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:

shot to death | shootout | revolver | police detective | police protagonist | 

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Taglines:

This cop plays dirty!

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Though Charles Bronson plays a violent cop, he also distances himself from being violent for no reason when he mentions the kid he killed (in the very beginning) was afraid, and trying to climb over "the white wall" of society. Also, he separates himself from the racist cop (Ralph Waite) by telling him "you're Southern hostilities are showing" as well as shooting the cop dirty looks when he makes racist comments about an African American perpetrator.

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Goofs

(at around 55 mins) Immediately after the guy in the brown suit is contacted by the motorcycle cop at LAX, Charles Bronson is talking to his boss. During this exchange, just after the solo shot of the boss, the shadow of the boom mic is seen between the two mens heads at the ceiling line. The shadow moves from right to left and disappears

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Quotes

[last lines]
Guido Lorenz: [Lorenz and Torrey, in car, as they watch Vescari enter a church] Nothing changes, only the names.
Lou Torrey: You gotta be kidding. We're chest deep in water. Screaming against the rushing tide.
Al Vescari: [cut to Vescari in church confessional, after organizing the hit on the other Dons] Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. I haven't been to confession for ten days. I lose my temper...
Lou Torrey: [cut back to Torrey and Lorenz in car] You know, last three weeks, in New York City alone, there were 159 homicides?
Al Vescari: [...]

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Crazy Credits

Actor Gene Woodbury is credited in opening credits only.

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Alternate Versions

The footage of Lawrence darting round the room shooting the dead/injured mafia dons with a pistol (to ensure all are dead) after the window fall was cut from the original UK cinema version by the BBFC. The 1986 RCA/Columbia video was fully uncut.

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Connections

Featured in Mr. Blonde: Paul Koslo on 'The Stone Killer' (2017)

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Soundtracks

Cool Bossa Source (Jazz Theme)
Written by Roy Budd
Performed by Roy Budd Trio

User Reviews

Good old fashioned, hard-hitting action

If you're not already a Charles Bronson fan, this film isn't likely to change your mind. But for those of you like their action films with side-burns, bell bottoms and good old fashioned,hard-hitting action, you'll really enjoy this. Bronson does his "Dirty Harry" impression while investigating a strange ring of murders involving ex-vietnam vets and the Mob. Great car chases. The crazy car crack up inside a parking lot is this film's action highlight. One of my favorite Bronson flicks.

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

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,386,064

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica, Produzioni Cinematografiche Inter. Ma. Co., Rizzoli Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1