The Capone Investment (1974)

The Capone Investment Poster

Abridged movie version of the 1974 British TV series concerning the whereabouts of Al Capone's illegal gains, garnered during the Prohibition era.

Film Background
"The Capone Investment" is a timeless British criminal offense thriller from 1974, directed by Peter Graham Scott and composed by Ian Kennedy Martin. The movie's plot used the unsolved mystery surrounding the hidden treasures of the infamous Chicago mob manager Al Capone. The six-part television mini-series featured stars including John Thaw, Peter Sallis, and Glyn Owen to name a few, whose characters were taken part in a deadly look for the surprise fortune.

Plot Overview
The storyline of "The Capone Investment" centres around a reported lost hoard valued at two million pounds that belonged to Al Capone, the well-known 1920s American gangster. The cash is reported to have been sent out to England prior to Capone's conviction for earnings tax evasion and hidden. However, nobody knew of its whereabouts.

The plot thickens as 3 of Al Capone's former cronies, all of them now old and nearing the end of their lives, make a move to declare the hidden treasure. They had key info on the money's location, provided to them by one of their passing away comrades. The information was coded, and the trick to breaking this code was carved onto a totem pole.

In the UK, the three ex-gangsters' activities draw in the attention of investigators Alan Bruton (John Thaw) and Hackett (Glyn Owen). The duo are not initially familiar with the presence of the American gangsters and their search for Capone's hoard, but they slowly piece together the secret as they come across different murders and decoys.

Main Characters and Performance
John Thaw delivers a stellar performance as Bruton, a grounded, gritty investigator designated to solve the secret. His chemistry with Glyn Owen, who is likewise in top form as Hackett, his more conventional, procedural partner, is one of the piece de resistances of this vintage piece.

When it comes to the villains, the "American" gangsters portrayed by Peter Sallis, Barry Morse, and Alfie Bass produce an intriguing dynamic. Morse's character, Klenk, is the most menacing, while Bass's Joe Speigal imparts a chilling psychotic quality. Peter Sallis, on the other hand, plays a suppressed, melancholic Thompson.

Climax and Ending
The climax develops as the race for the treasure magnifies, resulting in several individual conflicts, treacheries, and eventually, death. The gangsters' endeavours result in a final, violent showdown that concludes the mini-series on a high note. Nevertheless, it is the detectives who solve the coded message and lastly find the real treasure.

"The Capone Investment" ends with a twist that shows the frequently grim and dark humor of British police procedural. The genuine financial investment of Capone is revealed not to be the cash, however the building in which it was concealed, which has, with time, become tremendously more valuable.

Final Thoughts
"The Capone Investment" is a fascinating saga that blends elements from the revered genre of investigator dramas with the secret surrounding a historical figure. The stark contrast in between the British investigators with their peaceful determination and the American gangsters with their ruthless pursuit, makes the seeing experience interesting. The surprise ending strengthens the credibility of Capone as a shrewd and cunning gangster, whose impact continues to stick around long after his death.

Top Cast

  • Peter Sallis (small)
    Peter Sallis
    Wheatfield
  • John Thaw (small)
    John Thaw
    Tom
  • Roland Curram (small)
    Roland Curram
    Bunty
  • Isobel Black (small)
    Isobel Black
    Fran
  • Glyn Owen (small)
    Glyn Owen
    Reaygo
  • Jill Dixon (small)
    Jill Dixon
    Abigail