The FBI Story (1959): cast, story & where to watch
1959 · Film · ★ 6.1
Released in 1959, The FBI Story is a drama and crime film directed by Mervyn LeRoy, running about 149 minutes. “You are crouched in a basement stairway opposite a theatre in Chicago. Keep your eyes on that FBI man across the street. He has set the trap for deadly public enemy, John Dillinger...” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A dedicated FBI agent recalls the agency's battles against the Klan, organized crime and Communist spies.
Who’s in it. The FBI Story stars James Stewart as John Michael ('Chip') Hardesty, Vera Miles as Lucy Ann Hardesty, Murray Hamilton as Sam Crandall and Larry Pennell as George Crandall, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.1/10, The FBI Story has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel and HBO Max and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, YouTube and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The FBI Story page.
If you liked it. Fans of The FBI Story tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The FBI Story (1959)?
- In US, The FBI Story is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel and HBO Max, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and YouTube. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The FBI Story worth watching?
- The FBI Story holds an audience score of 6.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and crime. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The FBI Story?
- The FBI Story stars James Stewart, Vera Miles, Murray Hamilton, Larry Pennell and Nick Adams.
- When was The FBI Story released?
- The FBI Story was released in 1959, with a runtime of about 149 minutes.