Among the Best Of Great Gangster Films I've watched all of Cagney's gangster films , and this one is the best. It delivers the best message, has the best acting and also benefits from the best cast assembled in any of Cagney's depression-era crime flicks. Rocky Sullivan's character is one that reverberates with us all, even the most hardened of criminals ( who aren't psychopathic) can relate to the ideas of regret and wishing you could so something good and atone for your misbehavior before leaving a world that was always rotten to you. Similarly, even a person who has led a life free of crime almost always wishes there was some way to atone for something they have done at a certain point in their life. Redemption is a concept that hits home with everyone. Bogart plays his part as the deceptive 'pal' perfectly and with his trademark style , but is out-shined in this movie by the sensitive Father Jerry Connolly( portrayed by Pat O'Brien) - Rocky's childhood friend, a man who is fighting for the hearts and minds of a group of teens; fighting with the allure of Rocky's tough, flashy, never-say-die lifestyle and image. Watch the brilliant camera work during the scene where Rocky is being led to his execution, the shadows, the grim, defiant expression on Cagney's face, and then, the most famous scene of all - a scene shown only in shadow. Its a fantastic end to a classic movie.