It feels like ages since I’ve written anything. The story follows John Dillinger (played by Lawrence Tierney), originally an Indiana farm boy with a desire for money. Once he figured out where to find it, he quickly became the most wanted criminal of the nineteen thirties. This depiction of someone who both frightened and fascinated the public is helped considerably by a strong script from Philip Yordan. The film’s power doesn't come simply from action sequences involving guns and robberies; instead, it explores what shaped Dillinger into the person he was. Did time spent in prison set him on his path? Was his partnership with Specs Green the spark that ignited a violent streak? Or was Dillinger just an avaricious individual who was inherently bad? Despite its short runtime of only 70 minutes and being made on a low budget, *Dillinger* stands out as a success within the gangster film category. It raises questions and creates moments of real discomfort, possibly making it one of the finest films in the genre without James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, or Edward G. Robinson among its stars. From a dramatic return to a bar to the intense final scenes, *Dillinger* remains impressive compared to modern movies that focus on violence for its own sake. I’d give it 7 out of 10.

Source on TMDB