In 1933, in the fourth year of the Great depression, the bank robber John Dillinger challenges the law with his gang and is considered Public Enemy #1. J. Edgar Hoover assigns Agent Melvin Purvis responsible for Chicago area. Hoover orders the use of abusive means of interrogation and the agents use torture, intimidation and blackmail to achieve their purpose. Meanwhile Dillinger falls in love for Billie Frechette and Melvin and his men stakes her out trying to catch the outlaw.
