Micheal Mann passes as multi talented to most movie fans, as he seems just as much able to direct low budget psycho thrillers or typical Hollywood blockbusters. His filmography speaks for itself! In his latest feature, Public enemies, which is to be released in DVD and Blu-ray on December 8th, Heat’s director has settled for rough direction and hand-held filming, resulting in a very realistic show, close to documentary style. Though a little zip lacking from time to time, it is only fair to salute Johnny Depp’s talent for playing John Dillinger’s outlaw character to perfection.
This is the story of the last few years of the notorious bank robber John Dillinger. He loved what he did and could imagine little else that would make him happier. Living openly in 1930s Chicago, he had the run of the city with little fear of reprisals from the authorities. It’s there that he meets Billie Frechette with whom he falls deeply in love. In parallel we meet Melvin Purvis, the FBI agent who would eventually track Dillinger down. The FBI was is in its early days and Director J. Edgar Hoover was keen to promote the clean cut image that so dominated the organization through his lifetime. Purvis realizes that if he is going to get Dillinger, he will have to use street tactics and imports appropriate men with police training. Dillinger is eventually betrayed by an acquaintance who tells the authorities just where to find him on a given night.
Now let’s have a quick overview of the various available video editions. The basic one comes with a small feature called Larger than Life: Adversaries, as well as an audio comment. The special edition offers a making of and three documentaries concerning Dillinger’s life and the Blu-ray one will provide on top of that many interactive bonuses. Though fans might be a little disappointed no to find any other version of the movie (there has been rumours of a director’s cut existence), still the many extras should make up for it… at least while waiting for more??