The Real Untouchables

Between the 20th century's world wars, crime bosses ruled many major U.S. cities, until the efforts of men such as Elliott Ness, Melvin Purvis, and Thomas Dewey--profiled here in three individual hour-long programs--brought them down. Separating fact from fable, The Real Untouchables, narrated by James Woods, points out that Al Capone was actually brought to justice on tax evasion charges, not for selling bootleg liquor during Prohibition, and that Elliott Ness had a relatively minor role in his apprehension and conviction. In fact, most of the legend surrounding Ness surfaced with the publication of his book The Untouchables (later made into both a TV show [1959-1963] and a motion picture [1987] of the same name)--a book that Ness' co-writer readily admits took considerable dramatic license to “tell a good story.” Melvin Purvis was an incorruptible lawman charged by J. Edgar Hoover to get John Dillinger. After becoming a national hero, however, his law enforcement career and other business ventures were squashed by a jealous Hoover. Thomas E. Dewey's crusade to clean up New York City--which included Lucky Luciano, head of the crime families in New York--brought him a successful political career that included a close race for the presidency of the United States. Special features on the DVD include short sketches of each of the lawmen and their accompanying crooks. Combining photos, newspaper accounts, and dramatic recreations, as well as interviews with biographers, this series offers a balanced approach without romanticizing the characters or sensationalizing their actions (although the graphic scenes of violence are not for the faint-hearted). Recommended. Aud: C, P. (L. Stevens)