the godfather trilogy and goodfellas owe a lot to this gangster film that precede them both by at least fifty year . the public enemy be perhaps one of the first mob film that follow the rise and fall of a gangster and show not only the implication of his action on himself but on his family as well . the film be far from perfect . the first ten minute of the film in which we be show a glimpse into the character childhood be jerky at best and feel a if much of it be leave on the cutting room floor . the movie incessant fast pace thereafter do not allow for much to sink in and but cagney save the day with an absolutely fiery performance . not one person be spar from his bubbling anger and ferocious delivery . finally and the end will leave you gasp even by today standard . the public enemy be a must see for any true fan of the mob movie genre .