The New Centurions

1972

Action / Crime / Drama / Thriller

4
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 60% · 5 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 63% · 250 ratings
IMDb Rating 7.0/10 10 3658 3.7K

los angeles, california rookie cop lapd

Plot summary

An idealistic rookie cop joins the LAPD to make ends meet while finishing law school, and is indoctrinated by a seasoned veteran. As time goes on, he loses his ambitions and family as police work becomes his entire life.

Director

Richard Fleischer Photo
Richard Fleischer

Top cast

Stacy Keach Photo
Stacy Keach as Roy
Rosalind Cash Photo
Rosalind Cash as Lorrie
Isabel Sanford Photo
Isabel Sanford as Wilma
Scott Wilson Photo
Scott Wilson as Gus
720p.BLU
947.17 MB
1280*544
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles
23.976 fps
1 hr 43 min
Seeds 6

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by Chase_Witherspoon 8 / 10

Sombre Police Story

Wanting a better life for his family, Keach enlists with the LAPD to supplement his wife's meagre income while he attends law school. But the job soon becomes all consuming leading to the breakdown of his marriage to Alexander whose support wanes in the face of constant neglect playing second fiddle to the force. In turn, Keach loses touch with reality whereby he questions his motivations for remaining in situ, but the job compels him to endure. After a litany of setbacks, alcoholic and facing ruin, he's briefly resurrected by Cash, taking pity on his misguided loyalty, and helping him to re-discover the purpose he once idealised. Rich, rewarding tale of an everyday struggle is told in a rather grim but entertaining fashion by accomplished director Fleischer.Despite solid performances from Keach and Alexander in particular, this is George C.Scott's movie, as the maverick older statesman with nothing but the badge to define his identity. His character is a scene stealer, and is at times, fierce, frightening, benevolent and ultimately, very bleak. The highly emotional scene in which Scott telephones Keach and relays the metaphor of the old man and his burglar, resonates throughout the remainder of the film, and beyond.There's not the synergism that you'd expect and if it weren't for the distinction that Scott, Alexander and Wilson as the modest rookie, each bring to their respective characterisations, "The New Centurions" would be just another police story, and this is evidenced to a degree when their characters are no longer in focus. A very capable and vast supporting cast bring a gritty reality, and the story ebbs and flows toward a sudden and unexpected climax. The anguish experienced by the characters is palpable, and every time the mood brightens, there's another catastrophe waiting. Probably not the movie to watch before joining the academy, but highly entertaining and thought-provoking nonetheless.
Reviewed by

Reviewed by Hey_Sweden 8 / 10

Laws change. People don't.

"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.

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