingruthlesstensegrimbrutaloppressivecorruptmelancholic

Narrative Summary

These stories often depict a protagonist's gradual or rapid loss of ethical boundaries in their quest for dominance. The plot is driven by escalating conflicts, betrayals, and acts of violence that erode the character's humanity. The central conflict is internal as much as external, charting a psychological descent into ruthlessness that culminates in a hollow victory or a complete personal downfall.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared exploration of corruption and the heavy price of power. They create a cohesive experience through a consistently dark tone, high emotional intensity, and fast pacing that mirrors the protagonist's chaotic ascent. The unifying element is the focus on the psychological and moral unraveling of a central figure.

Unlock the Full Story of Capone

Don't stop at just watching — explore Capone in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Capone is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Capone Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Capone, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Capone Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Capone

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Capone. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Capone

More About Capone

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Capone: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Capone