The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre

The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre

Year: 1967

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: Roger Corman

CrimeHistoryCrime drugs and gangstersViolent action guns and crimeGritty crime and ruthless gangsters

The film reveals the hidden events that culminated in one of America’s bloodiest days: Chicago, February 14 1929. Al Capone consolidates power as the city’s crime boss. In a north‑side garage, his men—disguised as police—ambush and machine‑gun the key members of Bugs Moran’s rival gang. The documentary follows the buildup, the massacre itself, and the lasting impact on the lives it destroyed.

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Timeline & Setting – The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1920s

The events unfold in the late 1920s Chicago under Prohibition. The film uses flashbacks to past killings and rivals' feuds, culminating in the infamous 1929 massacre. The time frame emphasizes the brutal pace and public notoriety of gang warfare during this era.

Location

Chicago, Illinois, Cicero, Illinois, Miami, Florida

Set in Chicago during the Roaring Twenties, the story unfolds across the North and South Sides as rival gangs fight for control of bootlegging and gambling. The action moves through crowded speakeasies, mob-controlled businesses, and a notorious garage where a violent massacre takes place. The period's atmosphere is defined by Prohibition, organized crime, and power struggles that draw in criminals and civilians alike.

🏙️ Chicago underworld 🕰️ Roaring Twenties ⚖️ Prohibition era crime

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:43

Main Characters – The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967)

Meet the key characters of The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Al Capone (Jason Robards)

Capone is the ruthless South Side boss who resists Moran’s challenge and orchestrates brutal measures to consolidate power. His strategic patience, coupled with a readiness to act, makes him a central architect of the killings. He retreats to a winter home in Miami to establish an alibi while the hunt continues, showing two faces of leadership: calculated violence and public image.

👑 Power 🧭 Leadership

George 'Bugs' Moran (Ralph Meeker)

Moran leads the North Side gang and pursues control over bootlegging and gambling. He uses threats to coerce businesses and relies on a network of lieutenants to enforce his will. Although he survives the Valentine’s Day assault by not being at the scene, his posture is that of a wary strategist under pressure.

🧭 Rivalry 💰 Bootlegging

Peter Gusenberg (George Segal)

Gusenberg is Moran’s lieutenant who helps orchestrate tactics to pressure rivals and enforce protection. His role in the plan to eliminate Patsy Lolordo highlights the brutal pragmatism and fragility of mob alliances.

🤝 Alliances ⚔️ Violence

Johnny May (Bruce Dern)

Johnny May is a civilian victim caught in the crossfire of the gang war. His death underscores how ordinary people become casualties of the mob’s war for control.

⚰️ Victims 👤 Civilians

Reinhardt Schwimmer (Mickey Deems)

An optometrist who enjoys being around gangsters, Schwimmer becomes an unintended casualty in the violent feud. His presence in the underworld circles emphasizes how the line between crime and everyday life blurs during the era.

🕊️ Victims 🚶 Civilians

Jack McGurn (Clint Ritchie)

McGurn is Capone’s hitman, central to the elaborate plan to kill Moran’s men. The character embodies the era’s chilling impersonation of authority and the cold efficiency of organized crime.

🎯 Target 🔫 Violence

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:43

Major Themes – The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967)

Explore the central themes of The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👑 Power Struggle

Capone's ruthless leadership and willingness to use violence demonstrate how power is built in the mob world. Moran counters with tactical moves aimed at securing control over bootlegging and gambling alike. The film tracks how loyalty, fear, and strategic killings shape who rules the streets.

🔫 Violence & Betrayal

The narrative centers on orchestrated assassinations, brazen police disguises, and the chilling ruthlessness of mob hitmen. The attack in the garage shows how quickly violence becomes a business with little personal consequence. Betrayals among allies escalate the war, forcing even loyal followers to pick sides.

📰 Media & Reputation

Public statements and press conferences frame the killings, shaping how the events are perceived. The characters exploit reputation and image to justify their actions or to elude law enforcement. The era's media environment heightens the sense that information is weaponized in a city-wide power struggle.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:43

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The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Summary

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The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Summary

The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Timeline

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The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Timeline

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