Sean Connery's 10 Greatest Movie Performances

Brian De Palma’s prohibition era cops and criminals picture isn’t without its flaws - Robert DeNiro hams it up big time as Al Capone and Kevin Coster isn’t the most compelling anchor as Chicago fed Eliot Ness. It is lifted greatly, however, by a muscular spirited performance from Sean Connery as fictional veteran cop Jim Malone.

It’s another entry into Sean’s catalogue of slightly dodgy accents, but again, it hardly matters. As Ness’ confidant and colleague in bringing down the ruthless Capone, Connery is simmering and intense, a coiled spring of a man who has seen as much corruption in his city as he can possibly stomach.

Malone is given much of the scene’s best dialogue (typically chewy and macho words from the pen of David Mamet), particularly the famous “Chicago way” speech. He can sell the tough talk like few others - approaching his sixties here, there’s no way you’d mess with him.

Connery won a deserved Academy Award for his work here - a true scene stealing supporting turn. Indeed he’s so good that it’s almost to the film’s detriment - it’s nowhere near as interesting when he isn’t onscreen.