BADGE 373

US, 1973, 116 minutes, Colour.
Robert Duvall, Eddie Egan, Felipe Luciano, Verna Bloom, Henry Darrow.
Directed by Howard W. Koch.

Another New York police saga based on incidents in the work of Eddie Egan (of The French Connection) who also acts in this film. It is well enough made of its type, tough cops, ruthless criminals, bus and car chase, bashings, etc. Robert Duvall plays the suspended policeman who remains a policeman at heart until death. But, whereas several films interpreted as seeking more power for police in our corrupt society are acceptable enough because of the values of the policeman, he has a sense of right and is not just trigger happy for justice sake - the hero of this film is a fanatic, obsessed with identifying with police, justice and right. He is brutal.

1. The impact of the title and the mood it created?

2. Audience reaction to police films? Sympathy for the police or not? Identification with the police? Especially as regards the worst of criminals?

3. The creation of atmosphere by the raid on the restaurant and the gambling? The immediate impressions of Eddie and the death of the Puerto Rican?

4. What impression of Eddie Ryan did the film give? Was it sympathetic? What kind of man was Eddie in himself? Did he have convictions and allegiances to the police? or was he merely oppressed with what he belonged to? his conduct, Language, attitudes to Puerto Ricans, etc? his behaviour during the raid and the chase of the man? the Puerto Rican death? Did he deserve being suspended from the police? What kind of sense of duty did he have in thinking he was a policeman forever?

5. Did the relationship between Eddie and Marina soften Eddie? give him any more human characteristics? Marina wanted him to be good to her but he was obsessed with his work. It was only when Marina was killed that Eddie manifested any real tenderness. Did he love her at all?

6. The impression made by Scanlan (the irony that this was the real Eddie Egan playing a part?)

7. How interesting was the case itself, deaths, mystery, guns, "Sweet William" and his plans? was this good thriller material? Why?

8. How interesting was Eddie's pursuit of the truth? what motivated him? obsessed him? the death of his friend. relationship made by his wife at the funeral, Rita and her death? Significance of the chase with the bus and Eddie's recklessness? His encounter with Sweet William and his being offered a job? Eddie's constant contact with Scanlan? Eddie's chase and being brutalised by the youths? His time in the river?

9. How brutal was Eddie in himself? How did this manifest itself in his job? Had he been less brutal with himself would he have been a less brutal policeman? Why? Given the nature of criminals, was Eddie's brutality at all justified?

10. The nature of the final shoot-out. and the death of Sweet William? Was Eddie entitled in any way to shoot Sweet William? Why did he do it? Did it fit in dramatically with the film? realistically,, morally?

11. Was this New York a real world or part fantasy?

12. Where do audiences sympathies lie in a film like this? With the Eddie Ryan type? And what he stands for? or against him? Why?

13. Are films like this helpful for public sympathy towards the Police? or not?