Overview
A gripping tale of friendship and moral conflict set against the backdrop of crime and redemption.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- grim
- melodramatic
- tense
- classic movie night
- crime film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a powerful and thrilling gangster melodrama elevated by James Cagney’s explosive performance and the Cagney–Pat O’Brien partnership.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Rocky’s final favor for Jerry is tied to preventing neighborhood boys from following his criminal example.
Jerry serves as a Catholic priest while trying to counter Rocky’s influence over local youths.
Rocky becomes admired by the neighborhood’s dead end kids, creating the central danger Jerry seeks to prevent.
The film’s black and white Warner Bros. presentation supports its gangster setting and severe moral contrasts.
Films like Angels with Dirty Faces, and why
The Public Enemy
shared prewar gangster melodrama, charismatic criminal protagonist, moral conflict, and tragic atmosphere
The Roaring Twenties
shared black and white crime drama, organized crime, Catholic moral perspective, and doomed gangster narrative
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang
shared prison-centered crime story, redemption themes, and emotionally intense social melodrama
Little Caesar
shared Warner Bros. gangster style, criminal ambition, and grim moral consequences
Movie Details
- Director
- Michael Curtiz
- Release Date
- 1938-11-26
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (369)
Cast
- James Cagney
- Pat O'Brien
- Humphrey Bogart
- Ann Sheridan
- George Bancroft
- Billy Halop
- Bobby Jordan
- Leo Gorcey
- Gabriel Dell
- Huntz Hall
Common questions
- What is Angels with Dirty Faces about?
- A charismatic gangster confronts the moral cost of his influence when his priestly childhood friend asks him to save a generation of street kids.
- What is Angels with Dirty Faces like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Angels with Dirty Faces as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Angels with Dirty Faces violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Angels with Dirty Faces as moderate.
- What did critics think of Angels with Dirty Faces?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a powerful and thrilling gangster melodrama elevated by James Cagney’s explosive performance and the Cagney–Pat O’Brien partnership.
- Which films are like Angels with Dirty Faces?
- Films with a similar feel include The Public Enemy, The Roaring Twenties, I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang, and Little Caesar.
- How long is Angels with Dirty Faces?
- Angels with Dirty Faces runs 97 minutes.
