1920s Chicago; rival gangs led by Al Capone and George "Bugs" Moran are at war, fighting for control of the city. As the conflict escalates Capone orders an assassination attempt on Moran, hopping to settle the score once and for all. With the plan organised and the killers hired, the trap was set. On the morning of 14 February, 1929 gunmen dressed as police officers killed the key members of Bugs Moran's rival gang in a shower of bullets...

Based on the 1929 murder of mass murder of seven members of the Northside Gang, The St. Valentine's Day Massacre is a 1967 reworking of the events, directed by Roger Corman.

We start just before the fatal shots ring out, and then witness a woman run into the garage to witness the carnage. However, we the audience don't see anything. The rest of the movie is told in flashback as it leads up to the massacre.

The film uses a voice over technique to give more background information and make it feel as though what you're seeing is authentic - even though much information on what actually happened still remains a mystery.

It's interesting to note that the actors studied photos of the original massacre so as to know where to fall. The end result, on screen, is as authentic as could be achieved.

Jack Nicholson makes a brief appearance, although I have to admit that I didn't spot him, as an uncredited hitman and Bruce Dern plays Johnny May. Also, I could be wrong, but I'm sure Dick Miller starred as Adolph Muller. He's not mentioned in the credits, but Miller appeared in quite a few Roger Corman movies of this time period.

It's not the sort of movie I'd actually buy, but if it were on TV I'd sit and watch it.

The only extra is the movie's trailer.

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Darren Rea