Angels with Dirty Faces
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Angels with Dirty Faces

1938
Drama, Crime
1h 37m
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Avg Percentile 67.56% from 717 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(717)
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Rated 02 Sep 2008
76
76th
Whaddya know, whaddya say?
Rated 06 Apr 2011
9
93rd
Rocky Sullivan is such an awesome character that is elevated by a great performance by James Cagney. Confident, cool, talks like a machine gun, really good stuff. It's even got a good message. It's weird seeing Humphrey Bogart playing a huge pussy but if you can get past that this is a really solid, entertaining and enjoyable movie from beginning to end, except for that stupid basketball scene. I also love the title of this film.
Rated 02 Aug 2014
80
75th
As didactic as the film gets near the end, James Cagney performs inimitably and O'Brien brings a quiet brilliance. Curtiz had a genius eye for composition and silhouette.
Rated 17 Jan 2007
63
22nd
Cagney is growing on me, or perhaps this is just one of his better performances. The story here is utterly predictable, and the "Dead End Kids" are painfully irritating. But there are some pretty good scenes.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
92
97th
The end is stunning!
Rated 04 Oct 2008
76
64th
It's got a really good story that's probably the largest saving grace for me. Bogart was quite impressive and, although I'll admit I'm not a big Cagney fan, he was impressive in this. My biggest complaint has to be almost every scene with the "Dead End Kids." They just felt like some slum city Lost Boys who managed to be as annoying as possible.
Rated 12 Oct 2008
90
82nd
One of the only movies that really turned the "Hays code" to it's advantage. Things like the ending (which had to happen by Hays code), really make the movie the classic it is.
Rated 20 Mar 2009
80
66th
One of Jimmy Cagney's most electrified performances. It also has a good storyline that stands out from Cagney's other gangster movies - except for the ending which I really disliked. However, I won't ruin it for those who haven't seen it.
Rated 17 Nov 2009
61
62nd
I guess I'm not a big fan of pre-40's gangster movies. Bad pacing and preaching story persist in each and every of those films. But I watch and enjoy those films anyway. And the main reason why, is great acting. In this case by Cagney. Story flow is bad, but it ends with a few very powerful scenes.
Rated 01 Feb 2010
85
66th
Corny, but it works--because of great performances and Curtiz' fine direction. Cagney's death scene is incredibly moving.
Rated 30 May 2010
90
91st
A terribly underrated classic. Cagney delivers one of his best performances, and Bogart is equally on form. A great plot, with fairly solid direction and editting, a lovely, classic score and an absolutely astonishing ending make this one of my favourite gangster movies. It has to be said, however, that The Dead End Kids are pretty annoying and bring the film down a notch. Forgive them, and you'll love this.
Rated 10 Oct 2010
60
40th
enjoyed seeing the implications of the gangster in society; many movies have a tendency to tell the gangster's societal ramifications without showing. but the film grossly underused bogart, and skipping through most of the priest's campaign to bring down cagney's character was a questionable decision. still a solid work, especially the ending.
Rated 06 Mar 2011
80
86th
The pacing makes for an entertaining watch and the ending is great. My favorite Cagney crime classic.
Rated 11 Jul 2011
80
76th
I really liked the friendship aspect of this film, and Pat O'Brien's character of Father Connolly was a nice contrast to Rocky's tough criminal guise. I dunno, I just thought their mutual respect for one another was pretty cool. As an aside, I really enjoyed watching Cagney slap around a bunch of punk kids.
Rated 06 Dec 2011
79
77th
A typical Cagney-style gangster flick that gains more depth with that whole 'youngsters influenced by the older generation' angle. The kids are somewhat annoying, but Cagney, O'Brien and Bogart compensate nicely. The ending is excellent.
Rated 31 Jan 2012
92
89th
Not a traditional crime movie. Angels with Dirty Faces rather reminds a tragic play. It is bouncing between evil and good, as recklessly as a child would play with a weapon. Its script is an amazing piece of art, as well, as directing. The end of the movie brings its viewers a catharsis with a turning to the light for the guys from Hell's Kitchen.
Rated 04 Oct 2017
80
77th
Cagney is cagney and i bet hed seem one note watching his films back to back but taking them in moderation he's awesome and fresh and moves a movie right along. The kids aren't great actors but having the call to arms against cagney being motivated by breaking their hero worship of a crook is good, has oomph! Obrien is passionate and i love his characters awareness of how close he was to being a crook (killer last line about it). Has an ahead of its time energy in the shootout scene
Rated 01 Mar 2007
70
82nd
Cagney classic.
Rated 26 Mar 2007
90
86th
The Dead End Kids stop by to visit Cagney on their way to becoming the Bowery Boys. More seriously, this is a very good crime picture, with Cagney dominating the entire movie as usual
Rated 14 Aug 2007
78
72nd
Especially noteworthy for the final scenes.
Rated 03 Mar 2008
88
36th
I really dislike the ending, but the rest of the film I like!
Rated 07 Apr 2008
86
84th
Angels with Dirty Faces is a classic picture that is certainly underated. It is quite different from the usual crime film, but we all know and instantly recognize the story once it begin's to play out. But for 1938, i thought this picture was way ahead of its time. Cagney dominates the screen, this is my first Cagney film and I got a good first impression. Bogie's small role was disappointing, but he handled it with excellence.
Rated 04 Oct 2008
64
20th
When I really hate a character, I know the movie must have done something quite impressive.
Rated 28 Nov 2008
76
79th
Father Connolly is simply a bastard! I really -hated- him. He says, ''I would die for Rocky!'' and then he sneaks him. Rocky gives him money, murders to protect him though... At the end he selfishly (yeah, this is so stupid. I mean it really doesn't matter whether he is coward or not. His cowardice can't save the world!) asks Rocky to act like a coward.
Rated 24 Dec 2008
76
49th
Not bad. The Dead End kids annoy me.
Rated 13 Jan 2009
92
83rd
Angels with Dirty Faces is certainly underrated. It's noteworthy for the variety Bogart and Cagney put into there performances, and it strings together quite well. However, The Dead End Kids are irritating.
Rated 03 Mar 2009
85
45th
Bogart and Cagney.
Rated 09 May 2009
70
54th
Decent movie.
Rated 10 Jul 2009
80
90th
Nice Movie
Rated 04 Aug 2009
80
70th
One of the best classic gangster films out there, and perhaps my favorite Cagney performance.
Rated 27 Jun 2010
91
94th
The movie can be a bit simple minded, but it's nonetheless an emotional and engrossing look at the gangster life. James Cagney is just so fun to watch, and Michael Curtiz's direction is filled with little touches that strengthen mood and symbolize theme. He really was one of the most versatile directors working in Hollywood.
Rated 31 Jul 2010
87
87th
Really fun gangster picture with a well integrated message.
Rated 21 Sep 2010
70
36th
i enjoyed it very much
Rated 14 Jul 2011
77
80th
James Cagney dominates this film with his on screen presence and his performance is the highlight of this marvelous gangster picture.I really liked that they gave his character some depth by by showing his background and showed how two people raised in the same environment can follow completely different paths in life.It was nice to see Humphrey Bogart play a heel and he does a pretty good job of it.
Rated 02 Sep 2011
80
81st
Cagney's most beautiful death.
Rated 21 Dec 2011
89
95th
James Cagey gives another outstanding performance in this classic film. The ending is truly amazing. The supporting cast also does a great job. This is a must see for all Cagney fans!
Rated 22 Feb 2012
90
88th
I actually discovered this while re-watching Home Alone when they spoofed this film by creating their own gangster film "Angels with Filthy Souls"! Funny how things work out. Cagney is brilliant here and makes up for the Dead End Kids, who are all very inconsistent at best.
Rated 23 Feb 2012
75
83rd
This is Michael Curtiz's best film. Did you hear me? HIS BEST FILM.
Rated 11 Jul 2012
75
62nd
This is a real "ham and cheese toastie" of a movie ... really hammy "straight from the stage" acting, and seriously cheesy dialogue ... but nevertheless, its a pretty good end product and the story is worthwile. I love movies with twirling newspaper headlines !! As others have said, the kids are really annoying, as is the santimonious pious message of the film, but you have to admire Bogart and Cagney, whose screen presence simply shines out, and turns an "OK" film into something a bit special
Rated 02 Sep 2012
50
29th
The censors knew that a lot of young testosterone went to Cagney pictures to have a good time. And so, as a concession to mortal caution, the pictures often employed an ideia of two pals, or brothers even, one who went straight and the other directly to hell. This picture is the epitome of this plan. The inner meaning is so comic and so unabashed that this is one of Hollywood's great lessons about its own power of fantasy - as well as an inadvertent comedy. Curtiz directs with terrific panache.
Rated 04 Jul 2013
41
56th
Going by memory.
Rated 17 Apr 2014
90
99th
James Cagney gets his legacy sealed as the gangster king of American cinema! They have Pat O'Brien in one of his most memorable roles portraying the priest in the center of whats right while his childhood pal James Cagney is the cool guy on the wrong side of the law. And it creates a excellent blend of good and bad which carried this film to classic material. Cagney shines when he's being evil! And the story all leads to the climax end which hits the nerve perfectly!
Rated 24 Feb 2016
15
81st
Star Rating: ★★★★
Rated 02 Nov 2017
60
44th
Standard 1930's crime film: neither fascinating nor particularly original and a bit too preachy on top of it but not without its charms. The cast is good, there's a handful of strong scenes and I really liked the ambiguity of the finale.
Rated 01 Feb 2018
80
62nd
...if you are only going to see 1 classic gangster film, make it this one. It has all the stars and a rock-solid script.
Rated 20 Jul 2018
83
83rd
I wish people still spoke like that, see.
Rated 04 Nov 2018
80
58th
The didacticism is tough to deal with, but Cagney is really quite good here, bringing a sense of pathos to his tough guy character. Curtiz has a nice eye--the pool hall scene being a standout, along with the haze and shadows of the climax.
Rated 10 Mar 2019
90
77th
89.50
Rated 24 Mar 2019
85
80th
Just as a personal thing I am sad that we didn't get to see more Bogart, but it's still a great movie. Cagney was awesome, and the plot was always interesting and well told, with snappy dialogue and enough turns to keep things intriguing. Thought that the final bit was exceptionally well done; even though I really felt nothing for Rocky, I felt something then. Along with that, the favour that the priest asked added some depth to the death.
Rated 07 Sep 2022
42
23rd
It has its charms, striking cinematography at times, and Cagney is good. Some scenes are just very awkward (what's with the basketball scene, and who shoots a gun like that?), the kid gang is annoying, and the pacing is pretty bad sometimes. I can see why some say it's a classic, and it's certainly ahead of its time, but I can't recommend it unless you are on a journey through cinema history.
Rated 12 Sep 2023
90
88th
Michael Curtiz had a phenomenal 1938, directing both this and "The Adventures of Robin Hood". There's a montage near the beginning of the film that is a truly epic lesson on how to tell story in a fiercely economic fashion.
Rated 25 Nov 2023
75
57th
This doesn't hold up quite as well as some of Cagney's other classic gangster pictures, but it's a good movie with a fine Cagney performance. The ending is great, as are the dueling crane shots on the same street in different periods. O'Brien and the Dead End Kids are weak points, though with O'Brien it might more be the dialogue he has to read being a bit cheesy and tough to pull off. The basketball game is (maybe unintentionally) hilarious. Pretty good stuff.

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