The Blue Knight (1973) (TV)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Robert Butler

Writers:

E. Jack Neuman (writer)
Joseph Wambaugh (novel)

Release Date:

11 November 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Crime

Plot:

Bumper Morgan is a veteran Los Angeles Police Department street cop. He is due to retire after 20 years on the job, but is not letting up on the criminal element on his beat. |

Plot Keywords:

Police | Retirement | Based On Novel

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

William Holden	...	Bumper Morgan
Lee Remick	...	Cassie Walters
Joe Santos	...	Sergeant Cruz Segovia
Sam Elliott	...	Detective Charlie Bronski
Eileen Brennan	...	Glenda
Vic Tayback	...	Neil Grogan
Anne Archer	...	Laila
Lucille Benson	...	Elmira Gooch
Ja'net DuBois	...	Celia Louise
Mario Roccuzzo	...	Harold Wagner
Jamie Farr	...	Yasser Hafiz
David Moody
Gloria LeRoy
Richard Collier
Kenneth Wolger

Runtime:

240 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Norway:16

Company:

Lorimar Productions

Quotes:

Rudy Garcia: Don't you cops ever believe anybody?
Bumper Morgan: We keep trying

Movie Connections:

Followed by "The Blue Knight" (1975)

Terrific !

This movie was terrific in it's view of what police work was like at that time, before the handcuffs were put on the police more than they were on the criminals. Bumper Morgan was the kind of cop I trained under, and each of them, and he, were real characters. The most memorable line to me was, when Morgan (William Holden) told the State's Attorney, after screwing up in court and being asked why "Because I'm 50 lousy years old, and I just can't cut it anymore!" Only people who have been in law enforcement can understand the truth in that admission...... This is a wonderful movie on many levels. It shows how police work used to be done in another era, it may make some people realize that maybe it was better done that way, it may scare some people, and it truly sheds light on the dilemma that faces a man in the twilight of his chosen career. A stellar performance by Holden, who was in his twilight at the time it was filmed. Perhaps he brought more to the role than even he realized. His personal decline was mirrored in his portrayal of the kind of cop we all want when we are the victim, but never, ever want to face as the offender. Darkly brilliant !