Dillinger (1991) (TV)

Director:

Rupert Wainwright

Writer (WGA):

Paul F. Edwards (written by)

Release Date:

6 January 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Biography | Crime | Drama | History

Plot Keywords:

Criminal Gang | FBI | Gangster | Criminal | Public Enemy Number One

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Mark Harmon	...	John Dillinger
Sherilyn Fenn	...	Billie Frechette
Will Patton	...	Melvin Purvis
Bruce Abbott	...	Harry Pierpont
Tom Bower	...	Capt. Leach
Patricia Arquette	...	Polly
Xander Berkeley	...	Copeland
Yvonne Suhor	...	Jacqueline
John Philbin	...	Hamilton
Amy Yasbeck	...	Elaine
David Neidorf	...	Clark
Vince Edwards	...	Hoover
Lawrence Tierney	...	Sheriff Sarber
Joe Guzaldo	...	Sam Cowley
Michael Krawic	...	Eddie Green

Also Known As:

The Last Days of John Dillinger (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Finland:K-16 | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

East Troy, Wisconsin, USA

Company:

David L. Wolper Productions

Trivia:

Lawrence Tierney plays a sheriff in this version of the Dillinger story. He played John Dillinger himself in Dillinger (1945).

Goofs:

Anachronisms: During the chase scene, following the bank robbery in Chicago, the camera pulls back to show the entire chase from a roof top in Milwaukee. In the distance, at the top of the screen, you can see the Phister Hotel Tower, which is a tall, round art-deco type style building. It was opened for business in the early 1970's.

A Decent "Dillinger" Presentation

I have all three movies (that I'm aware of) that are called "Dillinger" and have been available for purchase on either VHS or DVD. Of the three, this is by far the least known....but it's a pretty good one, as are the other two. (So "least known" that I am only reviewer of this movie as of March, 2006!)

The pluses are nice color (It won an award for its cinematography) .and a great period piece featuring the 1920s. It also had Sheriyn Fenn, who is never hard on my eyes. It also had a distinct lack of profanity, unlike the '73 version, but this was a made-for-TV version.

There was only fault, albeit a big one: Mark Harmon as Dillinger just wasn't quite believable. He's too much of a pretty boy to be a hard-nosed criminal like John Dillinger. Warren Oates and Lawrence Tierney, the other guys who played the role. looked the part.

Even though there was no nudity, it's fairly steamy for a made-for-TV movie. It also was interesting to see Dr. Ben Casey of past TV fame (Vince Edwards) after all these years. He played J. Edgar Hoover in a minor role here. Also in the film are Patricia Arquette and Will Patton. It's a decent gangster movie overall and worth seeing again. I hope it comes out on DVD.