The Untouchables

1987, Brian De Palma, USA, 120 min.

Selected and introduced by composer, performer, and producer Andrew Lippa

In this Prohibition-era thriller, Federal Agent Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) sets out to defeat crime boss Al Capone (Robert de Niro), who has the city of Chicago under his control. Against the backdrop of its Grammy Award-winning score and period music by Duke Ellington, Ness’s small team of agents try to take down the notorious mobster.

“Superb performances, exquisite direction, and that Ennio Morricone score create an authentic 1920s Chicago feel and a hugely entertaining crime drama.”

—Ian Nathan, Empire

Why did you select The Untouchables for the Cabaret Cinema: Soundtrack series?

“The Untouchables was released in 1987, right as I was finishing university and heading to live as—I hoped!—an artist in New York City. The energy of the film, the allure of its handsome new star (Kevin Costner in one of his first big roles), and the audacity of that music propelled me into my city life. Yes, New York City in the late ’80s wasn’t exactly Chicago in the 1920s, but considering I’d grown up in the suburbs of Detroit, a big city was a big city! The Untouchables said: ‘City! Danger! Teamwork! Rule of Law!’ It thrilled me then and still does.” —Andrew Lippa

About Cabaret Cinema: Soundtrack

You can probably name the best movie you’ve seen, but what about the best movie you’ve heard? It might be your favorite because of its sound effects, sound engineering, score, or another element of the audio experience. Watch—and hear—a series of films that caught the ear of notable New Yorkers.

About the introducer

Andrew Lippa’s hit song “Evil Like Me” appears in Disney’s animated movie Descendants. Written for Kristin Chenoweth, the soundtrack hit number one on the Billboard 200 album chart, number one on the iTunes and Billboard soundtrack charts, and has been viewed over 56 million times on YouTube. His Broadway credits include music and lyrics for Big Fish; Tony-nominated music and lyrics for The Addams Family; original music for Aaron Sorkin’s The Farnsworth Invention; additional music and lyrics and arrangements for You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (Grammy nominated). Other credits include: The Wild Party (book, music, lyrics); I Am Anne Hutchinson/I Am Harvey Milk (music and lyrics); The Man in the Ceiling (music and lyrics); John & Jen (music and lyrics); A Little Princess (music); and Asphalt Beach (music and lyrics).