Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence (1992)

A priest practicing the Voodoo arts resurrects Matt Cordell, who takes his badge and comes back from the dead to do his bidding.

Directors:

William Lustig, Joel Soisson (uncredited)

Writers:

Larry Cohen (characters), Larry Cohen

Stars:

Robert Davi, Robert Z'Dar, Caitlin Dulany

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Davi	...	Det. Sean McKinney
Robert Z'Dar	...	Matt Cordell
Caitlin Dulany	...	Dr. Susan Fowler
Gretchen Becker	...	Katie Sullivan
Paul Gleason	...	Hank Cooney
Jackie Earle Haley	...	Frank Jessup
Julius Harris	...	Houngan
Grand L. Bush	...	Willie (as Grand Bush)
Doug Savant	...	Dr. Peter Myerson
Robert Forster	...	Dr. Powell
Bobby Di Cicco	...	Bishop
Frank Pesce	...	Tribble
Lou Diaz	...	Leon
Brenda Varda	...	Lindsey
Vanessa Marquez	...	Terry

Storyline

A female cop is gunned down and wrongly accused of using excessive force in a hostage rescue attempt. Maniac cop returns from the dead once more to seek revenge, destroying everthing and anyone that stands in his way.

---

Plot Keywords:

third part | psychotronic film | slasher | part of a trilogy | supernatural horror | 

---

Taglines:

You can't keep a good corpse down.

---

Genres:

Action | Horror

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, and for language and some drug content (edited for re-rating)

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film takes place directly after the events of Maniac Cop 2 (1990), which was 1989; this film refers to the Rodney King incident and Kate's hospital chart says 1992. Therefore the time span of the film is three years.

---

Goofs

In the scene where Det. McKinney and Dr Fowler are reviewing the unedited video of the shooting involving Officer Sullivan, the dialogue from Officer Sullivan is not consistent with the dialogue from the original shooting scene from earlier in the movie.

---

Quotes

Det. Sean McKinney: I can't imagine the kind of pain you feel Matt. I'm not gonna pretend to. But don't condemn her to the same fate. She deserves better. You cleared her. She's at peace. Let her go, Matt. Let her go.
Matt Cordell: *talking to the voo-doo man* "Finish it!

---

Alternate Versions

Originally rated NC-17, some extreme violent acts were cut so the film could receive an R-rating by the MPAA.

---

Connections

Referenced in American Grindhouse (2010)

User Reviews

Third time is NOT the charm.

A disappointing and lackluster entry in the MANIAC COP series. Though this film does have some competently staged action, MANIAC COP 3: BADGE OF SILENCE is unsettling and even tepid at times.

The plot revolves around a rookie police officer, Kate Sullivan (Caitlin Dulany) who is currently in a coma after being injured in the line of duty. After a violent shoot-out leaves several cops and civilians mortally wounded, Sullivan has been falsely accused of using excessive force. Meanwhile, Officer Matt Cordell (Robert Z'Dar, reprising his role) looks even more disgusting with a stone cold facade. He has an even worse attitude than before. Resurrected from beyond the grave by a voodoo priest, Cordell is more ticked off than ever. He is obsessed with revenge on the corrupt officials who have wrongly accused and convicted Sullivan.

It's up to Lt. Sean McKinney (Robert Davi, also a veteran of the MANIAC COP series) to stop Cordell before he precipitates yet another one of his own patented killing sprees, but frankly, it is too late...

MANIAC COP 3: BADGE OF SILENCE was definitely the most pretentious entry in the truly well made MANIAC COP series. There is a lack of excitement in this film, and there is no sense of sympathy for any of the main characters. The acclamation for the most amusing character though goes to actor Jackie Earl Haley as convicted felon, Frank Jessup. He is in top form as a psychopath who shoots first without thinking about the consequences beforehand. Still, there are no true, likable characters to root for, and too many flashback sequences have been used to kill time. MANIAC COP 3: BADGE OF SILENCE had slightly better action than the first film even though most of the events in this MANIAC COP sequel are confined in a hospital. However, the picayune story is missing any unique plot twists or unexpected surprises.

Yes, there are some inept one-liners, but the attempted black humor in this film is more alienating than funny. Last, though there are some new characters in this film, there is no new creativity in the film's formulaic format. The car chase scene especially in the end where Officer Cordell is "burning with rage" while pursuing McKinney and his friend may be deviant, but it is certainly drowsy. Stick with the first two entries in the MANIAC COP series; do not go for this second sequel. This film is bereft of intriguing ideas.

Look for character actor Robert Forster in a role as a doctor who gets a "first hand" experience at learning the dangers of radiation...

RATING: *1/2 out of ****.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 December 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

MC3: Maniac Cop 3

Filming Locations:

Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, Queens, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

NEO Motion Pictures, First Look Pictures, Overseas FilmGroup

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1