The New Centurions (1972)

The New Centurions (1972)
Member Rating:  
Joseph Wambaugh's best-seller about patrol-car cops in urban Los Angeles is given a competent yet antiseptic treatment by director Richard Fleischer. The film has a bad-tasting us-versus-them mentality in its depiction of patrolmen-civilian interaction, and its hopeless atmosphere carries over into the bleak suicide of one of the principle characters. But behind its rancid veneer, the story is the old "B"-movie police story concerning a rookie cop being shown the ropes by a kindly and wizened old veteran. Roy (Stacy Keach) is the young patrolman introduced into the ways of Los Angeles street life by Kilvinsky (George C. Scott), the philosophical old pro. Kilvinsky is just short of retirement and wants to educate Roy to succeed him when he leaves. Roy, however, is on the edge because of a recent divorce, and it takes many speeches by Kilvinsky and the love and affection from his new black girlfriend Lorrie (Rosalind Cash) to keep from going over the deep end. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Starring:
George C. ScottStacy Keach, (more)
Director(s):
Richard Fleischer
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of The New Centurions

Joseph Wambaugh's best-seller about patrol-car cops in urban Los Angeles is given a competent yet antiseptic treatment by director Richard Fleischer. The film has a bad-tasting us-versus-them mentality in its depiction of patrolmen-civilian interaction, and its hopeless atmosphere carries over into the bleak suicide of one of the principle characters. But behind its rancid veneer, the story is the old "B"-movie police story concerning a rookie cop being shown the ropes by a kindly and wizened old veteran. Roy (Stacy Keach) is the young patrolman introduced into the ways of Los Angeles street life by Kilvinsky (George C. Scott), the philosophical old pro. Kilvinsky is just short of retirement and wants to educate Roy to succeed him when he leaves. Roy, however, is on the edge because of a recent divorce, and it takes many speeches by Kilvinsky and the love and affection from his new black girlfriend Lorrie (Rosalind Cash) to keep from going over the deep end. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
103 mins

Complete Cast of The New Centurions


Director(s):
Richard Fleischer
Writer(s):
Stirling Silliphant
Producer(s):
Robert ChartoffIrwin Winkler
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Adult Situations, Not For Children, Graphic Violence, Adult Language, Violence)
Categories:
Drama
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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    Thomas B.

    The New Centurions was based on the first must read novel by Joseph Wambaugh. In it's day this was a great motion picture about street cops. Like many films it does show it's age simply because cinematography has improved so much in the past 35 years. I believe that many us, when flipping through the TV stations, always stop and watch a few minutes of Cops or other such shows. This was one of the first very realistic portrayals of those patrolmen. The movie is violent, has profanity and brief nudity. The usual two people talking in bar and the joint is, of course, topless. It is a down to earth story of the veteran and the rookie and their lives on the street and how they change throughout their careers.. There are no heroes or happy endings. Great performances. I recommend this movie and also suggest that everyone read the book. 9-30-2008

    Yes   |   No

     
    Patrick K.

    Solid cop flick. Cliched at times. Fine cast and not at all superficial like most movies we're seeing today.

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    Marc F.

    One of my favorite Police Shows. Absolutely realistic in everyway. The way Policing was pre 1975.

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