The Untouchables (1987) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie is set in Chicago during the Prohibition era, with key scenes taking place at the Lexington Hotel, which was Al Capone's headquarters. Federal operations also extend to Washington, D.C., reflecting the bureaucratic fight against organized crime.

• chicago
• lexington hotel
• prohibition era
• settings
• washington dc

The story takes place in the early 1930s, during the tail end of the Roaring Twenties and the onset of the Great Depression. This period was defined by Prohibition, which created the conditions for organized crime to flourish.

• 1930s
• prohibition
• great depression
• time period
• roaring twenties

Justice is the central theme, following Eliot Ness's unwavering commitment to dismantling Al Capone's criminal empire despite overwhelming corruption and danger. The film explores what it means to maintain integrity when the system itself is compromised.

• justice
• theme
• integrity
• corruption
• law enforcement

Eliot Ness is a determined Bureau of Prohibition agent tasked with bringing down Al Capone. He is portrayed as a man of unyielding integrity who faces immense pressure from both corrupt officials and dangerous criminals, representing the moral complexity of law enforcement during the Prohibition era.

• eliot ness
• protagonist
• prohibition agent
• robert de niro

James Malone is an experienced Irish-American police officer who assists Ness in his quest against Capone. He provides tactical wisdom and street-smart guidance, serving as both a mentor and a seasoned veteran who understands the deadly stakes of confronting organized crime.

• james malone
• sean connery
• supporting character
• cop

Frank Nitti is Al Capone's ruthless enforcer, representing the cold violence of organized crime. His calm demeanor masks a dangerous volatility, and he serves as a constant threat to Ness and his team, demonstrating the lethal consequences of defying Capone's empire.

• frank nitti
• antagonist
• capone enforcer
• villain

Sacrifice is a powerful theme as characters like Malone and Wallace give their lives in pursuit of justice. Their deaths underscore the human cost of fighting an unforgiving criminal underworld, illustrating the personal toll exacted on law enforcement agents who stand against powerful mobsters.

• sacrifice
• death
• malone
• wallace
• theme

Violence is pervasive throughout the film, showcasing the brutal reality of Prohibition-era organized crime. Capone's retaliatory actions, including the infamous baseball bat murder, illustrate the extreme lengths gangsters will go to maintain power, creating an atmosphere of constant danger and fear.

• violence
• prohibition
• organized crime
• brutality
• theme

The film depicts the Prohibition era of the 1930s, a time when the ban on alcohol created a lucrative black market that powered organized crime. This historical context frames the conflict between Ness's law enforcement team and Capone's criminal empire.

• prohibition era
• 1930s
• historical setting
• american history

Chicago's setting is crucial because the city was synonymous with organized crime during Prohibition. The Lexington Hotel's significance as Capone's base of operations makes it a symbolic location where the battle between law and crime plays out, amplifying the film's tension and historical authenticity.

• chicago
• lexington hotel
• organized crime
• setting importance