Wizard-8
A previous poster in these user comments stated that the events in this movie do not match what happened in real life. I have no doubt that was true, especially considering that the movie was written and directed by schlockmeister Menahem Golan during a severe decline in his career. It's not as bad as some of his other movies - there is some merit. It's never boring despite running almost two hours, the level of acting is okay for the most part, and the budget allowed for ample extras as well as period costumes and vehicles. However, there are definitely areas where the movie is lacking. The Russian locations replicating old time New York City don't look quite right despite their age, and the interiors are poorly lit - maybe in an attempt to hide their equally unconvincing look. The biggest problem the movie has is that we never get in the head of Dutch Schultz. What he's thinking, and why he turned to a life of crime are some questions that are never answered. Not an awful movie, but it's unlikely to be worth your time tracking it down.
rjsman45
"Dutch Schultz", AKA Arthur Fleggenheimer, was a real person and his rather nasty life is fairly well documented. This movie which purports to depict his life should have used a fictional character, because the overdramatized events are too strong a departure from the facts and the chronology. Not only that, it ignores some interesting details which other versions have included such as the public relations fiasco in upstate N.Y. and his religious conversion. It is true that he was executed by Luciano, Lansky, et. al. but that's as far as it goes. The exploding plate scene which represents Luciano carrying out the execution of Bo Weinberg in his own home, assisted by his own mother is rediculous. Also, there is the scene in which Dutch approaches his own mother to pay protection to Legs Diamond. It just doesn't work. The character of Mrs. Fleggenheimer doesn't work either. This movie does not need a doting Jewish mother for comic relief. The lame representation of Legs Diamond was humorous enough. I'm sure the man is turning in his grave. And, by the way, Dutch did in fact personally kill people, but, he was not Rambo or 007. The scene in which he wipes out the brewery is absurd. I don't know. Maybe it was supposed to be a comedy and I just didn't get it.
bctxcoll
I watched this movie three years ago, and it was spectacular. Bruce Nozick who played Dutch Schultz, was great. He had a vain, and sarcastic attitude, which cracked me up. And that was what Dutch Schultz was like. The violence was real, like the Mafia was. This a must see movie
Watson-3
Guns, explotions, boobs, foul language, crappy dialog. It's typical B filmmaking, with an unusally good score. This was shot back to back with Killer Instinct, aka Mad Dog Coll, using a lot of the same cast, same set, but Killer Instinct is much better. It has it's moments... again Chris Bradley is good, as is Ed Bowz, and Sally Kirkland, but the film is not gripping. And Bruce Nozick begins to grate on the viewers nerves in this picture.
AD
