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:

police | rescue | gun | robot | drugs | 

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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, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$20,345,261

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

Technical specifications, armory, and gadgets that featured on the Prowler police tactical assistance robot included a Doppler radar, one M-40 recoil-less rifle, infra-red heat sensors, two Mark 19 grenade launchers, and twin HB .50 caliber machine-guns. The robot featured a simplified Mark 2 hand-held control system which utilized a remote control hand-controller. "The Prowler" also featured both a target acquisition system and a laser range & guidance system.

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Goofs

The rear-view mirror has been removed from the Checker cab that Diana takes.

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Quotes

Brennan: Hey Sarge! You know how a Camacho's like a cue ball? Cause the harder you hit 'em, the better their English gets.

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Connections

References Gone with the Wind (1939)

User Reviews

Leave it to Norris. He'll do it by the badge, and on his lonesome too.

As I sat down, I wasn't expecting much even with the constant praise I read about this particular Norris effort. So to my surprise, I usually can't help but grin, or chuckle whenever watching one his films (humorous or not), but "Code of Silence" altered that perception. Well just say up until that waterlogged, lonesome gung-ho final curtain call into heroic pulp territory. Now then I couldn't help but raise a smirk, and go along with the fantasy. What really pushes this one along; is that it's professionally directed with balls and vigorous energy by Andrew Davis. The well-plotted material keeps you involved, while even following the standard textbook cop drama elements. The honest script has some cringe moments, but never becomes brainless. Just look at the witty humour and turmoil drama (a real concentration on loyalty from the cops to the criminals) that's thrown in, it fits along with everything that opens up in the meaty plot.

So it begs the question. How was our star? Norris's competently does a fine job. His easy-going nature, brought to the screen a comfortable performance, even when he wasn't kicking ass. And we know how good he's at the latter, but his acting turn here had a rather genuine feel to his character. Even though he's one man antics cross the line. He doesn't need a partner. Hell, just sack the entire police force as you can see by the results. Norris is capable enough. He got game. Henry Silva's stoically vicious drug lord villain, was a sturdy show-in and Molly Hagan admirably delivers. Ralph Foody amuses as a burnt-out cop.

Nothing about this project is award winning material, but assured catering in nearly every field makes it better than just your average cop drama. A confidently good-looking production, is filled with well-placed set-pieces and sweaty stunk work infused by its snappy pace and an uncannily, upbeat music score. The urban setting is put to great-use and fashionably-captured shots.

Quite an exciting and always on the move action yarn, which has a little more thought behind it than you might think.