1981·Drama·2h 47m
7.1
★
New York City detective Daniel Ciello agrees to help the United States Department of Justice eliminate corruption in the police department, as long as he will not have to turn in any close friends. In doing so, Ciello uncovers a conspiracy within the force to smuggle drugs to street informants.
Directed by Sidney Lumet
new york city
corruption
police
1970s
wiretap
police corruption
district attorney
narcotics cop
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Treat Williams
Daniel Ciello
Jerry Orbach
Gus Levy
Richard Foronjy
Joe Marinaro
Carmine Caridi
Gino Mascone
Norman Parker
Rick Cappalino
Paul Roebling
Brooks Paige
Bob Balaban
Santimassino
James Tolkan
George Polito
Steve Inwood
Mario Vincente
Lindsay Crouse
Carla Ciello
Matthew Laurance
Ronnie Ciello
Ronald Maccone
Nicholas 'Nick' Napoli
Crew
Sidney Lumet
Director
Jay Presson Allen
Screenplay
Sidney Lumet
Screenplay
Paul Chihara
Original Music Composer
Andrzej Bartkowiak
Director of Photography
Jay Presson Allen
Executive Producer
Tony Walton
Production Design
Popular Reviews
32 reviews
PoochieVince
8.0★ · 04/07/26
It’s heavy, gritty, and feels like the clear spiritual predecessor to We Own This City. It’s long, but it earns every minute of that crushing intensity.
It’s heavy, gritty, and feels like the clear spiritual predecessor to We Own This City. It’s long, but it earns every minute of that crushing intensity.
Miles v
8.0★ · 12/08/25
I need to watch this in a theater
I need to watch this in a theater
Richard
4.6★ · 09/11/25
5.4/10
5.4/10
Richard
5.0★ · 09/11/25
5.4/10
5.4/10
va24mar
8.0★ · 07/16/24
1981 | Sidney Lumet | Lance Henriksen
As this is a Sidney Lumet crime drama about police corruption based on a true story, the comparison to “Serpico” seems very obvious. But the films are very different.
This is an almost three hour long, operatic and almost melodramatic tale about corruption and loyalty and the different, often clashing, forces of the justice system. It’s a very talky, yet extremely interesting film.
It also looks absolutely phenomenal and is yet another showcase of what a great craftsman Lumet was. I think it really earns its runtime as the scope and stakes keep getting bigger and I actually kept enjoying the film more and more the longer it ran and I loved the last scene.
I need to rewatch “Serpico”, but after having seen both films once, I’d say I liked this one more. At least I’m gonna rate it higher. “Serpico” is great tho.
As this is a Sidney Lumet crime drama about police corruption based on a true story, the comparison to “Serpico” seems very obvious. But the films are very different.
This is an almost three hour long, operatic and almost melodramatic tale about corruption and loyalty and the different, often clashing, forces of the justice system. It’s a very talky, yet extremely interesting film.
It also looks absolutely phenomenal and is yet another showcase of what a great craftsman Lumet was. I think it really earns its runtime as the scope and stakes keep getting bigger and I actually kept enjoying the film more and more the longer it ran and I loved the last scene.
I need to rewatch “Serpico”, but after having seen both films once, I’d say I liked this one more. At least I’m gonna rate it higher. “Serpico” is great tho.
1981 | Sidney Lumet | Lance Henriksen
As this is a Sidney Lumet crime drama about police corruption based on a true story, the comparison to “Serpico” seems very obvious. But the films are very different.
This is an almost three hour long, operatic and almost melodramatic tale about corruption and loyalty and the different, often clashing, forces of the justice system. It’s a very talky, yet extremely interesting film.
It also looks absolutely phenomenal and is yet another showcase of what a great craftsman Lumet was. I think it really earns its runtime as the scope and stakes keep getting bigger and I actually kept enjoying the film more and more the longer it ran and I loved the last scene.
I need to rewatch “Serpico”, but after having seen both films once, I’d say I liked this one more. At least I’m gonna rate it higher. “Serpico” is great tho.
As this is a Sidney Lumet crime drama about police corruption based on a true story, the comparison to “Serpico” seems very obvious. But the films are very different.
This is an almost three hour long, operatic and almost melodramatic tale about corruption and loyalty and the different, often clashing, forces of the justice system. It’s a very talky, yet extremely interesting film.
It also looks absolutely phenomenal and is yet another showcase of what a great craftsman Lumet was. I think it really earns its runtime as the scope and stakes keep getting bigger and I actually kept enjoying the film more and more the longer it ran and I loved the last scene.
I need to rewatch “Serpico”, but after having seen both films once, I’d say I liked this one more. At least I’m gonna rate it higher. “Serpico” is great tho.