The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre 1967
Directed by
Ken Scott
Made by
Los Altos Productions
The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
In the Roaring Twenties, Chicago becomes a battlefield of organized crime as two mighty gangs clash for control. The Southside Gang, led by the infamous Al Capone, pushes back against George “Bugs” Moran and his North Side outfit, both aiming to dominate bootlegging, gambling, and the protection racket that fuels their power. Moran’s inner circle includes Peter Gusenberg and the ruthless [Frank Gusenberg], who pressure speakeasy owners into doing business with them. The dynamics of loyalty and money put strain on Moran’s camp, especially as his moll Myrtle becomes entangled in the web of extravagant spending that sparks tension within Peter’s ranks.
The feud deepens with a deadly history of revenge. Capone remembers Hymie Weiss’s bid to kill him, a memory that unfolds in flashbacks of the September 1926 lunchtime ambush at Cicero and the earlier elimination of North Side leader Dean O’Banion in 1924, followed by Weiss’s own demise in 1926. These past strikes feed the present cunning as Capone’s men recalibrate their strategy. Moran, in turn, schemes with low-level mafiosi like Joe Aiello to remove Patsy Lolordo, a close Capone ally who represents Sicilian interests in Chicago, hoping to replace him with a more Moran-friendly envoy. Patsy Lolordo is targeted, his bodyguards compromised, and he is murdered in his apartment, sending a sharp message through both gangs. Capone responds by personally hunting down Aiello, who is killed while fleeing the state.
The playing field shifts as McGurn’s plan edges toward action. With Moran’s men growing bolder, Capone retreats to his winter home in Miami to maintain an alibi and keep the gang war from igniting into outright chaos. On a February morning in 1929, Capone’s outfit stages a brazen assault: four henchmen dressed as police officers raid Moran’s northside garage, while two more storm in armed with Tommy guns. The hit wipes out five of Moran’s men, using shotguns to erase any survivors, and two bystanders—Johnny May and Reinhard Schwimmer—are killed in the crossfire. Moran, not present at the garage, slips away to a diner, sensing the danger too late for a direct confrontation.
“Only Capone kills like that,” Moran remarks in a hospital press conference, a jolt of public accusation that echoes the chaos unfolding back in Chicago as Capone, also in the press, dismisses Moran’s claims of wit and strategy.
The fallout echoes beyond the garage. Capone’s men move to quell the betrayal within their ranks, targeting John Scalise and Albert Anselmi for their alleged plans to defy him. Moran is driven out of Chicago in the years that follow, eventually dying of lung cancer while in Leavenworth, his legend sheltering behind a wall of silence. Capone, after a prison stint on Alcatraz, passes away from complications of syphilis. In the end, no one is ever brought to formal justice for the murders that sparked the war; the killers simply fade away or vanish, leaving a city with a memory of a night when whole blocks trembled under the weight of gang ambition.
A sprawling, violent tableau of loyalty, betrayal, and power, the story threads together a web of personal feuds, political entanglements, and brutal hitwork that reshaped Chicago’s underworld. From the initial spark of rivalries to the cold calculus of assassinations and counter-moves, the era’s brutality is laid bare, with scenes that linger in the mind—whether through the memory of the Hawthorne Hotel confrontation in Capone’s past, the chilling precision of the garage assault, or the quiet tragedy of Moran’s final years behind bars. The film never-shy from harsh consequences, it keeps the focus tight on the characters who drove the blood-soaked feud and the myths that grew around their ruthless, relentless pursuit of absolute control.
The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Escalating gang war between Capone and Moran
The Roaring Twenties Chicago underworld erupts into a violent struggle over bootlegging, gambling, and protection money. Capone’s Southside Gang and Moran’s North Side Gang battle for control, spreading intimidation and violence across speakeasies and illicit operations.
Moran's enforcers threaten speakeasies
Moran’s lieutenants, Peter and Frank Gusenberg, use threats and intimidation to force owners to do business with Moran’s faction in exchange for 'protection'. The tactic expands Moran’s reach while sowing fear among rival crews and owners alike. Myrtle, Peter’s moll, becomes entangled in disputes over lavish spending.
Failed assassination of Capone's hitman McGurn
An attempt on Jack McGurn, Capone’s key enforcer, fails, underscoring the perilous balance of power in Chicago. The botched hit signals that both sides are willing to escalate violence to break the deadlock. The violence intensifies as plans to target Moran take shape.
Flashback: O'Banion and Weiss killings
The film recalls Capone's past eliminations as Moran reminds his men of Capone’s long reach, specifically O’Banion’s killing in November 1924 and Weiss’s murder in October 1926. These memories frame the feud as a long history of violent turnover. The flashbacks heighten the stakes of the present confrontation.
Flashback: Hawthorne Hotel lunch attack
In a lunchtime ambush at Cicero's Hawthorne Hotel, Hymie Weiss and Moran attempt to strike, leaving Capone to reckon with the fragility of his security. The attack is remembered in Capone’s later discussions as a pivotal close call. It demonstrates how quickly violence could erupt over a simple meal.
Capone orders McGurn to eliminate Moran
Capone explicitly assigns Jack McGurn to eliminate Moran, signaling a decisive shift in the strategy of the Chicago mob war. He shows ruthless pragmatism, indifferent to whether Moran’s lieutenants also fall in the crossfire. The decision sets the stage for a high-stakes confrontation.
Moran plots Lolordo's removal, Aiello enters
Moran plans to replace Patsy Lolordo with an envoy more sympathetic to his cause, enlisting Joe Aiello to carry out the hit. The internal politics of the North Side deepen tensions as alliances shift ahead of the next strike. The stage is set for a deadly internal purge.
Lolordo is murdered in his apartment
Lolordo is gunned down in his own apartment after his guards are corrupted, catching Moran’s faction off guard. The killing demonstrates how betrayals and compromised security can quickly destabilize leadership. Moran’s control begins to fracture as the power struggle intensifies.
Aiello killed while fleeing on a train
Capone’s men locate Aiello and personally execute him as he tries to flee the state aboard a train. The hit removes a dangerous rival who could challenge Moran’s plans. The method underscores Capone’s hands-on approach to consolidating power.
Capone retreats to Miami to establish an alibi
To distance himself from the violent events, Capone withdraws to his winter home in Miami and prepares a public alibi. The retreat buys him time while the Chicago war continues without his direct presence. The move demonstrates strategic use of geography to influence public perception.
February 14, 1929: Northside garage massacre
Two Capone henchmen dressed as police raid Moran’s Northside garage, while two more enter with Tommy guns to eliminate Moran’s men. Five members of Moran’s gang are killed, along with two nearby civilians, as Moran survives by ducking into a diner. The onslaught marks a brutal turning point in the war.
Aftermath: Capone’s retaliatory purge
Capone personally dispatches John Scalise and Albert Anselmi after learning of their betrayal and plans to kill him. The act serves to purge the shows of loyalty to Moran while consolidating Capone’s control. The violence demonstrates the brutal calculus by which power is maintained.
Moran exiled from Chicago
Ultimately Moran is forced out of Chicago by Capone’s domination, forced to flee and carry on from outside the city. Years later, he dies of lung cancer in Leavenworth Prison. The feud effectively ends with Moran’s removal from the city he once controlled.
Capone dies after release; no charges filed
Capone is released after serving a prison term and later dies of syphilis, ending his infamous era. No one is ever charged for the mass murders, as the perpetrators vanish or are killed in retaliation or in hiding. The cycle of violence fades from public life, though the memory of the feud lingers.
The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Characters
Explore all characters from The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Al Capone (Jason Robards)
Capone is the ruthless South Side boss who resists Moran’s challenge and orchestrates brutal measures to consolidate power. His strategic patience, coupled with a readiness to act, makes him a central architect of the killings. He retreats to a winter home in Miami to establish an alibi while the hunt continues, showing two faces of leadership: calculated violence and public image.
George 'Bugs' Moran (Ralph Meeker)
Moran leads the North Side gang and pursues control over bootlegging and gambling. He uses threats to coerce businesses and relies on a network of lieutenants to enforce his will. Although he survives the Valentine’s Day assault by not being at the scene, his posture is that of a wary strategist under pressure.
Peter Gusenberg (George Segal)
Gusenberg is Moran’s lieutenant who helps orchestrate tactics to pressure rivals and enforce protection. His role in the plan to eliminate Patsy Lolordo highlights the brutal pragmatism and fragility of mob alliances.
Johnny May (Bruce Dern)
Johnny May is a civilian victim caught in the crossfire of the gang war. His death underscores how ordinary people become casualties of the mob’s war for control.
Reinhardt Schwimmer (Mickey Deems)
An optometrist who enjoys being around gangsters, Schwimmer becomes an unintended casualty in the violent feud. His presence in the underworld circles emphasizes how the line between crime and everyday life blurs during the era.
Jack McGurn (Clint Ritchie)
McGurn is Capone’s hitman, central to the elaborate plan to kill Moran’s men. The character embodies the era’s chilling impersonation of authority and the cold efficiency of organized crime.
The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Settings
Learn where and when The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
1920s
The events unfold in the late 1920s Chicago under Prohibition. The film uses flashbacks to past killings and rivals' feuds, culminating in the infamous 1929 massacre. The time frame emphasizes the brutal pace and public notoriety of gang warfare during this era.
Location
Chicago, Illinois, Cicero, Illinois, Miami, Florida
Set in Chicago during the Roaring Twenties, the story unfolds across the North and South Sides as rival gangs fight for control of bootlegging and gambling. The action moves through crowded speakeasies, mob-controlled businesses, and a notorious garage where a violent massacre takes place. The period's atmosphere is defined by Prohibition, organized crime, and power struggles that draw in criminals and civilians alike.
The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Themes
Discover the main themes in The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Power Struggle
Capone's ruthless leadership and willingness to use violence demonstrate how power is built in the mob world. Moran counters with tactical moves aimed at securing control over bootlegging and gambling alike. The film tracks how loyalty, fear, and strategic killings shape who rules the streets.
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Violence & Betrayal
The narrative centers on orchestrated assassinations, brazen police disguises, and the chilling ruthlessness of mob hitmen. The attack in the garage shows how quickly violence becomes a business with little personal consequence. Betrayals among allies escalate the war, forcing even loyal followers to pick sides.
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Media & Reputation
Public statements and press conferences frame the killings, shaping how the events are perceived. The characters exploit reputation and image to justify their actions or to elude law enforcement. The era's media environment heightens the sense that information is weaponized in a city-wide power struggle.
The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the fever‑dream world of Prohibition‑era Chicago, the city’s neon‑lit streets pulse with illegal liquor, jazz, and a fragile truce between shadowy syndicates. The film opens on a metropolis caught between the glitz of speakeasies and the gritty reality of street‑level power plays, where every handshake could hide a gun and every laugh could mask a threat. Warm sepia tones mingle with stark shadows, creating a visual rhythm that mirrors the restless energy of a city on the brink of bloodshed.
At the heart of this volatile tableau stands Al Capone, a charismatic yet ruthless figure whose ambition has turned the South Side into a de facto kingdom. His presence is felt as much in the whispered conversations of bar owners as in the polished offices where deals are sealed. Opposite him, Bugs Moran commands the North Side with equal determination, leading a tight‑knit crew that balances loyalty with the ever‑present danger of betrayal. Their rivalry, rooted in years of grudges and competing ambitions, fuels a tension that crackles like static over the city’s streets.
Surrounding the two titans is a cast of colorful, often conflicted characters—sharp‑witted lieutenants, ambitious molls, and uneasy allies—each navigating the treacherous currents of bootlegging, gambling, and protection rackets. The film’s tone shifts smoothly from gritty street‑level immediacy to moments of quiet introspection, allowing viewers to glimpse the personal stakes behind the public spectacles. Conversations are loaded with double meanings, and glances often speak louder than words, hinting at the unseen forces shaping each decision.
As winter deepens and the city’s underworld tightens its grip, an ominous sense of inevitability settles over Chicago. The audience is drawn into a world where power is measured in whispers and fear, and where the promise of a single, fateful evening looms large—suggesting that the fragile balance between rival factions may soon shatter, forever altering the city’s darkened skyline.
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