The Public Enemy [1931]

Released the same year as the dull Little Caesar, The Public Enemy is the total opposite it has fast-paced plot, gripping storyline and brilliant direction from A star director William A. Wellman (Beau Geste, Battleground). The films follows Tom Powers (James Cagney in his first and best gangster role) as he starts as small kid growing up to big time gangster and his buddy as they rob things from shops and sell them on the criminal market to thriving when Prohibition comes in. Cagney captures the role of a violent and top of the world gangster who gets what he wants, he has that violent compelling charisma apparent in some many of his films: Kiss Tommorow Goodbye, White Heat and Angels with Dirty Faces. Also Donald Cook plays Mike, Tom's straight-laced brother who does the exact opposite of Tom and acts as the voice of law in the film if slightly in your face goody he is still necessary to show the path of goodness even though I was rooting for Cagney's character. Wellman boasts some powerful affective scenes such as one scene where Tom drenched by rain and the ending which still has the power to shock. This is brilliant gangster film and much better than Little Caesar (1931) which features Edward G Robinson with as much charisma as quacking duck; he could never hold a candle to Cagney's raw energy.

Considering its age, this film has scrubbed up very nicely for this DVD re-issue, with sharp images and good sound.The great James Cagney plays Tom Powers, a streetwise hood with no regard for man, woman or beast, in what was to be the first of a series of leading roles in which he portrayed a variety of tough guys and gangsters. His performance is brilliant in conveying the sort of charisma that enables this type of character to attract a following amongst other lowlifes and criminals without suggesting, however, that Tom Powers is anything other than a sordid, selfish little hoodlum.Although one or two of the older supporting actors in the cast still adopt a rather stilted delivery of their lines, which must have been a remnant of earlier days in the theatre, most of the cast play their parts in a colloquial manner and this movie is as watchable today, and its message as relevant, as it must have been almost eighty years ago.The disc extras include an interesting running commentary on the film by Robert Sklar,contemporary newsreels,and a featurette entitled Enemies of the Public.Warmly recommended!

i bought this disc because it was advertised as blu ray when i got it it was a dvd , not even the same case

This I think was Cangneys breakthrough role, and what a performance.The grape fruit scene is the one every one talks about in this film, it's not that electrifying, but I suppose it was for its time shocking to see domestic abuse, even if it was done by fruit. But to be fair this is one of the best gangster films from the classic WB era, if your a fan of the genre and want educate your self of its origins this is one to have in your collection.

I thought that it doesn't rank up to modern gangster films in terms of brilliance. But I thought the setting, costumes and James Cagney's performance made it a great film for its time.

Cagney really was one of the greatest movie actors/entertainers of all time.His are the only 'gangster' movies I ever watch...I think I could watch him in almost any type of film, good or bad, and still enjoy his performance.

As i have had a previous copy of the dvd basic which for its time ,was great! the blu ray certainly does this movie justice! its sharp and the detail excellent!! for the age ! also the sound is clear! i recommend to upgrading to blu ray ! you wont be dissapointed!

Cagney at his Best. They don’t make ‘em like this any more. Unfortunately. Actors or movies. Golden age.