Where to start withThe Untouchables
2 versions · originally a series, 1959
Themes: Good vs Evil, Corruption, Law Enforcement, Organized Crime, Justice.
Start with The Untouchables (Quinn Martin, 1959) — the series. The Untouchables exists in 2 versions across media, beginning as a series in 1959; each is ranked below by what it does best.
The Untouchables chronicles the high-stakes, violent crusade of Eliot Ness and his incorruptible squad against Al Capone’s Prohibition-era criminal empire.
✦ Most fans start here
The Untouchables (1959)
The original tv
✦ Start hereThe Untouchables
Quinn Martin · Series · 1959
The Untouchables (1959) offers a gritty, episodic procedural format that captures the relentless, long-form investigative tension of the federal battle against organized crime in 1930s Chicago.
1987 film
The Untouchables
Brian De Palma · Film · 1987
The Untouchables (1987) provides a stylized, cinematic reimagining of the conflict, focusing on the formation of Ness's elite team and their visceral, high-tension pursuit of Al Capone.
Common questions
Is The Untouchables 1987 a direct remake of The Untouchables 1959 TV series?
The 1987 movie The Untouchables is a feature film adaptation based on the same source material as the 1959 television series The Untouchables. Both projects focus on the historical efforts of federal agents to bring down organized crime figures during the prohibition era.
Should I watch The Untouchables 1959 before watching the 1987 film?
You do not need to watch the 1959 television series The Untouchables to understand the 1987 movie The Untouchables. While both share a title and thematic roots, they are separate productions that stand independently as distinct adaptations of the underlying historical narrative.
What is the difference between The Untouchables 1959 and The Untouchables 1987?
The primary difference is the format and production era. The Untouchables 1959 is a television series, while The Untouchables 1987 is a feature film. Both productions explore the same core subject matter but utilize different storytelling structures and visual styles appropriate for their respective mediums.
Is The Untouchables 1959 still considered the definitive version of the story?
Whether The Untouchables 1959 is the definitive version depends on viewer preference for television versus film. The 1959 series established the long-form narrative format for the franchise, while the 1987 movie The Untouchables provides a condensed, cinematic interpretation of the same historical events.