The New Centurions (1972)

"The New Centurions" should have a solid 8.5 rating, rather than just a 7. This is an under- rated film about the general lives of police officers from a Los Angeles Precinct. George C. Scott and Stacy Keach lead the way as two police officers who are initially teamed up for night duty around Los Angeles. Following a few incidents, they get re-assigned different partners until Stacy Keach is transfered to the vice squad and George C. Scott retires from the force. The film wisely avoids any kind of trendy or glamorous approach to Police work. It is just shown for what it is - a dirty job that someone has to do. The police officers aren't shown to be more heroic than the average person but dedicated and good at their jobs. There is some good action along the way but "The New Centurions" works due to the acting, writing and direction. The recent British DVD release has brilliant sound and picture quality.

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.

I have read the book and seen the movie; however, they both did not show the bigot side of police when it came to dealing with union activists, civil rights organizations, blacks, other minorities, etc. Police work is dangerous; however, it would not be so dangerous if the police got rid of their racist, sexist, political, and ideology attitudes against the rest of the community. The police in America are always voting and upholding the same economic, political, and social system that causes many people to turn to crime just to survive which in turn makes the streets dangerous for the police. The book and movie never show incidents of dealing with rich people who threaten to destroy a police officer's career if they are arrested.If police fought for progressive change in America, then they would not have to face high divorce rates, suicide, and drunkenness on and off the job. Then again, if the crime rate in America was low like it is in Canada, Japan, and Europe, I think the police would get drunk out of sheer boredom of the job because they get too few calls. Many of them live for that adrenalin rush.

Under- and over- rated at the time ('72), appropriately a good time in America to begin the Wambaugh cop legacy, this film has wonderful moments, but as a film it's a letdown overall. George C. is the best as always, Scott Wilson in a supporting role is crucially vibrant, and Stacy Keach at the HEIGHT of his wonderful movie beginnings is this Roy character (with great wife and actress Jane Alexander), but the script goes south 1/2 through trying to appeal to everybody, which was unnecessary in the early 70's. Keach (so great in BREWSTER McCLOUD, HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER, JUDGE ROY BEAN, FAT CITY, etc. .etc.) did a great job with crumby lines, trying to be (in his words)..super-cop). A decent well-made whatever. Scott's final scene = free acting lession to punks. A 5 out of 10. Best performance = G.C. Scott. Worth the time; don't expect art and you'll see some cool stuff..Rosalind Cash, you know.