"The Public Enemy" is a 1931 American crime film directed by William A. Wellman. It stars James Cagney as Tom Powers, a young man who rises through the ranks of the criminal underworld during the Prohibition era. The film explores themes of crime, loyalty, and the consequences of a life of violence. The movie is notable for its realistic portrayal of gangsters and their impact on society. It was one of the first films to depict the harsh realities of organized crime, influencing the gangster genre in Hollywood. Its success helped establish Cagney as a leading actor in American cinema.