"The New Centurions" was the very first feature film adaptation of a novel by Joseph Wambaugh, a real-life former cop who parlayed his knowledge and experience into great success as a writer. It showcases an incredible cast of familiar faces, led by George C. Scott and Stacy Keach, and benefits from straightforward storytelling by excellent journeyman director Richard Fleischer.
It features the kind of no-frills, matter-of-fact presentation that this viewer really appreciates, as it spins the yarn of rookie cops (played by the likes of Keach, Scott Wilson, and Erik "Ponch" Estrada) on the L.A.P.D., and their personal details. Keach is an idealistic type supporting his law studies through night shifts as a patrolman, but finds that he really enjoys this line of work, especially as he's mentored by a wise veteran, played by the wonderful George C. Scott. This is a guy who has his own way of doing things - his methods may not be completely legal, but they do work.
The narrative (the screenplay is by talented screenwriter Stirling Silliphant) does have an episodic quality overall, but the characters are generally sympathetic and so engaging that you want to keep watching them. It also helps that the film stays relatively believable, and rarely gets silly or melodramatic. It even includes a little romance, between Keach and appealing black nurse Rosalind Cash.
Extremely well shot on various L.A. locations by Ralph Woolsey, "The New Centurions" contains a potent musical score by Quincy Jones, and the volume of reliable and recognizable actors in supporting roles and bits is impressive: Jane Alexander, Clifton James, James Sikking, Isabel Sanford, Carol Speed, William Atherton (in his feature film debut), Ed Lauter, Dolph Sweet, Stefan Gierasch, Roger E. Mosley, and Pepe Serna; appearing in uncredited parts are Anne Ramsey, Gerald S. O'Loughlin, DeWayne Jessie, Kitten Natividad, and Lieux Dressler.
The picture may contain some humourous moments, but it's quite serious in the end, and ultimately downbeat. It doesn't shy away from the grim reality of life as a cop.
Eight out of 10.
It features the kind of no-frills, matter-of-fact presentation that this viewer really appreciates, as it spins the yarn of rookie cops (played by the likes of Keach, Scott Wilson, and Erik "Ponch" Estrada) on the L.A.P.D., and their personal details. Keach is an idealistic type supporting his law studies through night shifts as a patrolman, but finds that he really enjoys this line of work, especially as he's mentored by a wise veteran, played by the wonderful George C. Scott. This is a guy who has his own way of doing things - his methods may not be completely legal, but they do work.
The narrative (the screenplay is by talented screenwriter Stirling Silliphant) does have an episodic quality overall, but the characters are generally sympathetic and so engaging that you want to keep watching them. It also helps that the film stays relatively believable, and rarely gets silly or melodramatic. It even includes a little romance, between Keach and appealing black nurse Rosalind Cash.
Extremely well shot on various L.A. locations by Ralph Woolsey, "The New Centurions" contains a potent musical score by Quincy Jones, and the volume of reliable and recognizable actors in supporting roles and bits is impressive: Jane Alexander, Clifton James, James Sikking, Isabel Sanford, Carol Speed, William Atherton (in his feature film debut), Ed Lauter, Dolph Sweet, Stefan Gierasch, Roger E. Mosley, and Pepe Serna; appearing in uncredited parts are Anne Ramsey, Gerald S. O'Loughlin, DeWayne Jessie, Kitten Natividad, and Lieux Dressler.
The picture may contain some humourous moments, but it's quite serious in the end, and ultimately downbeat. It doesn't shy away from the grim reality of life as a cop.
Eight out of 10.