The Untouchables: The Making of a Classic Film

By Michael C. Sullivan

A fun and nostalgic deep dive into the making of The Untouchables to celebrate the film's 40th anniversary.

The Untouchables marks one of the high points of modern cinema: a film that ushered in a new wellspring for studio-driven filmmaking and boasted some of the biggest names in Hollywood-both in front of and behind the camera. It starred Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, Sean Connery, and Andy Garcia, was produced by Art Linson, written by David Mamet, featured music by Ennio Morricone and costumes by Giorgio Armani, and was directed by one-of-a-kind auteur Brian De Palma. Yet, no one has written the definitive history of the film.

Michael C. Sullivan changes that with The Untouchables: The Making of a Classic Film, an action-packed deep-dive into the film's production. Featuring behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive interviews, Sullivan covers everything from the real Prohibition-era struggle between lawman Eliot Ness and criminal Al Capone to the popular TV series of the same name from the 1950s and 1960s starring Robert Stack, before diving into development, writing, casting, production, postproduction, release, and the ongoing legacy of the film.

Shot for a budget of $20 million, The Untouchables went on to gross over $106 million worldwide in 1987 and received four Academy Award nominations. This is the incredible story of how Ness and his squad of Untouchables arrived on the big screen. Whether new to the film and looking to enhance your viewing experience or a long-time fan eager to learn more about your favorite film, this is a must-read for movie buffs and casual viewers alike.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GTMSY9SL
• ISBN13: 9798881842604
• Release Date: February 2027
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.11 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"