Movies About Prohibition

From Frank Darabont, starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt
Rated R

The Green Mile is a 1999 film directed by Frank Darabont based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. The film is set on death row in a Southern prison in 1935, and tells the story of Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks), the prison's head guard. Edgecomb's life is changed forever when John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a condemned man with an extraordinary gift, arrives on the mile. Coffey's miraculous healing and spiritual powers have a profound effect on Edgecomb and the other inmates. As Edgecomb's faith in Coffey grows, he struggles with the knowledge that his job is to execute the man and with his own faith in a higher power. The film follows Edgecomb and Coffey's journey of discovery and redemption.

From Robert Mulligan, starring Gregory Peck, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy
Rated Approved

To Kill a Mockingbird is a 1962 American drama film directed by Robert Mulligan. Based on Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, the film stars Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, who is unwaveringly dedicated to upholding justice and moral rectitude. The film follows the Finch children, who are forced to grapple with the evils of racism and injustice in the segregated south. When their father Atticus is hired to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, falsely accused of rape by a white woman, the Finch children learn firsthand how cruel the world can be and the true meaning of courage in the face of bigotry. The film features an acclaimed performance by Peck and a wonderful script from Horton Foote, and is widely considered one of the greatest films of all time.

From Sergio Leone, starring Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Treat Williams
Rated R

Once Upon a Time in America is an epic crime drama directed by Sergio Leone. It stars Robert De Niro, James Woods, and Elizabeth McGovern and is set in New York City during the 1920s. The film follows the life of a group of Jewish gangsters, led by the charismatic Noodles (De Niro), as they struggle to make a living in the mafia-controlled city. As they age, the group drifts apart until Noodles gets out of prison at the dawn of the 1980s. He spends the rest of the film attempting to reconcile with his old friends and make sense of his life as he comes to terms with the sins of his past. The film is a sweeping portrait of a time and place, exploring themes of crime, loyalty, morality, and the power of memory.

From Peter Bogdanovich, starring Ryan O'Neal, Tatum O'Neal, Madeline Kahn, John Hillerman
Rated PG

Paper Moon is a 1973 American comedy-drama film directed by Peter Bogdanovich, about a conman and a young girl who team up to swindle unsuspecting people in the American Midwest during the Great Depression. The film stars Ryan and Tatum O'Neal as the father-daughter duo, with Madeline Kahn and John Hillerman in supporting roles. The story follows Moses Pray, a con artist, who meets Addie Loggins, a nine-year-old girl, while selling bibles to rural Kansas families. Addie claims to be the daughter of Moses' recently deceased business partner, and Moses reluctantly agrees to take her in. After learning that Addie can help him with his scams, Moses and Addie form a partnership, traveling across the Midwest and swindling unsuspecting people. Along the way, Moses begins to care for Addie and the two form an unlikely father-daughter bond. However, their bond is tested when Moses discovers the truth about Addie's identity.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Craig Bierko, Paul Giamatti
Rated PG-13

Cinderella Man is a 2005 biographical drama film directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, and Paul Giamatti. The film tells the story of Depression-era boxer James J. Braddock, a once-successful boxer who had to give up his boxing career due to the financial hardship of the Great Depression. After his wife Mae begs him to return to boxing, Braddock makes a stunning comeback, rising from obscurity to become the heavyweight champion of the world. Braddock's story inspires many of his fellow Americans during one of the darkest moments in the country's history. Braddock struggles to provide for his family and to stay true to his moral code, despite the temptations of fame and fortune. Cinderella Man is a heart-warming story of courage and hope in the darkest of times.

From Sam Mendes, starring Tom Hanks, Tyler Hoechlin, Rob Maxey, Liam Aiken
Rated R

Road to Perdition is a 2002 American crime drama film directed by Sam Mendes. The film follows a mob enforcer and his son as they seek vengeance against a mobster who murdered the rest of their family. Set in 1931 during the Great Depression, the film stars Tom Hanks as Michael Sullivan, a hitman working for Irish mobster John Rooney. After his son, Michael Jr., witnesses Rooney's treacherous behavior, Sullivan is forced to take his son and flee. In their journey, they must battle against both Rooney's henchmen and the police. As Sullivan and his son struggle to survive, they come to understand the meaning of family, loyalty, and sacrifice.

From Arthur Penn, starring Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Pollard, Gene Hackman
Rated R

Bonnie and Clyde is a 1967 American biographical crime film directed by Arthur Penn and starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway as the title characters Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. The film follows the criminal couple as they rob banks across the country, aided by their gang of accomplices. Although their criminal activities gain them notoriety, their life on the run takes its toll; the couple become increasingly desperate and violent, and their relationship begins to disintegrate. Ultimately, their exploits come to a bloody end when they are ambushed and killed by police. The film was a critical and commercial success, and received multiple Academy Award nominations and wins, including Best Supporting Actress for Estelle Parsons.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney, John Turturro, Marcia Gay Harden
Rated R

Miller's Crossing is a neo-noir gangster film directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Set in the 1930s, the film follows the story of Tom Reagan (Gabriel Byrne), an advisor for an Irish mob boss, Leo (Albert Finney). When a rival boss, Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito) attempts to take over Leo's territory, Tom is caught in a treacherous game of betrayals, loyalties, and violence. Tom struggles to keep both sides of the conflict at bay, while trying to protect a young woman, Verna (Marcia Gay Harden), whom he has grown to love. As the situation spirals increasingly out of control, Tom must make difficult decisions in order to keep the peace and save his own life.

From Edward Zwick, starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Aidan Quinn, Julia Ormond
Rated R

Legends of the Fall follows the story of the Ludlow family in the early 20th century. The family consists of patriarch Colonel William Ludlow, his three sons, Alfred, Tristan, and Samuel, and the Colonel’s adopted daughter Isabel Two. After the death of Isabel Two’s mother, she is taken in by the family and loved by the brothers. The movie follows the brothers as they grow up and go off to war. Tristan is the wild one and is an expert in hunting and fighting. Alfred is the responsible one and is a doctor. Samuel is the youngest and is a banker. Tristan falls in love with a Native American woman Susannah and they marry. Tristan is then sent to fight in WWI and Alfred goes with him to help on the battlefield. Tristan goes missing in action and is presumed dead. Alfred later returns home and takes Tristan’s place in the family, marrying Susannah and attempting to raise her son who was fathered by Tristan. Tristan eventually returns and the movie follows the brothers as they come to terms with their individual lives and come together to help each other heal. The movie ends with the brothers at peace and all of them together in the family’s

From Steven Soderbergh, starring Jesse Bradford, Jeroen Krabbé, Lisa Eichhorn, Karen Allen
Rated PG-13

From John Hillcoat, starring Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce, Jason Clarke
Rated R

From Michael Mann, starring Christian Bale, Johnny Depp, Christian Stolte, Jason Clarke
Rated R

From Francis Lawrence, starring Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, Paul Schneider
Rated PG-13

From Alan Parker, starring Jodie Foster, Scott Baio, Florence Garland, John Cassisi
Rated G

From Ken Loach, starring Barry Ward, Francis Magee, Aileen Henry, Simone Kirby
Rated PG-13

From Clint Eastwood, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Josh Hamilton
Rated R

From Ben Affleck, starring Ben Affleck, Elle Fanning, Brendan Gleeson, Chris Messina
Rated R