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Public Enemies (1996) (V)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
C. Courtney Joyner (writer)
Release Date:
19 April 1996 (USA)
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Tagline:
No one could stop them.
Plot:
Glorified and glamourized fact-based tale of Ma Barker and her boys who robbed banks and generally terrorized...
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NewsDesk:
(11 articles)
First Look: Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum Celebrate Halloween Burlesque-Style in Glasgow
(From Channing Tatum Unwrapped. 12 November 2009, 8:02 PM, PST)
Nine New Contender Scripts: 'A Serious Man,' 'Harry Potter,' 'Precious' and More
(From Rope Of Silicon. 12 November 2009, 3:04 PM, PST)
(From Channing Tatum Unwrapped. 12 November 2009, 8:02 PM, PST)
Nine New Contender Scripts: 'A Serious Man,' 'Harry Potter,' 'Precious' and More
(From Rope Of Silicon. 12 November 2009, 3:04 PM, PST)
User Comments:
So not as bad as everyone says it is
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Leah Best | ... | Young Kate Clarke | |
| Chip Heller | ... | Mr. Clarke | |
| Theresa Russell | ... | Kate 'Ma' Barker | |
| Richard Eden | ... | George Barker | |
| Tom Ward | ... | Paymaster | |
| Brent O'Plotnik | ... | Herman Barker at 11 years | |
| Trevor Meeks | ... | Lloyd Barker at 10 years | |
| Joseph Lindsey | ... | Herman Barker | |
| Joe Dain | ... | Lloyd Barker (as Joseph Dain) | |
| James Marsden | ... | Doc Barker | |
| Gavin Harrison | ... | Freddie Barker | |
| Terry D. Seago | ... | Tall Sheriff | |
| Brian Peck | ... | J. Edgar Hoover | |
| Dan Cortese | ... | Melvin Purvis | |
| Grant Cramer | ... | Sam Cowley |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
MPAA:
Rated R for strong violence, some sex scenes, drug use and language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
95 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:16 |
Australia:MA |
Germany:18 (video premiere) |
Spain:13 |
UK:15 (video premiere) |
USA:R |
Spain:18
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Goofs:
Factual errors: The final shootout between Ma Barker and Melvin Purvis is captioned to have occurred in Lake "Wier" when in fact the location is near Lake Weir.
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Quotes:
Kate "Ma" Barker:
You said, "Dead by Christmas." Is that the kind of chance you're talking about?
Melvin Purvis: You can't believe everything you read in the papers. I'm the F.B.I., not a bounty hunter.
Herman Barker: No difference.
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Melvin Purvis: You can't believe everything you read in the papers. I'm the F.B.I., not a bounty hunter.
Herman Barker: No difference.
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You can't watch this film for a history lesson. This was the first I had heard of the Ma Barker saga, but I could tell almost immediately that the facts were way off. And with a little internet research I realized I was of course right. Ma Barker sure as hell isn't the sexy, calculating woman the movie portrays her as, and apparently did not orchestrate all the bank robbing schemes, kiddnappings, and murders that her criminal boys carried out.
But don't expect a brilliant crime drama. The script and the acting are adequate, the gunfights are excessive and mostly unrealistic, and there is a very laughable slow motion death scene. So why did I give it a 7 out of 10?
Because it was damn entertaining. The gunfights are fun to watch but there are some deeper themes that emerge between them. The movie has a strong sense of ego intimidation among it's cast of alpha males, each of whom has his own agenda. And I appreciate the minimal use of swears for the period. The set pieces are great, reproducing a convincing 1930s era.
So watch this film like you would a cult film, and take the excessive bloodiness and ruthlessness in stride with the cheesy ultra serious comments from the FBI man who wants to take the Barkers down at any cost. Inotherwords, don't take it too seriously, just have fun with it. And if you like this, you'll love Serial Mom.