At Close Range is a 1986 crime drama based on a true story of a Chester County crime family described as “one of the most cunning and sly groups of criminals” by a former defense attorney for one of its members, writes Raghvendra Singh Rana for The Cinemaholic. 

Written by Nicholas Kazan, the film focuses on Bruce Johnston Sr., who grew up in a large family in Chester County and was only 15 when he went into a life of petty crime with some of his siblings. He served some time in juvenile detention and then prison. After being released, he established a criminal empire with two of his brothers around Chester County. 

They focused on stealing cars before they moved on to more lucrative items, including farm equipment and guns. 

However, the whole criminal empire came crashing down in 1978, when Bruce Johnston Jr., who led the so-called Kiddie Gang, was arrested and chose to testify against his father and the rest of his crew. 

The rule and downfall of the Johnston Gang is masterfully recorded in the classic movie, starring Christopher Walken and Sean Penn. 

Read more about the family that inspired the movie in The Cinemaholic. 

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Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on VISTA Today in April 2023.