If you fancy a night in watching a DVD, then take a look at the selection available at Island Libraries. At just £1.50 per night, they’re a great bargain. Ed
As a director who first became noted through the transfer of direct to video releases such as ‘Body Double’ in the 1980’s, the veritable talent of Brian De Palma was not immediately recognisable in Europe, although comparisons to Hitchcock are omitted at times, ‘The Untouchable’s’ original release at the end of 1987 managed to cause a cinematic crossover.
Brian De Palma (much like Alfred Hitchcock) manages to convey an ominous presence with his fascination in psychological areas of characters. He is always felt in the films he directs.
Fantastic detail
However, ‘The Untouchables’ is a film with writing from David Mamet – one of America’s most forceful living writers and as it is Brian De Palma’s most famous work, apart from the dark cult of ‘Scarface’, the combination is rather unique.
Much like Brian De Palma’s later work, ‘The Untouchables’ is well known for its detail, technical expertise and scenes that reveal a vast knowledge of enthusiasm for cinema, but also it is a work that never stagnates, never deters from the subject, yet is at times strangely restrained.
Brian De Palma manages to direct well and also the film still conveys intimacy and sadness through the skills of a talented cast. The director’s strength is in scenes and also through motion. This constant movement of fluidity works well throughout ‘The Untouchables’ as well as in the underrated ‘Snake Eyes’, released at the end of the 90’s.
Achieving commercial success as well as rejuvenating the careers of nearly everyone within a radius of release, it still manages to be both enjoyable and educational to one of the darker periods of Chicago’s infamous history.
