Watch The Detective

The Detective is a 1968 American neo-noir crime drama film directed by Gordon Douglas and starring Frank Sinatra, Lee Remick, and Ralph Meeker. The film is based on the 1966 novel of the same name by Roderick Thorp. The plot follows Joe Leland (Frank Sinatra), a tough, independent detective in New York City who is investigating the murder of a homosexual man. As Leland delves deeper into the case, he encounters corruption within the police department and is forced to confront his own personal prejudices and biases.

The themes of the film are dark and gritty, tackling issues such as racism, homophobia, and police brutality. The film is set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement and the fight for equal rights, making it both timely and provocative for its time.

Sinatra delivers a powerful performance as Leland, capturing the character's toughness and vulnerability with equal measure. Remick is equally impressive as Karen, a troubled young woman who becomes romantically involved with Leland. Meeker is also notable as the corrupt police captain who serves as Leland's antagonist.

The film's visual style is stylish and atmospheric, with the gray, rain-soaked streets of New York serving as the perfect backdrop for the story. Douglas' direction is confident and assured, maintaining a slow-burning tension throughout the film that culminates in a shocking finale.

The Detective was notable for its frank depiction of homosexuality, which was still a taboo subject at the time. The film broke new ground in terms of how it portrayed gay characters, and despite some controversy surrounding its release, it was widely praised for its boldness and honesty.

Overall, The Detective is a powerful and compelling film that remains relevant and thought-provoking to this day. Its themes and issues are timeless, and it features strong performances from its talented cast.

The Detective is a 1968 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.