The film opens with the written prologue: “1930. Prohibition has transformed Chicago into a City at War. Rival gangs compete for control of the city’s billion dollar empire of illegal alcohol, enforcing their will with the hand grenade and tommy gun. It is the time of the Ganglords. It is the time of Al Capone.”
       According to an 11 Jul 1987 LAT article, Universal Pictures executive Ned Tanen spent several years attempting to acquire film rights to the life story of Prohibition-era lawman Eliot Ness, whose memoirs inspired the Paramount television series, The Untouchables (ABC Television Network, 15 Oct 1959—21 May 1963). When Tanen became head of Paramount’s motion picture division in 1984, he immediately called his longtime friend, producer Art Linson, to develop a feature film about Ness’ takedown of legendary Chicago gangster Al Capone. Although the television show was popular among audiences for its sensational violence, the 24 Jun 1985 LAT stated that Linson was more interested in providing a “serious, authentic” depiction of Ness’ time with the Chicago Police Department, and hired David Mamet to write the screenplay.
       While a 13 Mar 1985 Var item indicated Jack Nicholson was to portray Ness, the role ultimately went to Kevin Costner. In a 31 May 1987 LAT article, director Brian De Palma stated that in contrast to Robert Stack’s “tough” portrayal on television, Mamet’s screenplay painted Ness as a “vulnerable family man” who refused to bend or break the law. Although Ness was married to Edna Staley at the time in which the story is set, his onscreen wife, “Catherine,” and young daughter were fictionalized for the film.
       For the role of Al Capone, De Palma reached out to Robert De Niro, with whom he previously collaborated on Greetings (1968), The Wedding Party (1969), Hi, Mom! (1970), and Mean Streets (1973, see entries). De Niro, however, had just begun his Broadway debut in Cuba and His Teddy Bear, and needed time after the show to gain additional weight. Meanwhile, De Palma began discussions with British actor Bob Hoskins, who was later compensated $200,000 to relinquish the role once De Niro became available. According to a 21 Sep 1986 article in the Chicago Tribune, an additional scene was written for Capone, per De Niro’s request. The actor gained a total of thirty pounds to play the gangster, and received $1.5 million for eighteen days’ work.
       According to a 22 Oct 1986 Var production chart, principal photography began 18 Aug 1986 in Chicago, IL. Production notes in AMPAS library files indicate that more than twenty-five locations were featured in the film, including Union Station; The Rookery; Roosevelt University and the Chicago Theater, which doubled as Capone’s residence at the Lexington Hotel; the rooftop of the Chicago Public Library Cultural Center; an abandoned storefront in New Town; and a west side warehouse, which accommodated the sets used in the final courtroom scene. The Canadian liquor raid sequence was filmed at the Hardy Bridge in Cascade, MT.
       Since Mamet was unavailable to revise the script during production, De Palma rewrote several scenes with new locations. According to the 31 May 1987 LAT, the Union Station shootout, which was an homage to the 1925 Soviet silent film, Battleship Potemkin, was originally set in a hospital.
       Principal photography was completed in thirteen weeks. LAT and the 1 Jun 1987 Film Journal estimated the production cost between $20 million and $23 million.
       On 27 May 1987, HR announced that the 5 Jun 1987 release date had been moved up to Wednesday, 3 Jun 1987. Although Paramount chose to limit the number of screenings for critics, items in the 3 Jun 1987 Var and HR indicated that press events were held 8 May 1987 and 1 Jun 1987. The world premiere took place 2 Jun 1987 at the Astor Plaza Theater in New York City.
       The Untouchables opened in 1,012 theaters, 115 of which screened the picture in 70mm. Nationwide release was scheduled to follow on 19 Jun 1987.
       The film received generally favorable reviews and was a box-office hit. According to the 5 Jun 1987 HR, opening day earnings exceeded $1.8 million. Items in the 2 Nov 1988 Var and 2 May 1988 DV noted that The Untouchables went on to earn more than $70 million in the U.S. and Canada, making it the fifth most successful release of 1987 up to that time.
       Sean Connery’s performance as “Jim Malone” earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The film also received nominations for Art Direction, Costume Design, and Music (Original Score).
       The Untouchables marked the theatrical feature film debut of actress Patricia Clarkson.
       End credits state: “Special Thanks to: Illinois Film Office; Chicago Cultural Center; Roosevelt University.”