The Detective (1968)
Genre: Crime / Drama
Duration: 114 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Gordon Douglas
Stars: Frank Sinatra, Lee Remick and Ralph Meeker
IMDb score:
6,5 (4.525)
Releasedate: 28 May 1968
The Detective plot
"An adult look at a police detective"
When investigating the murder of the gay son of a well-known businessman, Inspector Joe Leland finds himself in a hornet's nest of corruption and deceit. When Leland is opposed by politicians and his superiors, he decides to resign and solve the case on his own.
Actors and actresses
Det. Sgt. Joe Leland
Karen Wagner Leland
Curran
Dave Schoenstein
Capt. Tom Farrell
Dr. Wendell Roberts
Colin MacIver
Felix Tesla
Robbie Loughlin
Nestor
Reviews & comments
Bobbejaantje
-
- 2305 messages
- 2093 votes
Fascinating and even pioneering story in which the characters are more than assets but are also psychologically deepened. The story is pioneering because it was one of the first in mainstream Hollywood with homosexuality as a (main) theme.
Frank Sinatra is very convincing, besides his acting talent, he also has the right head to play detective cop. We see him struggling in the tension between his personal life, his job and what the world really needs. His love interest Lee Remick looks like a nymphomaniac. That is in line with sexual freedom in the 1960s, although a psychological explanation is also given from her childhood trauma. In fact, every character in the film is exposed to his or her weaknesses at some point. That makes it, even more than a detective story, a psychological drama.
On top of that, the story has a socially engaged layer. Good looking. The cynicism present is countered in the finale with Sinatra's position.
Visually, it is in good hands with director Gordon Douglas. Good editing and also some special shots (pov suicide from the roof of a building). He is the only director who has worked with both Elvis Presley and Sinatra. The music is up to par and I didn't expect anything else when I saw Jerry Goldsmith appear on the credits. Fortunately, he usually uses a classical score here. Nothing against 60s pop, but attempts at emulation in soundtracks from back then usually sound fluffy and age badly.
Definitely worth seeing. The tension lies mainly in the dialogues and mutual relationships and not so much in the action, which is sparse.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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