Dillinger (1973)

92% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(2,312 ratings)

John Milius's first directorial effort in its own small way set the stage in the 1970s for a subgenre of action films that depict a nostalgia for historical figures tinged with a hard-edged skepticism. Warren Oates stars as John Dillinger, whose short-lived career as Public Enemy No.1 was, at least… More John Milius's first directorial effort in its own small way set the stage in the 1970s for a subgenre of action films that depict a nostalgia for historical figures tinged with a hard-edged skepticism. Warren Oates stars as John Dillinger, whose short-lived career as Public Enemy No.1 was, at least according to Milius, promoted by Dillinger with a self-absorbed boosterism, comforting his victims by telling them, "Someday you'll tell your grandchildren about this." The film captures the highlights of Dillinger's criminal career, as seen through the eyes of Melvin Purvis (Ben Johnson), the FBI agent whose obsession with capturing Dillinger led to Dillinger's death in the back alley of Chicago's Biograph Theater. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: John Milius
Written By: John Milius
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Jul 20, 1973 Wide
On DVD: Sep 19, 2000

Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Plenty of dapper technique
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Plenty of Cheap Thrills.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
An authentic, highly entertaining gangster film with lots of exciting gunplay.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Like other writers, John Milius began his directing career in the crime-gangster genre for American International.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Underrated crime flick from John Milius. Oates is fantastic!
Spyder Darling, NY Rock
Warren really feels his oats as the title gangster of this gruesome but gripping true crime drama.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
It's plays fast and loose with the facts, but Oates is always fun to watch.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

John Milius's Dillinger is a somewhat of a romanticized retelling of criminal John Dillinger's exploits. Dillinger is a flawed film that though is entertaining and worth seeing, it ignores several important facts. After reading extensively on John Dillinger and seeing both… More
John Milius's Dillinger is a somewhat of a romanticized retelling of criminal John Dillinger's exploits. Dillinger is a flawed film that though is entertaining and worth seeing, it ignores several important facts. After reading extensively on John Dillinger and seeing both Public Enemies, and Dillinger, I have to say that Public Enemies is a bit more accurate than this film. The problem with Dillinger is that director John Milius directs a film that uses real facts, but waters the facts down with too much fiction. Say what you want about Public Enemies, but that film was far more accurate, with minimal inaccuracies. Dillinger is an entertaining film despite the fact that Milius ignores facts, (I enjoy a bit of authenticity to films dealing about 1930's bank robbers). However this film does have some good things going for it. For one the lead who plays the title character of John Dillinger, Warren Oates looks like Dillinger and delivers a great performance as the title character. I liked the film, and though it is nothing compared to the classic, Bonnie & Clyde, Dillinger is still a good film to watch and enjoy if you love gangster films. Dillinger has some great action scenes and bank robbery scenes. Dillinger is a good film, but it isn't the definitive film on the exploits of John Dillinger. I enjoyed the film however, but I felt that the film could have been done much better than this. Dillinger is nonetheless a good film to see for viewers that enjoy a good bank robbery film, and despite its inaccuracies, Dillinger is still a fun film to watch.
Wahida K

I am still waiting for a better Movie based upon John Dillinger.
Stella D

it has a kind of cheesy tv movie feel but overall it's pretty entertaining. dreyfuss is downright laughable as babyface nelson but harry dean stanton always makes me smile and i thought warren oates was damn good as dillinger. i still have trouble imagining johnny depp in the… More
it has a kind of cheesy tv movie feel but overall it's pretty entertaining. dreyfuss is downright laughable as babyface nelson but harry dean stanton always makes me smile and i thought warren oates was damn good as dillinger. i still have trouble imagining johnny depp in the part. we'll see.
Michael G

Seeiing Sgt. Hulka play Dillinger didn't really do it for me. It seemed more like a watered-down Bonnie and Clyde. The 40s version was much better.