What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Untouchables
Brian De Palma · Film · 1987
If you loved The Untouchables, start with The Untouchables (Quinn Martin, 1959) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Untouchables across media.
If you loved The Untouchables, you are likely drawn to the visceral collision of moral conviction and the corrupting nature of power.
Start with the source
The source
The Untouchables
Quinn Martin · Series · 1959
Books on the same thread
F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald · Book · 1991
Explores: The American Dream, Social Class, Wealth and Status.
Like The Untouchables, this classic explores the dark side of the Twenties, where the pursuit of the American Dream inevitably clashes with the violence of a lawless era.
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald · Book · 2004
Explores: American Dream, Social Class, Love and Loss.
This tragedy mirrors the period-accurate intensity of The Untouchables, highlighting how the pursuit of one's desires in a corrupt society often leads to inevitable and devastating personal consequences.
The Godfather
Mario Puzo · Book · 1969
Shares a thread with The Untouchables: Corruption.
If the syndicate dynamics in The Untouchables captured your attention, this foundational crime saga provides a deeper look at the rigid hierarchy and internal loyalty within organized crime families.
Get Shorty
Elmore Leonard · Book · 1990
Explores: Fish-out-of-water, Hollywood satire, Mobster in Hollywood.
While The Untouchables treats its mobsters with grim seriousness, this story offers a sharp, humorous counterpoint that explores the intersection of criminal ambition and the allure of Hollywood.
Series on the same thread
Miami Vice
Anthony Yerkovich · Series · 1984
Shares 2 threads with The Untouchables: Good vs Evil, Neo-noir.
The unlikely partnership found in The Untouchables finds a modern successor here, as these two detectives navigate the moral ambiguity of an undercover world filled with constant danger.
The A-Team
Frank Lupo · Series · 1983
Shares 3 threads with The Untouchables: Teamwork, Underdog Story, Justice.
You will recognize the core dynamic of The Untouchables in this group of outcasts, who operate as a specialized team while fighting against a system that branded them criminals.
Crime Story
Gustave Reininger · Series · 1986
Shares a thread with The Untouchables: Neo-noir.
This intense pursuit between a dedicated cop and a ruthless gangster directly echoes the obsessive, high-stakes battle between Elliot Ness and Al Capone seen throughout The Untouchables.
Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter · Series · 2010
Explores: Political Corruption, Organized Crime, American Dream.
Set during the same Prohibition era as The Untouchables, this series delves into the political corruption and moral decay that define a world where the law is merely suggestion.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Big Picture
Podcast
Explores: Hollywood, Awards Season, Film Criticism.
This podcast provides the critical context and behind-the-scenes analysis needed to understand how a powerhouse production like The Untouchables defined the aesthetic of the modern gangster film.
The Rewatchables
Podcast
Explores: nostalgia, cult classics, film criticism.
For those who cannot stop thinking about the stylistic choices in The Untouchables, this show offers a deep dive into the rewatchable qualities that make classic cinema endure.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Untouchables movie related to the 1959 television series?
Both the 1987 film directed by Brian De Palma and the 1959 television series share the title The Untouchables. While they originate from the same source material regarding Elliot Ness and his efforts to take down Al Capone, they are distinct adaptations produced in different decades.
Does The Untouchables movie tell the story of Elliot Ness?
Yes, the 1987 film The Untouchables focuses on the ambitious prohibition agent Elliot Ness. The plot follows his determination to take down Al Capone by forming a specialized group of law enforcement officers who are given the nickname The Untouchables.
What is the main goal of the group in The Untouchables?
In the 1987 movie The Untouchables, the primary goal of the group formed by Elliot Ness is to successfully take down the notorious crime boss Al Capone. The film depicts their efforts to dismantle his operations during the prohibition era.
Should I watch the 1959 series if I enjoyed The Untouchables movie?
If you enjoyed the 1987 film The Untouchables, watching the 1959 television series provides an opportunity to see a different adaptation of the same historical narrative. Both versions center on the conflict between Elliot Ness and Al Capone during the prohibition period.