The Take

Billy Dee Williams comes to Arizona to work for Police Chief Eddie Albert. It seems that 'the Syndicate' is moving into Albert's city, and Williams is an expert on them. He's also on the take.

At least in this movie, the anonymous crime syndicate has members with names that sound Italian. Although there is a story involved, of Williams making the occasional effort to come unstuck from the criminals, by and large it's about how he manages to remain undiscovered, and what it does to him, his loneliness and lack of connection to people other than on a professional level. Williams is very good in the role, offering an emotionally guarded performance that occasionally lets his feelings seep through. Vic Morrow, as the local crime boss with a dodgy heart complements him in this relationship, where it's all business in when there's no one else around.