This and the follow-up episode of "The Big Train" begin with a prologue that says that the show has some fictional elements and no guards involved with caring for Al Capone were actually working for the mob! So, you know from the outset that the show is mostly fictional.
The episode is set just before Alcatraz was opened as a federal prison in 1933. It wasn't surprising that the opening of this prison would lead to Capone being moved from his prison cell in Atlanta to this seemingly escape-proof prison in California...and that actually did occur. But what did NOT occur was the planned escape by Capone from the train...and that makes up most of this show. Part one is all about the conspiracy to fund Capone in his new life in Italy after he is sprung from the prison train. And, it ends with the train leaving the prison in Atlanta.
As far as casting goes, Neville Brand was wonderful because he was an incredibly scary looking actor...but looked very little like Capone. In particular, Brand had a lovely full head of hair and was well-muscled--Capone was bald and a bit paunchy. As far as the fictionalized story goes, it was entertaining and fun but also pure crap. Overall, enjoyable but a historical mess of a show.
The episode is set just before Alcatraz was opened as a federal prison in 1933. It wasn't surprising that the opening of this prison would lead to Capone being moved from his prison cell in Atlanta to this seemingly escape-proof prison in California...and that actually did occur. But what did NOT occur was the planned escape by Capone from the train...and that makes up most of this show. Part one is all about the conspiracy to fund Capone in his new life in Italy after he is sprung from the prison train. And, it ends with the train leaving the prison in Atlanta.
As far as casting goes, Neville Brand was wonderful because he was an incredibly scary looking actor...but looked very little like Capone. In particular, Brand had a lovely full head of hair and was well-muscled--Capone was bald and a bit paunchy. As far as the fictionalized story goes, it was entertaining and fun but also pure crap. Overall, enjoyable but a historical mess of a show.