The Stone Killer (1973)

A top New York detective is sent to Los Angeles where he must solve a case involving an old Sicilian Mafia family feud.

Director:

Michael Winner

Writers:

Gerald Wilson (screenplay), John Gardner (book)

Stars:

Charles Bronson, Martin Balsam, Jack Colvin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Bronson	...	Lou Torrey
Martin Balsam	...	Al Vescari
Jack Colvin	...	Jumper
Paul Koslo	...	Langley
Norman Fell	...	Les Daniels
David Sheiner	...	Guido Lorenz
Stuart Margolin	...	Lawrence
Ralph Waite	...	Mathews
Alfred Ryder	...	Tony Champion
Walter Burke	...	J D
Kelley Miles	...	Geraldine Wexton (as Kelly Miles)
Eddie Firestone	...	Armitage
Charles Tyner	...	Police Psychiatrist
Byron Morrow	...	Station Commander
Lisabeth Hush	...	Dr. Helen Torrey

Storyline

Top detective Lou Torrey is transferred to Los Angeles and uncovers a plot by a Sicilian mafioso to use Vietnam War veterans to murder all his enemies in a rerun of the "Sicilian Vespers" when the previous generation of Sicilian mafiosi were all killed on a single day. Torrey gets various clues that something big is about to happen, but will he discover what is planned before the big day?

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Plot Keywords:

three word title | police detective | police protagonist | arrest | drug dealer | 

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Taglines:

This cop is up to his eyebrows in godfathers, informers, junkies and trigger-men with itchy fingers!

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Italy USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 August 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Complete State of Death

Filming Locations:

16 Ericsson Place, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation,Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica,Produzioni Cinematografiche Inter. Ma. Co.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Ritter and Norman Fell play police officers in this film. Three years later they would team up again in the hit TV series Three's Company (1976).

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Goofs

During chase scenes skid marks can be seen meaning more than one take was done for the final scene in the movie. In particular, in the parking garage during the chase scene skid marks are prevalent.

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Quotes

Witness: [sees Mathews] You sure keep lousy company, man.
Lou Torrey: Hey, I filled your plate for you.
Witness: That's cool. Say Torrey, I still don't wanna marry your sister.
Lou Torrey: [smiling] That breaks me up. You ought to see the slob she did marry.

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Crazy Credits

Actor Gene Woodbury is credited in opening credits only.

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Alternate Versions

In the German video cut 13 minutes are missing. 02:33: Lou Torrey visits his wife. Both talk about their daughter and New York in general. She says: I look at you and I see this town. Complete scene is missing.(1:30 min.) 18:04: Lipper's assassination is prepared. Lipper himself fools a cop in hospital who should bring him back to jail (4:25 min.). 33:11: Vescari explains further details of his plan. All men go back to their cars (2:13 min.). 36:20: Torrey looks at Geraldine Waxton's dossier (0:10 min.). 38:58: Both cops run down the stairs. Torrey searches for Geraldine Waxton in a flower power parish in Carmel. The whole scene is missing. Geraldine asks Torrey if he would be interested in her. Torrey answers: Another time, another place, another cop. (4:19 min). 48:19: The car is driving around a corner (0:06 min.). 59:12: Matthews explains his hatred against the desert mission (0:12 min.). 90:26: Torrey sits in the car and quotes a word that was common in the roman arena: You've got five minutes, Christians. (0:07 min.).

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Connections

Featured in Paul Koslo on 'Maniac!' (2016)

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Soundtracks

Final Capture
Written by Roy Budd
Performed by Roy Budd And His Orchestra

User Reviews

Charlie VS the Mafia Factory

I sought relaxing and undemanding action entertainment, I found …. Charlie Bronson! What's better after a hard and long working day than to sit down in a comfortable couch, switch off all still operational brain functions, and watch Charlie kill off some random street scum? During the 70's and 80's, Bronson mastered in depicting unorthodox coppers/relentless vigilantes in ultra-violent and gritty movies, and personally I love each and every single one of them, even though – admittedly – they're not the most sophisticated or even memorable form of art! In this same period, Charlie collaborated a number of times with director Michael Winner, who himself isn't exactly known for his subtlety and flair either, so a joint venture of these gentlemen is a guaranteed piece of uncompromising trash. "The Stone Killer" boosts a slightly more ambitious storyline – one based on a novel by John Gardner – but eventually it just remains a raw 'lone cop' thriller. After the umpteenth "shoot first, ask questions later" incident, lieutenant Lou Torrey gets transferred from gloomy New York to sunny California. There, during a banal prisoner's transport, he stumbles upon a convoluted crime network that brings him all the way back to New York. Torrey, thanks to the help of bizarre informants and dissident interrogation techniques, gradually uncovers the plot of a mafia war to end all mafia wars. Bronson's acting performance is more automatic pilot than ever, but Michael Winner serves numerous exciting car chases and vigorous shootouts, including a wildly out-of-control finale. Did I mention that the film is violent?!? This is early 70's at its best, full of racial slur, realistic dummies falling from the nineteenth floor and gay musicians getting run over by a Cadillac! Oh, and this movie proves that Charlie Bronson is the most efficient shooter ever! With him, each shot is a hit. Whether from inside a shaky helicopter or from an impossible angle on a staircase, it's always bullseye!