Badge 373

I really tried to like this movie. In fact, I was excited to get it for a number of reasons: Robert Duvall, an Eddie Egan vehicle, and it being an early 1970's cop movie filmed in New York City. Many of the things I like. But I was sorely disappointed. I just don't follow the attraction to this film. In the wake of such Seventies superstar films like 'Dirty Harry', 'The French Connection', and 'Shaft' among others ('The Seven-Ups' is a great example of a lesser known film but equally as exciting), 'Badge 373' is a slow-moving, poorly acted, long, uninspiring, and less than memorable movie which surprisingly detours half-way through. Duvall is at best fair and Egan is painful in watching him deliver his robotic lines. Direction by Howard Koch is unimaginative and dark in many areas. A fairly exciting chase sequence involving a NYC transit bus along with a decent performance by Verna Bloom as Duvall's long suffering girlfriend, some noticeable non-PC slurs and a decent aerial view of lower Manhattan gives this movie its only credibility.

"When a man's partner is killed...You're supposed to do something about it"...Sam Spade..."The Maltese Falcon"

Do Something Duvall Does.

It Takes the Defrocked Cop to the Underbelly of the Puerto Rican Community in New York City that is Rife with Talk of Revolution in the Homeland.

Robert Duvall, in His First Starring Role, is a Powerhouse of Politically Incorrect Racist Rants and Fearless Behavior as He Bulldozes through Crime Gangs and Crime Lords.

It's a Dour Movie that Strips Away any Pretension of Police Hero-Worship.

A Movie so Bleak and Uncomfortable that it was Pummeled even on its Release-Date as so Offensive, in 1973, that Few Found it anything but Deplorable.

Viewed Today, it is Curious bit of Moviedom that Marks its Territory with Brutal, Unlikeable Human-Beings.

Be it Cop or Thug.

That Makes the Movie a Cringe-Fest of Unfettered, Unpleasant , Post-Code "New Hollywood".

There is a Second-Act Chase Scene, Featuring a Public Transit Bus, Full of Terrified Passengers.

The Ex-Cop Exploits it for Personal Satisfaction with No Regard for the Innocent Lives.

He, seemingly, is so UN-Aware that He Giggles with Glee.

This Makes the Movie more of a Cartoon than a Gritty Neo-Noir.

There are Other Things that are Over-the-Top.

Like the Comic-Book Villain with a Huge In-Your-Face Mustache and Sunglasses.

This is a Guilty-Pleasure at Best.

Watching Duvall and All Taking the Zeitgeist of the Crime Film Renaissance and Going So Far as to be Ridiculous.

Based on the true story of officer Eddie Egan,, who also has a small part in this movie,, I found it to be urban gritty, and to the point,, after he get's suspended from the force for causing the death of a bad guy,, he takes up bartending part time.. he later find out that his partner was viciously gunned down,, now he must take action 'Dirty Harry" style,, he sets out on a mission with only one thing in mind,, get the man or men that killed his partner,, the bad guys are led by a character named "Sweet William" , and now the battle is on good vs. evil,, sure this isn't gonna win any awards by no stretch of the imagination and certainly pales compared to the French Connection,, but this is a movie worthwhile of you're time.

Badge 373 is an excellent movie that features Duvall at his best. He's better in this outing than he was in Let's Get Harry and Falling Down, which were also, arguably, some of Duvall's best works (that some could say were ruined by bad direction and a bad supporting cast). Not this time, though! The writing and direction are brilliant. The pace is a little bit too slow for an early 70s "cop" flick, but it's still above-average and a good find. Check it out and be amazed.

This is nowhere near as good as "The French Connection" by a long, long way. "Badge 373" is just business as usual, with nothing to commend it. Robert Duvall is given the lead for a change in his thinly-veiled portrayal of real life cop, Eddie Egan. Gene Hackman brought a great deal of depth and personality to his character of Popeye Doyle. Duvall wasn't able to do the same here. The plot is dull and predictable.