The Seven-Ups (1973)

Director:

Philip D'Antoni

Writers:

Albert Ruben (screenplay) and
Alexander Jacobs (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

14 December 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

When they're after you, you're gonna hope for a nice stretch in prison. Seven years...and up!

Plot:

A tough detective who is part of an elite New York City unit is trying to find out who killed his partner, but uncovers a plot to kidnap mobsters for money.

Plot Keywords:

New York | Kidnapping | New York City | Police | Car Chase

Cast

Roy Scheider	...	Buddy - Seven-Up
Victor Arnold	...	Barilli - Seven-Up
Jerry Leon	...	Mingo - Seven-Up
Ken Kercheval	...	Ansel - Seven-Up
Tony Lo Bianco	...	Vito Lucia
Larry Haines	...	Max Kalish
Richard Lynch	...	Moon
Bill Hickman	...	Bo
Lou Polan	...	Carmine Coltello
Matt Russo	...	Festa
Joe Spinell	...	Toredano
Robert Burr	...	Lt. Hanes
Rex Everhart	...	Inspector Gilson
David Wilson	...	Bobby
Ed Jordan	...	Bruno

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (TVC) | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 (uncut) (1989) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1974) | Iceland:16 | Norway:16 (1975) | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG (certificate #23673)

Filming Locations:

10th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Philip D'Antoni Productions Inc.

Trivia:

This was the only film to be directed by producer Philip D'Antoni.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Near the end of the chase scene, the suspect's car hides in front of a Greyhound bus. The destination sign on the bus says New York City. However, the bus is going north in "NJ" and thus away from NYC.

Quotes:

Insp. Gilson: There's something going on the boys downtown never told us about. Have you heard rumors of Mob kidnappings?
Buddy Manucci: [surprised] No. I thought it was about heavy artillery on the streets, that's all.
Lt. Jerry Hanes: Why the hell didn't you tell us? A squad from the Chief of Detectives' office is investigating stories about undercover police. Alleged police. Going around kidnapping wiseguys for ransom.
Buddy Manucci: [eyes widening] And they think it's us?
Insp. Gilson: Buddy, what would you think? What was Ansel doing with Cotello? A lot of people never wanted our outfit formed, you know that. They don't like the way we operate.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Spin off from The French Connection (1971)

Tough, gritty and taut

One of my favorites. As a child, growing up in the NY Metro area in the late 60s and early 70s, I was often afforded the opportunity to visit NYC with my grandfather or father, as they conducted business there. The gritty, bustling, human, reality of that city, particularly in winter, have stayed with me.

This film very aptly captures the stark, cold, matter-of-fact feel of the NYC winter season, while keenly exposing the underbelly of the region's infamous underworld of crime and policing. A great snapshot of a place and a time and a culture.

And the car chase is simply amazing. At least on par with the one in "Bullitt", and surpassing the chase in "The French Connection". I can watch, time and again, as the suspension comes unstuck on that Plymouth Fury police cruiser barreling toward the GW Bridge in pursuit, as it lurches into that sharp right curve, bouncing and scraping into oncoming traffic. The stunt driving coordinator for that scene did "Bullitt" and "The French Connection" as well as many other noatable movie chases. Good acting, too, and a decent plot line. The musical score is edgy and compelling, and the cinematography and direction are top notch. A great, if underrated 1970s cop drama. A keeper. Not out on DVD yet, though.

Comparable in style and content to: The French Connection and Super Fly. Early 1970's cop dramas set in the bleak NYC winter months.