The Star Chamber (1983)

Disgusted with criminals escaping the judicial system via technicalities, an idealistic young judge investigates an alternative method for punishing the guilty.

Director:

Peter Hyams

Writers:

Roderick Taylor (screenplay), Peter Hyams (screenplay),

Stars:

Michael Douglas, Hal Holbrook, Yaphet Kotto

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Douglas	...	Superior Court Judge Steven R. Hardin
Hal Holbrook	...	Judge Benjamin Caulfield
Yaphet Kotto	...	Det. Harry Lowes
Sharon Gless	...	Emily Hardin
James Sikking	...	Dr. Harold Lewin (as James B. Sikking)
Joe Regalbuto	...	Arthur Cooms
Don Calfa	...	Lawrence Monk
John DiSanti	...	Det. James Wickman
Otis Day	...	Stanley Flowers (as DeWayne Jessie)
Jack Kehoe	...	Hingle
Larry Hankin	...	Det. Kenneth Wiggan
Dick Anthony Williams	...	Det. Paul Mackey
Margie Impert	...	Louise Pacinni
Dana Gladstone	...	Dept. Dist. Atty. Martin Hyatt
David Proval	...	Officer Nelson

Storyline

Disgusted with criminals escaping the judicial system via technicalities, an idealistic young judge investigates an alternative method for punishing the guilty.

---

Plot Keywords:

hitman | conspiracy | vigilantism | courtroom | child murder | 

---

Taglines:

They are the most powerful members of our community. They have a shattering secret. A secret that will affect us all. Only one man is willing to stop them. On August 5, you'll know who they really are.

---

Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 August 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Câmara Secreta

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$5,600,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Frank Yablans Presentations, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some movie posters for this film featured a long preamble which read: "They are the most powerful members of our community. They have a shattering secret. A secret that will affect us all. Only one man is willing to stop them. On August 5, you'll know who they really are."

---

Goofs

During the chase scene between the Pontiac Firebird and the cops in the parking garage, several times skid marks can be seen along the path the cars follow. These marks follow through very narrow gaps between parked cars and concrete posts, areas in which cars would not normally travel.

---

Quotes

Judge Benjamin Caulfield: It's always been a game, only now the bad guys have a stronger team, got a better draft.
Superior Court Judge Steven R. Hardin: You know I took a lot of notes in your class and I can never remember you saying anything quite like that.
Judge Benjamin Caulfield: You should have taken fewer notes and listened more.

---

Connections

Referenced in Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead (2009)

User Reviews

Refreshing.

Not altogether successful, but fully absorbing and thought-provoking film, with an exceptional performance by Douglas, even if he looks a bit too young to be a judge. Director Hyams knows how to shoot chase sequences, but he should have included less of them here. Still, it's refreshing to watch a movie that's suspenseful without being brainless. I recommend this film to eclectic viewers.