Underworld (1927)
Cult Classics
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Classics, History
Underworld (1927) is a landmark silent-era gangster film directed by Josef von Sternberg and produced by Paramount Pictures. Widely considered the blueprint for the modern crime drama, this visually stunning and narratively groundbreaking film tells the story of 'Bull' Weed, a notorious bootlegger whose rise and fall in the criminal underworld unfolds against the backdrop of Prohibition-era Chicago. When Bull rescues a down-and-out former lawyer known as "Rolls Royce," the two form a volatile bond complicated by betrayal, loyalty, and the growing affection of Bull’s moll, Feathers. With shadow-drenched cinematography and masterful direction, Underworld established the visual language of gangster cinema and won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Original Story. A must-watch for film historians and noir lovers alike, this Paramount Pictures classic set the stage for an entire genre.
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