Public Enemies (1996) (V)

Director:

Mark L. Lester

Writer:

C. Courtney Joyner (writer)

Release Date:

June 1997 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller | Crime

Plot:

Glorified and glamourized fact-based tale of Ma Barker and her boys who robbed banks and generally terrorized...

Plot Keywords:

Bank | Docudrama | Neck Breaking Scene | Drunkard | Nudity

Cast

Leah Best	...	Young Kate Clarke
Chip Heller	...	Mr. Clarke
Theresa Russell	...	Kate 'Ma' Barker
Richard Eden	...	George Barker
Tom Ward	...	Paymaster
Brent O'Plotnik	...	Herman Barker at 11 years
Trevor Meeks	...	Lloyd Barker at 10 years
Joseph Lindsey	...	Herman Barker
Joe Dain	...	Lloyd Barker (as Joseph Dain)
James Marsden	...	Doc Barker
Gavin Harrison	...	Freddie Barker
Terry D. Seago	...	Tall Sheriff
Brian Peck	...	J. Edgar Hoover
Dan Cortese	...	Melvin Purvis
Grant Cramer	...	Sam Cowley

Also Known As:

Public Enemy #1
Public Enemy No. 1 (USA) (TV title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, some sex scenes, drug use and language.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:MA | Germany:18 (video premiere) | Spain:13 | UK:15 (video premiere) | USA:R | Spain:18

Filming Locations:

Guthrie, Oklahoma, USA

Company:

American World Pictures (AWP)

Trivia:

Kathy Bates was originally cast in Theresa Russell's role.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The final shootout between Ma Barker and Melvin Purvis is captioned to have occurred in Lake "Wier" when in fact the location is near Lake Weir.

Quotes:

Kate "Ma" Barker: You said, "Dead by Christmas." Is that the kind of chance you're talking about?
Melvin Purvis: You can't believe everything you read in the papers. I'm the F.B.I., not a bounty hunter.
Herman Barker: No difference.

Jaw Droppingly Awful

Some people may remember Ms. Russell from films such as "Black Widow", which had some appeal and critical acclaim. Boy, she must have really needed a rent check when she signed on to do this dog.

Yes, there will be those who like the gratuitous violence and nudity. But one must sit back and wonder, in retrospect, what possessed anyone to spend money and time to make this in the first place. I just saw this movie on one of the "HBO's", and I can't believe they picked it up.

In 1996 Ms. Russel didn't have the physical attractiveness she did earlier in her career. But, come on! Having her play Ma Barker??? Her "sons" all look like they could be her brothers. It's also creepy in that you think there are going to be incestuous relationships occurring (thank goodness there aren't, hope that doesn't count as a spoiler). With Eric Roberts and Alyssa Milano added into the cast, this one is B-movie 'straight to video' all the way.

The scenes between Purvis and Ma Barker, either in person or on the phone, are a primer in terrible, terrible acting. Oh, wait, I forgot terrible, terrible writing as well. Chalk this one up to experience. A bad experience.