SimonJack There's no doubt that Frank Sinatra could act. With all his money and popularity as a singer, his political and other connections and interests, he just didn't seem to want to work too hard at it. So, his film portfolio includes just a few very good roles and movies – "From Here to Eternity," "The Manchurian Candidate," and this one, "The Detective." As a movie, it's not on the level of the other two; but Frank's role as Detective Joe Leland is on a par with his Private Angelo Maggio and Major Bennett Marco. This film was set in a time when police corruption, crooked cops and police brutality were at their peak in some of America's largest cities. Other movies would follow with these themes, and publicity grew as cities grappled with cleaning up the police forces and corrupt city administrations. Some later movies delve deeply into the feuding and infighting that developed between good and bad cops. The 1973 film, "Serpico" heads the list of great movies about exposing police and city corruption and cleaning up the forces. But, before then we have "The Detective," and Frank Sinatra's very good role of an honest and conscientious cop. This film covers crooked cops, police brutality, gay-bashing, infidelity, suicide, fraud, murder, mutilation and more. Other reviewers have noted that it provides a picture of the gay scene in the Big Apple at the time, and the general climate and treatment of gays by the police. The plot has some nice intrigue, but also some confusing pieces where the audience is left out of some connections. Perhaps those were left on the cutting floor in the film editing. Otherwise the story isn't particularly engaging. Mostly, we in the audience are meant to have some empathy for Joe in his struggles to be an honest cop. The rest of the cast all put in very good performances as well. Jack Klugman is an honest friend, Dave Schoenstein – the only one Joe can trust in the department. Ralph Meeker does the crooked copy very well as Curran. Lee Remick is OK as Joe's ex-wife, Karen; and a young Robert Duvall gives a great performance as the brutal cop, Nestor. At one point early in the film, a reporter is trying to get some information from Leland. The reporter says that he heard that Leland is the best detective in New York. He certainly was the best detective in this film. Overall, this is a good mystery and detective story. It's based a 1966 novel by the same title, written by Roderick Thorp.

mike dewey Admittedly, not on anyone's list of the greatest all time crime dramas, but I'll take it any time for its down-to-earth, no-holds-barred approach to fighting crime in the Big Apple of the late 60's. No Academy Awards will be doled out for this offering, but who cares!? Frank S. more than holds his own as a tough on the exterior but a warm on the interior policeman who has to walk the metaphorical tightrope in his day-to-day dealings with criminals, political hot-shots, departmental bureaucracy, fellow officers, etc. The story is rife with allusions to societal issues that were coming to the forefront in that time period: Gay rights, Civil rights, Police brutality, Sexual liberation, to name a few. Lee Remick shines superbly in her role as Frank's estranged wife, who has her own set of personal issues to deal with.The main plot thread of a wealthy man's son's murder potentially tied in with a prominent businessman's apparent suicide gives us a more than ample vehicle for a steady and interesting story line. The bantering between Frank's character and his fellow officers adds even more fuel to the goings-on here, especially concerning Robert Duvall's & Ralph Meeker's roles. Jackie Bisset has a more limited, yet very effective role as the deceased businessman's wife, and she carries it forward in an unobtrusive yet poignant manner. Lastly, I knew I was going to like the film when Jerry Goldsmith's introductory theme with the Bluesy, brassy New York sound hit my eardrums and literally set the tone for this fine production!

Lechuguilla Moody and slow-moving, "The Detective" tells the story of an uncompromisingly moral New York City detective named Joe Leland (Frank Sinatra) whose life pivots around his police work, dealing with petty criminals, murder cases, fellow cops biased against gays, and police corruption. It's a tough environment that can best be described as seedy, dreary, and depressing. But Joe is a tough cookie, smart, and up to the job. In his spare time he manages to find time for a little romance, but among the jaded and confused, what he finds is not entirely satisfying.The first sixty seconds sets up the film's overall tone: dark, gritty, seedy, and very urban, a tone reflected well in Jerry Goldsmith's jazzy score. Also notable is the film's production design, with its drab, sterile, greenish-gray interiors of the police department.Joe's police work, and much of the plot, centers on "homosexuals", described thusly: "twisted faces, outcasts, lives lived in shadows always prey to a million dangers" (cue depressing music and sinister images). If nothing else, the film shows how much cultural attitudes toward gays have changed in the intervening forty years. Also conspicuous in the film is the absence of computers and cell phones. All of which makes the film seem quite dated.The script is heavy on dialogue, with its emphasis on characterization instead of action. Scenes are drawn-out, and the pace is slow.Overall acting is average, though the wailing performance of Tony Musante as a sleazy homosexual is laughable.Conspicuously dated, "The Detective" at least gives us a benchmark for urban police work and attitudes of the 1960s. It's a dreary movie whose story is filled with alienated and guilt-prone characters. But that too provides some historical perspective.

ma-cortes This film is based on allegedly real deeds and adapted on novel by Roderick Thorpe and written credits by prestigious Abby Mann. It concerns about a N.Y. detective called Leland(Frank Sinatra) , he investigates the mutilation killing of a homosexual man. Leland encounters police and political corruption. Meanwhile, he has problems with his nymphomaniac spouse(Lee Remick).This is a fine noir film blending drama, suspense, thrills and excellent performances. This film displays strong scenes with gritty description of homosexuality and police brutality included. Casting is frankly awesome, as main cast, Sinatra and Remick, as secondary support, Ralph Meeker, Jack Klugman, William Windom, Al Freeman, Robert Duvall, Jacqueline Bisset and special mention for Tony Musante as tortured homosexual. Splendid and atmospheric musical score by the master Jerry Goldsmith. Colorful and appropriate cinematography by Joseph Biroc. The motion picture is superbly constructed by Gordon Douglas. This is the best work of his long career as filmmaker. He was a Hollywood veteran director, directing early movies(Little rascals, Spanky), Western expert(Chuka,Rio Conchos, Yellowstone Kelly, Only the valiant), and worked for Frank Sinatra in various films(Lady in Cement, Tony Rome, Robin and the 7 Hoods). Rating : Better than average, this is a high-class adult entertainment and to be liked Frank Sinatra fans.