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Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.
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The St. Valentine's Day Massacre
History · Crime · 1967
Chicago February 14th 1929. Al Capone finally establishes himself as the city's boss of organised crime. In a north-side garage his hoods, dressed as policemen, surprise and mow down with machine-guns the key members of Bugs Moran's rival gang. The film traces the history of the incident, and the lives affected and in some cases ended by it.
Movie details
The St. Valentine's Day Massacre
“The shocking truth about events leading up to one of the most violent days in American history!”
1967 History · Crime 1h 40m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
6.3 / 10
Community rating
Chicago February 14th 1929. Al Capone finally establishes himself as the city's boss of organised crime. In a north-side garage his hoods, dressed as policemen, surprise and mow down with machine-guns the key members of Bugs Moran's rival gang. The film traces the history of the incident, and the lives affected and in some cases ended by it.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over The St. Valentine's Day Massacre?
For the defence
The Auteur Devotee
“You watch the director, not the movie.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Popcorn Loyalist
“Big screen, big feelings, no apologies.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.
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An old-time crook plans a heist. When one of his two partners is found out to be a black man tensions flare.
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Murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago.
Gun Crazy
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The Old Man & the Gun
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Crime Wave
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Reformed parolee Steve Lacey is caught in the middle when a wounded former cellmate seeks him out for shelter. The other two former cellmates then attempt to force him into doing a bank job.
King Creole
Drama · 1958
Delinquent Danny Fisher flunks out of high school, quits his job as a nightclub busboy, and one night gets the chance to perform. Success is imminent and local crime boss Maxie Fields wants to hire him to perform at The Blue Shade. Danny declines, but Fields won't take no for an answer.
Where it lives
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Roger Corman
Written by
Howard Browne
Jason Robards
Al Capone
George Segal
Peter Gusenberg
Ralph Meeker
George Clarence 'Bugs' Moran
Jean Hale
Myrtle
Clint Ritchie
Jack McGurn
Frank Silvera
Nick Sorello
Joseph Campanella
Albert Wienshank
Court is in session
Put The St. Valentine's Day Massacre on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist
“Technique in search of a pulse.”
Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.