Madigan (1968)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Don Siegel

Writers:

Richard Dougherty (novel)
Abraham Polonsky (screenplay)

Release Date:

March 1968 (Austria)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

"If Detective Madigan kept his eyes on the killer instead of the broad..."

Plot:

Policemen Bonaro and Madigan lose their guns to fugitive Barney Benesch. As compensation, the two NYC...

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Fugitive | Police | Police Commissioner | Mistress

Cast

Richard Widmark	...	Det. Daniel Madigan
Henry Fonda	...	Commissioner Anthony X. Russell
Inger Stevens	...	Julia Madigan
Harry Guardino	...	Det. Rocco Bonaro
James Whitmore	...	Chief Insp. Charles Kane
Susan Clark	...	Tricia Bentley
Michael Dunn	...	Midget Castiglione
Steve Ihnat	...	Barney Benesch
Don Stroud	...	Hughie
Sheree North	...	Jonesy
Warren Stevens	...	Capt. Ben Williams
Raymond St. Jacques	...	Dr. Taylor
Bert Freed	...	Chief of Detectives Hap Lynch
Harry Bellaver	...	Mickey Dunn
Frank Marth	...	Lt. James Price

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

UK:X (original rating) | Iceland:12 | West Germany:16 (f) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (1968) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:12

Filming Locations:

57th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

The Portrait hanging in Commissioner Russell's office is of Theodore Roosevelt, who at one time was New York City Police Commissioner.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Mask (1985)

A remarkable, adult police drama with strong performances

While I was watching this quite brilliant film I was constantly thinking about the greatly written passages that can be heard throughout. In addition to that, Siegel's direction is never less than gripping and helps the story with flashes of genius. The acting benefits from a perfect casting in which no one seems out of place. I enjoyed Richard Widmark and Henry Fonda, of course, but also James Whitmore who around 25 years later also excelled in Frank Darabont's "The Shawshank Redemption". A fine film such as "Madigan" must have a powerful ending and that's the case here. The last 10 minutes show Siegel's mastery at his best. The final shooting comes unexpectedly and smartly gets to the point. Cop movies can be good or bad, but should always be truthful. I recommend "Madigan" just for that.