Fort Apache the Bronx (1981)

Paul Newman stars in this harsh portrait of a police station in a crumbling neighborhood. Newman plays John Murphy, a veteran policeman who's been on the force long enough to be tired, but not so long that he's lost his idealism. The plot is loosely tied to the arrival of Connolly, the new precinct captain (Edward Asner). Is he a crusader who's going to finally whip a corrupt, apathetic force into shape, or an interloping by-the-book bureaucrat who can't possibly understand the neighborhood and will do more harm than good? The movie is gratifyingly ambiguous on this point and many others. While Newman's character is almost by default the hero, he is far from perfect--most all the major characters get complex personalities, just like real people. The Bronx itself is given complex, thoughtful treatment as well, full of both overwhelming problems and hope for the future. Fort Apache, the Bronx also has action sequences, but doesn't make the mistake of reveling in violence. Here, black and white are far less defined and, consequently, far more satisfying. --Ali Davis Amazon.com

"You'll do better walking the beat in Beirut than you will here."

In the war zone of the South Bronx, the police of the 41st Precinct have the worst absentee record in the city, the most disability record claims, the least conviction per arrests, and there's nobody doing anything and the men aren't motivated...

The first petition of the new captain Dennis Connolly (Ed Asner) was to make it clear that there is zero progress on the investigation on the murders of two policemen (killed on the opening of the film by an addicted hooker played nicely by Pam Grier). For the good officer the case must be cleared even if his men have to take extraordinary measures to clear it...

Murphy (Newman) comes from three generations of cops... All his friends are cops... He gets drunk every night... He is essentially honest and he doesn't trust anyone but his partner, Corelli (Ken Wahl). He is attracted to Isabella (Rachel Ticotin) who happens to be a heroin addict...

The film turns dramatic first when a body is discovered after a fire... Death was caused by injuries sustained in a fall... Murphy and his partner witnessed the officer Morgan (Danny Aiello) throwing an innocent kid off the roof... And second when narcotics dealers took a bunch of doctors, nurses and patients hostage...

Paul Newman's performance is vulnerable, masking his sensitivity with arrogance and showing a flash of charm and humor... It is a story of an ordinary cop finding the courage to stand up and be counted... As portrayed by Newman he is touchingly believable...

August 7, 2008

For Me...It's A Classic.

I remember watching F.A., The Bronx as a kid in the 80's. I love it then but didn't understand it. Yeah, I guess you could say it was too 'deep' for me. But I enjoyed watching it. Maybe Pam Grier had something to do with it. Regardless, as I grew older memories of it started to fade but I still remembered the title of the movie, which I love.

Anyway, I enjoy the fact I can see a youngish Paul Newman; I think he looks good. As I started watching the movie, then I wondered what ever happen to Ken Wahl; he was huge in the eary 80's (I believe).

Pam Grier is stink-nasty hot! Seeing her stoned out & dirty, for me, was a treat! I don't take movie rating to seriously - it's a movie, which means entertainment. I was entertained so I give it a "thumbs-up". April 27, 2008

"Real Live Truth"

This movie is over 30 years old and shows how life was in the Bronx in New York City for police, crime, poverty, and drugs. I grew up in the Bronx and this movie comes very close to how things were. Paul Newman is brillant in his role, and this movie is filled with non-stop action. I'm glad I was able to find this on Amazon after all of these years!!!!

January 18, 2008

The Rotten Part of the Big Apple

The story is a well paced, gritty cop drama that side steps the usual Hollywood treatment of the good cop in the bad city, in this case the South Bronx (the film drew heat for it's realistic locations and hellhole depiction of the area). This is straight forwarded NY story telling. Paul Newman (Hud, Cool Hand Luke) is Patrolman Murphy, a veteran cop almost ready for retirement. His partner is Corelli (Ken Wahl) a younger man who tries to dress for success. Together they patrol their 40 block area with a population of 70,000. The beat looks like one of the German cities that was bombed flat in WWII. Ed Asner is the new precinct captain, wanting to get everything shipshape.

In response to a pair of cop killings by a deranged hooker, Asner orders the cops to roust the ghetto, resulting in a riot. Because of some rock throwing and heckling, a couple of cops throw an innocent boy off the roof of a building. Newman witnesses this and wrestles with his conscience about it. I think if the filmmakers would have stuck with just those plot points they would have had an excellent movie, however, they added many additional situations to give Newman more things to do. These included stopping a jumper, delivering a baby, saving hostages, and there are lengthy courting scenes for both Newman and Wahl. These stock plot devices derail what could have been a compelling story.

Paul Newman does a genuine job, as usual, playing Murphy with an admirable restraint. He puts the dramatic emphasis where it's needed and stays low-key otherwise. Ken Wahl also does a good job as Officer Corelli, a flamboyant guy, giving the older cop unsolicited advice, often. The byplay between the two cops is very good and believable. Supporting players include Ed Asner (Precinct Commander), Rachel Ticotin (Murphy's girlfriend), Pam Grier (Angel Dust Hooker), and Danny Aiello (cop). All of these players do a good job, but Pam Grier is basically wasted in a few brief scenes portraying a prostitute who kills people while under the influence of drugs. Of course, these inexplicable things do happen in real life so in that respect it makes sense. However, the film, rather than trying to play it straight with all the ambiguities of real life, puts in all these stock situations for Newman to react to thereby watering down the impact of the main story. I blame the writers and the director for not streamlining the screenplay, which has too many clichés.

Directed by Daniel Petrie, who mainly did TV, Fort Apache, the Bronx has serviceable visuals, particularly effective when showing the devastated landscape of the South Bronx. The cinematography is workmanlike but nothing special. If you don't mind an average film with a sad ending, Fort Apache, the Bronx might be for you.
January 4, 2008

Great movie, terrible DVD transfer

One of my favorite movies. Great script and performances. All that is spoiled by the DVD transfer. The video is dark and grainy. It is the same quality as the VHS version. August 19, 2007

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