Depp, Bale make 'Public Enemies' lively

LOS ANGELES (NBC) - In a summer filled with super heroes and special effects, a historical drama based on real life is in theaters this weekend.

"Public Enemies" is based on the Depression-era exploits of one of America's most notorious criminals---John Dillinger.

But the film, which stars Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, is not all cops and robbers.

Dillinger also had enough charm to become a folk hero to many.....and to win over one special woman.

"When he met Billie Frechette," said Depp, talking about Dillinger's sweetheart, "It was without a doubt the love of his life. He was gone."

Depp's co-star, Marion Cotillard, said her character's feelings were similar.

"She fell in love right away and when he told her who he was, it was already too late," Cotillard said, "And then, what can you do about love?"

While Depp gets to show Dillinger's romantic side in "Public Enemies", that's not what made the outlaw famous.

"John dillinger was the common man who said you know what, I ain't gonna take this anymore," Depp said of the man many considered a modern day Robin Hood. "(He said) I just spent ten years in prison and I know what to do and I'm gonna go and get mine and live my life."

Christian Bale plays FBI agent Melvin Purvis, the man determined to bring Dillinger to justice, but also a man frustrated by laws of the time.

"Legally, there were very few offenses which the feds could pursue somebody over, so Dillinger could rob banks and break friends out of prison and there was no federal offense committed."

And even putting Dillinger behind bars didn't necessarily mean keeping him there.

He was paroled once from prison and later escaped prison once before his crime spree ended permanently.