Directed by: Barry Shear
Written by: Wally Ferris; Luther Davis
Starring: Anthony Quinn, Yaphet Kotto, Anthony Franciosa, Richard Ward, Paul Benjamin
Disguised as cops, three black crooks steal a big amount of cash after killing five syndicate runners and two policemen. The NYPD and the Mafia react with immediate concern.
Tough police veteran Captain Frank Mattelli (Anthony Quinn) resents the intrusion of Lieutenant Pope (Yaphet Kotto), a black detective, in the case, while Mafia boss Don Gennaro (Frank Mascetta) sends his paranoid son-in-law, Nick D'Salvio (Anthony Franciosa), to reassert control over the Harlem branch and see that the money is recovered.
The black syndicate up in Harlem, headed by Doc Johnson (Richard Ward) and his assistant Shevvy (Gilbert Lewis), rejects D'Salvio, while promising only token help. So Nick and Shevvy rip through the city, doing whatever they can, and killing whoever they want, to get any info on who stole the money.
Anthony Quinn is pretty good as the aging detective who has long ago realized that all his efforts are not going to do more than take a small bite out of crime, but he is not above taking a bribe from a racketeer. His method of dealing with a reluctant witness is to hit hard first and ask questions later. The rigorously legal approach to police work, as exemplified by Yaphet Kotto, is not for Quinn. But these two opposites must work together to prevent the Mafia from committing any more sadistic executions.
This film always seems to get categorized as a blaxsploitation film. I disagree. In my opinion, it's more in the league of 'Serpico' or 'The Taking of Pelham One Two Three' and other gritty crime dramas from the early 70's. But I guess it could get called a blaxsploitation film because of the presence of some of that sub-genre's mainstays.
Final Verdict: See It
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