Connie's Warwick Davis Fanpage and Leprechaun Center

Al's Lads
aka Capone's Boys

Al's Lads aka Capone's Boys (US title)
Released in 2001 in the UK
Directed by Richard Standeven
Starring Marc Warren, Richard Roundtree, Julian Littman

I'm not a fan of gangster movies and this one had a low budget and a very limited distribution, so my expectations were very low when I sat down to watch it. I wanted to see what Warwick was doing in a ganster film, and all I was really hoping for was that it wouldn't be too awful to watch. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be an interesting and entertaining film that was well worth watching for its own sake.

The film follows the exploits of three young men from Liverpool who work on a luxury liner but jump ship in New York to seek their fame and fortune in America. The leader, Billy, is an aspiring boxer with an impressive screen presence. Following a tip, they head to Chicago where all three unwittingly end up working for Al Capone's gang. Naturally, trouble ensues.

The film sometimes dips into the nonsensical - why does Richard Roundtree look so relaxed and happy in his last scene, when he ought to be running for his life? But on the whole, the believability level is reasonable for a movie, and it has a nice mixture of suspense and adventure. The 1920s-style jazz is a real pleasure too.

Warwick has a minor role as Leo, a cold-hearted gangster who is ruthlessly efficient whether he's blowing away a friend or pulling off a kidnapping. He appears in three different scenes and is mentioned in three others. It's not clear whether he is an actual member of Capone's gang or is just acquainted with some of its members. The two Liverpool boys who meet Leo are clearly intimidated by him. But unfortunately, Leo has not chosen his associates wisely. We never find out exactly what happens to him, but Al Capone himself gives us a chilling hint.

Here is the movie's listing on IMDb.

The Pictures section includes some screen captures from the movie, and there are some audio clips in Sound Clips.