The 1975 Capone biopic was a commercial hit despite being savaged by critics

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Directed by Steve Carver and produced by Roger Corman, the 1975 film Capone chronicles the rise and fall of the notorious Chicago mob boss. While it proved to be a commercial success, the production was plagued by chaotic on-set accidents, negative reviews, and a script that took significant historical liberties.

The film, which stars Ben Gazzara as Al Capone, covers the gangster's life from his early days as a street hoodlum to his final years suffering from syphilis. The production was marked by a challenging atmosphere; director Steve Carver later noted that Gazzara was difficult to work with. In one instance, a premature trigger pull by Gazzara during a submachine gun scene caused a dangerous chain reaction of explosions and stunts that nearly injured the crew.

Historical accuracy was not a priority for the production. The film introduces a fictional love interest named Iris Crawford and depicts Frank Nitti, played by a young Sylvester Stallone, eulogizing Capone at his funeral—a scene that contradicts reality, as Capone actually outlived Nitti by several years. Critics were largely unimpressed by these choices. Roger Ebert famously panned the film, noting that the movie’s geography was nonsensical, with lush California hills appearing at the end of Chicago streets, and describing the acting as a series of shrill, disjointed segments.

Despite the critical backlash, the film managed to earn $2 million at the box office. It remains a curious artifact of 1970s cinema, reflecting producer Roger Corman's penchant for recycling footage from his previous projects to keep costs down. While some retrospective reviews acknowledge the film's attempt to fill in gaps in the Capone biography, such as his decline into madness, it is widely remembered today as a murky, violent, and historically loose interpretation of a legendary criminal life.

The film's legacy is perhaps best captured by its own cast. Sylvester Stallone, who appeared in the movie early in his career, later described the production as the "cheesy, mentally challenged inbred cousin of The Godfather." Ultimately, the film serves as a reminder of how Hollywood often prioritizes sensationalized violence and dramatic flair over the nuanced realities of historical figures.

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