Character Relationship Map: Al Capone

Characters

• Al Capone (played by Rod Steiger) — protagonist

  The central gangster of the story, Al Capone rises from a young recruit working for Johnny Torrio to the dominant racketeer in Chicago. He helps arrange Big Jim Colosimo's assassination, eliminates ri...

• Maureen Flannery (played by Fay Spain) — protagonist

  Maureen Flannery is the widow of one of Big Jim Colosimo's men and becomes the object of Al Capone's attention after Capone expands his power. Her association with him ends when she can no longer tole...

• Johnny Torrio (played by Nehemiah Persoff) — supporting

  Johnny Torrio is the mob boss who employs Al Capone when Capone arrives in Chicago. He initially controls the criminal organization with Big Jim Colosimo, then permits Colosimo's assassination and bec...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Al Capone → Maureen Flannery (Romantic Suitor) — Capone pursues Maureen while consolidating his power.

  The plot states that Capone makes a play for Maureen Flannery, the widow of one of the murdered crime leader's men.

• Johnny Torrio → Al Capone (Professional Employer) — Torrio initially employs Capone within his criminal organization.

  The plot states that young Al Capone arrives in Chicago to work for mob boss Johnny Torrio.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Johnny Torrio → Al Capone (related)

Story Analysis

The film traces Capone's rise through organized violence, his domination of Chicago, and his eventual collapse through law and imprisonment.

Plot Progression

1. A Newcomer Enters Chicago — Al Capone arrives in Chicago and begins working for Johnny Torrio. Prohibition transforms illegal liquor into the central source of criminal profit.
2. Murder Builds an Empire — Capone persuades Torrio to permit an assassination, allowing Torrio to become kingpin. Political change then forces the organization to move its base to Cicero.
3. The Succession of Violence — Capone eliminates rivals and pursues Maureen while Torrio is nearly killed. Torrio's retirement leaves Capone in control of the full rackets.
4. Power Meets Resistance — Capone expands extortion across Chicago as police pressure intensifies. A failed bribery attempt leads to Capone's temporary relocation to Florida.
5. The Empire Falls — Capone masterminds a massacre, discovers a betrayal, and loses Maureen's acceptance. Federal investigators ultimately imprison him for tax evasion, followed by his brutal humiliation at Alcatraz.