The Untouchables

Year: 1987

Runtime: 119 min

Language: Spanish

Director: Brian De Palma

DramaHistoryThrillerCrime

During the 1930s in Chicago, Eliot Ness assembles a trusted team to dismantle the criminal empire of Al Capone. Facing corruption and immense danger, Ness and his men relentlessly pursue justice, confronting Capone's ruthless tactics and powerful network. Their fight tests their courage and resolve as they strive to bring down one of the most notorious gangsters in American history.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Untouchables 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 & Setting – The Untouchables (1987)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Untouchables (1987). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Roaring Twenties to the Thirties

The Roaring Twenties marked an era of cultural dynamism and economic prosperity in the United States, characterized by the rise of jazz music and flapper culture. However, as the Thirties approached, the country experienced the onset of the Great Depression, leading to increasing social unrest and the emergence of organized crime as entrepreneurs sought to profit from Prohibition. This tumultuous period laid the groundwork for Eliot Ness's efforts to bring down notorious mobsters like Al Capone.

Location

Chicago, Lexington Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Chicago, known for its vibrant history and architecture, serves as the backdrop for the intense battle against organized crime during the Prohibition era. The Lexington Hotel, infamous for its ties to Al Capone, becomes a critical location for the climactic confrontations between law enforcement and gangsters. Washington, D.C. is represented through the involvement of federal agents and their operations to dismantle Capone's empire.

🏙️ City 🏨 Hotel 📍 Capital

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:42

Main Characters – The Untouchables (1987)

Meet the key characters of The Untouchables (1987), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:42

Major Themes – The Untouchables (1987)

Explore the central themes of The Untouchables (1987), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:42

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.

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.

Gritty historical crime dramas like The Untouchables

Intense law-and-order stories set against a richly detailed historical backdrop.If you liked The Untouchables, explore more movies like it that plunge you into the visceral world of historical crime. These films combine meticulous period detail with tense, fast-paced narratives of justice versus corruption, offering a similar experience of determined protagonists taking on powerful underworld figures.

grittytenseretrodeterminedsuspensefulbrutalhistorical

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a straightforward, mission-driven plot where a protagonist or team takes on a seemingly untouchable criminal organization. The journey is linear and action-oriented, focusing on a series of escalating confrontations, tactical victories, and painful setbacks. The historical context provides both a unique flavor and concrete constraints that drive the conflict.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a potent mix of a specific historical setting, high-intensity action, and a clear moral battle. They are grouped by their gritty, retro atmosphere, fast-paced linear plots, and the heavy emotional weight of fighting corruption in a lawless era.

Movies with bittersweet victories like The Untouchables

Stories where defeating a great evil comes at a profound personal price.For viewers who appreciated the complex, costly ending of The Untouchables, this collection features similar crime and drama films where justice is achieved but at a heavy personal toll. These stories explore the theme that defeating a villain doesn't always mean a clean, happy ending.

bittersweetgrimheavydeterminedsolemncostly victory

Narrative Summary

The narrative arc follows a clear goal—to bring down a villain—but the path is littered with trauma, sacrifice, and ethical compromises. The climax often involves a legal or tactical technicality rather than a straightforward moral victory. The ending reflects on the scars left by the battle, emphasizing the personal toll over the public success.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their bittersweet emotional conclusion. Despite the protagonist's success, the ending carries a heavy weight of loss, sacrifice, or moral ambiguity. This shared feeling of a Pyrrhic victory, where the cost of winning is deeply felt, creates a coherent and poignant viewing experience.

Unlock the Full Story of The Untouchables

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Untouchables 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 The Untouchables is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Untouchables Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Untouchables, 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.

The Untouchables Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Untouchables with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Untouchables Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Untouchables that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About The Untouchables

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

Similar Movies to The Untouchables

Discover movies like The Untouchables that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.