THE PLOT THUS FAR
Was Al Capone the quintessential self-made American man, a ruthless killer, or both? From his early days rising through the ranks of New York’s gangs, to his slow demise in the aftermath of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, this film chronicles the complicated life of one of America’s favorite mob bosses. Capone was not only a bootlegger, killer, and gangster, but also a popular public figure who opened one of the nation’s first soup kitchens, and was a devoted patron and guardian of jazz, giving African American musicians opportunities that they would otherwise never have had.
More than 80 years have passed since the height of Capone’s power, yet his impact is still felt today. Al Capone: Icon examines Capone’s personal history and lasting legacy and unveils his unexpected connections to modern-day organized crime, law enforcement, popular culture from movies to rap music, and even everyday life in Chicago.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Icon” is a look at the rise to power of Al Capone. Over the course of an hour, we get a rudimentary history lesson on the man. That is for those that don’t know about Capone or only know him from “Boardwalk Empire”. Everything covered is pretty basic with a lot of speculation over his role in influencing modern crime. Nobody really goes into detail about how he died. STDs are gross.
Capone is more myth than many anymore. His face, his deeds and his life are the subject of films, books and t-shirts sold in heavily Italian American arenas. It’s part of the gangster image that certain poor elements of the US loves to cultivate. However, not enough attention is paid to those that Capone stepped on to get where he was. What about the victims?
The DVD comes with no special features. The standard definition transfer is crisp enough. The Dolby track is a supportive surround mix. It’s typical for most documentaries. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to Chicago crime historians.
RELEASE DATE: 09/30/2014