Code of Silence (1985)

A Chicago cop is caught in a middle of a gang war while his own comrades shun him because he wants to take an irresponsible cop down.

Director:

Andrew Davis

Writers:

Michael Butler (screenplay), Dennis Shryack (screenplay)

Stars:

Chuck Norris, Henry Silva, Bert Remsen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chuck Norris	...	Eddie Cusack
Henry Silva	...	Luis Comacho
Bert Remsen	...	Commander Kates
Mike Genovese	...	Tony Luna
Nathan Davis	...	Felix Scalese
Ralph Foody	...	Cragie
Allen Hamilton	...	Pirelli
Ron Henriquez	...	Victor Comacho
Joe Guzaldo	...	Nick Kopalas (as Joseph Guzaldo)
Molly Hagan	...	Diana Luna
Ron Dean	...	Brennan
Wilbert Bradley	...	Spider
Dennis Farina	...	Dorato
Gene Barge	...	Music
Mario Nieves	...	Pompas

Storyline

Eddie Cusack is a Chicago police officer about to bust some members of the Comacho gang when the gang is shot up by a rival drug gang from the neighboring building, led by Tony Luna. Victor Comacho is the only survivor of the Comacho gang and his older brother, Luis, who is the leader of the gang, retaliates by killing Luna's family and kidnaps Luna's daughter, Diana. Cusack must face Tony Luna and Luis Comacho alone because nobody on the police force is willing to help him since he was the only cop who broke the code of silence by testifying against a fellow cop who killed an unarmed teenager, but Cusack is not really alone. A police robot called "Prowler" aides Cusack as he takes down the gangs.

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Plot Keywords:

gang | gang leader | brother brother relationship | opening action scene | father daughter relationship | 

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Taglines:

The toughest cop in the world.... just got tougher.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 May 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dirty Harry IV: Code of Silence

Filming Locations:

Lower Wacker Drive, Downtown, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,512,461, 5 May 1985

Gross USA:

$20,345,361

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$20,345,361

Company Credits

Production Co:

Orion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Astrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was labeled Chuck Norris "own version of Dirty Harry (1971)" by the New York Times and was generally perceived as this publicly by audiences just as the recent Sharky's Machine (1981) had been considered Burt Reynolds' version of Dirty Harry (1971).

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Goofs

When Diana Luna is chased by Comacho's goons into an alley and cornered near a dumpster, a red delivery truck with "CSX Delivery" painted on the back door can be seen in the background in one shot, is gone in the next shot, and returns in the following shot.

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Quotes

Luis Comacho: [Camacho and Cusack run into each other in a public building] One day, I would like to give you a gift of a Columbian necktie.
[his underlings laugh]
Luis Comacho: It's very special. You slit the throat, pull out the tongue and on you...
[laughs]
Luis Comacho: it would look beautiful.
Eddie Cusack: [smirking] Why don't you give it to me right now?

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Connections

Referenced in Kung Tai Ted: Ninja Death III (2010)

User Reviews

Good,No-nonsense butt-kicker that's kinda been forgotten

To me,it's kind of unfortunate that many people,when people mention the name Chuck Norris think mostly of "Walker:Texas Ranger"(if they're not thinking of the barrage of Internet facts and the Home Gym infomercials he's been doing with Christie Brinkley),which is a shame. "Walker..." may've offered people who enjoy their television simple,straight-forward and moralistic(not to meniton full of round-house kicks),but to me,Mr.Norris seems better suited for movies,where his quiet,confident and likable minimalism as an actor--which perfectly balance his awesome fighting skills--can go from introduction through denouement of a three-to-four act movie involving situation,rising tension,action,climax and conclusion,all in the tight space of two hours or so(As opposed to a recurring character over the space of twenty-plus episodes per season). But that's just my humble Opine.

THis story isn't particularly taxing,as following suit with many of this genre: Tough,upright,fair and moral Chicago Sgt.Eddie Cusack(guess who?)has two looming problems on his hands--an IAD investigation into the shooting of a young boy in the projects involving two of his undercovers,one of whom becomes his de facto partner,and a gang war brewing between Italian and Bolivian(?) drug-families,which has him becoming the guardian of a scared Mafia princess(Molly HAgan). Cusack'll need his not only his toughness but also his wits(And a police robot,to boot)to play both families(the Latino family led by Henry Silva,a piece of excellent casting) off each other AND dodge the repercussions of bitter,corrupt fellow cops to make sure that justice is preserved and the innocent young woman in his care is not made yet another mob war casualty.

Directed by rising star director Andrew DAvis(in another seven years,he'll helm the surprise hit "UNder Siege" and in eight,the blockbuster "The Fugitive"),this show uses A lot of Chicago--it's scenery,it's landmarks,neighborhoods and(last but not least)it's actors,none the least of which is someday acting staple but then former Chicago cop himself Dennis FArina(As Chuck's easy-going partner and erstwhile comic relief)--and it's all used to very good effect. About the only thing that doesn't cut muster here is the almost CAsio-like music that scores this,but being that this was a 1985 release,I'm figuring that this show was no more or less guilty of that than most films of the era. I got this movie out of the cheap,cheap CHEAP bin at the local music and movie resold store,and I must say that it better than makes up for the price paid. This film's been swept under,but to me,coupled with such lost classics as "The Octagon","Lone Wold McQuade" and "Eye for an Eye" are definitely worth your Norris film library,if you are so inclined to start one,of course.