Little Caesar UK Premium Collection Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital HD + Ltd Ed Art Cards Region Free

This really is a must for all fans of the Ganster film. Released in 1931, it launched the career of Edward G. Robinson and set the gold standard for any film in the genre that followed. Telling the story of Rico and his rise from lowly enforcer to crime lord, building a reputation for psychotic violence along the way, it is both a fascinating character study and a tense and exciting thriller. Edward G. Robinson is well cast as Rico, even though the character is about as far from his own personality as it was possible to get. Despite his diminutive stature he is menacing, managing to chill you to the marrow with just a scowl. He shows both the intelligent, cold calculating side and the unfettered violent side of the character with equal facility, and makes Rico a believable construct. As well as Robinson, there is a fine turn from Douglas Fairbanks Jr as his old friend who gets drawn into Rico's schemes and crimes, despite a desperate wish to go straight. It is a good performance that really shows the anguish of the character. This is a tightly directed thriller, fast paced and exciting (by the standards of the time). What really makes it is some well written, well delivered pacey and hardnosed dialogue. It is hard to believe that this was made in the earliest years of the talkies, when film makers were still working out how best to make use of the new medium. The DVD transfer is pretty good, especially for a film of this age. The sound is similarly in good condition. An all round excellent release for this excellent film. Recommended to all fans of hard boiled gangster films.

There are three movies that define the gangster film. "The Public Enemy" with James Cagney in 1931, "Scarface" with Paul Muni in 1932 and this movie "Little Caesar" with Edward G Robinson in 1931. This would have been a run of the mill gangster film if it wasn't for Edward G's standout performance. Edward G Robinson was nothing like the character he played. He was of Rumanian descent and was very cultured who collected art and who detested guns. He would go on to become one of the Hollywood greats of cinema. Bonus material includes a newsreel of an interview with the girlfriend of Legs Diamond who was just gunned down. Movie commentary by film historian Richard Jewell. A short featurette which looks like Spencer Tracy's first acting role and a cartoon. A Hollywood classic.

Rico Bandello quickly rises thru the gangster ranks, earning himself the nick-name of Little Caesar. As he sets his sights on the top boss job held by Pete Montana, Rico knows the heat is closing in, fast. Tho not the first gangster picture to hit the big screen, Little Caesar is undeniably one of the genres landmark pictures. Adapted from W.R. Burnett's {High Sierra} Al Capone inspired novel, Little Caesar would go on to influence many of the genre highlights that followed this piece. While in the process typecasting its star and icon, Edward G. Robinson. What is perhaps the first striking thing about viewing the film now is actually just how un-violent it is in context to what would follow it, but it never needs to be because this is not just about a violent rising. With the advent of sound proving to be a winner with depression jaded cinema goers, director Mervyn LeRoy exploits this by utilising the fact that it's set outside of prison walls. The gangster genre by and large up to this point in 1931 consisted of mob characters behind bars, the sight of Rico about town amongst the noisy hustle and bustle surely would have opened the eyes and ears of the paying public. I wasn't around back then so have no on the spot frame of reference, but the professional critics point to many allegories that reside within Little Caesar's structure. Talk of paranoia's and conformity's during economic collapse, which are for sure points of reference for those so inclined to analyse and dissect Caesar as a whole. But to me it's a gangster picture first and foremost, outlaying the rise and fall of a very dubious man with big ideals above his relatively small social standing. Rico has ruthless violence constantly itching to burst out, and definite hints of sexual ambiguity make him a worrying, yet most intriguing character. That it works so well obviously is down to Edward G. Robinson's portrayal, big bulging eyes and snappy slang phrases {this themselves must have really hit a chord with the viewers}, Robinson gives the performance that so many have imitated over the years, probably defining the archetype in the process. It does look a little dated now, but that is surely only natural? But it's a powerful film that rises above merely being a hoodlum piece. Producer Darryl Zanuck wanted something different for this burgeoning genre, and with the might of Warners revelling in the power of the talkie movie, they all crafted one hell of a picture that enthrals as much as it has influenced, things most definitely changed with Little Caesar. 8/10

This is the best of the classic WB gangster movies. I was put off by black and white films claiming "there are no good films made before 1980" I realise now what a foolish statement that was, and this is proof. Little Caesar is as gritty and thrilling as any of the modernt gangster classics. Speaking as a lad in his mid twenties, I haven't had much exposure to classics like this, but I urge people of a similar age who have even a slight interest in the genre to buy this film, you will not be disappointed, it's brilliant. Plus this is more violent than later WB gangster films, as there was some standards put in place during the mid 30s that meant gangster films had to be toned down a bit. It really is the best of the bunch.

Needs to be remastered, though perhaps that still won't say the film from being dated.

Little Caesar is a great film, the violence is mild but it depicts the rise and fall of a wannabe gangster excellent performance by Edward G Robinson, highly recommended.

I thought the film was great, enjoyed watching the movies from the beginning to the very end ! I think Edward G Robinson plays his gangster role brilliantly ! I would recommend this movie !!!!

5 stars just for being movie history. Some of the acting is somewhat strange but when you think, two years before all movies were silent.......