Código do Silêncio

1985 was perhaps the peak year for action star Chuck Norris, with three big hits released. This was the second one out, and it's arguably one of the best made of his career. It still manages to make enough mistakes to limit its appeal, though. Chuck stars as a Chicago cop caught in the middle of a bloody drug war between the Italian mafia and Colombian drug lords. He's also having trouble at work, where a burn-out veteran detective involved in a bad shooting incident asks Chuck for support, which he denies, and most of the force turns against him because of it. Co-starring Henry Silva as the head Colombian, Bert Remsen as the police captain, Molly Hagan as a mobster's daughter, John Mahoney, and Dennis Farina in his largest role to date. He was still on the job as a real Chicago policeman at the time, but he would turn to acting full-time the following year, with a major role in Manhunter and the lead in the TV series Crime Story.

The mood is much grittier than in most Norris films, and the Chicago location shooting adds a lot of atmosphere. Much of the story is more than a little cliched, though, and the finale takes things into 80's action film absurdity. Several of the earlier action scenes are well mounted, a trademark for director Andrew Davis (Under Siege, The Fugitive).

Sgt Eddie Cusack , Chuck Norris , is a tough cop who makes his own rules in the noisy city of Chicago , as he faces off warring mob families , led by Henry Silva and Mike Genovese , and corrupt police officers , while his own comrades shun him . At the same time , he saves a damsel in distress , Molly Hagan , who has been kidnapped by an extremely villain mobster.

This thrilling film has a lot of killings , shootouts , car pursuits , violence , profanity and no-nonsense action . Its is a ¨Dirty Harry¨ formula action movie with the great Chuck as a loner on Chicago police force . Here Norris proved to be the heir to Chuck Norris as the king of the vigilante movie , as Norris acts as a judge , jury and executioner ; besides , he does his own stunts . Norris is caught in a middle of a gang war , but is helped by a shooter-machine called ¨Prowler¨ and he then takes the law on his own hands and smack down baddies . Norrris steals the show as a merciless police officer , giving a right-on-target acting and as one army man . At the American box-office, at the time this movie was first released in cinemas, this film became the third most financially successful Chuck Norris picture after Missing in action (1984) and Delta Force . Support cast is pretty well , such as Henry Silva , Ron Dean , John Mahoney , Allen Hamilton , Bert Remsen , and Dennis Farina was actually working as a real life police officer in Chicago, Illinois during the production of this picture. Actress Molly Hagan and actor Joe Guzaldo both received 'introducing' credits.

It contains an atmospheric Musical score by by David Michael Frank . Evocative and colorful cinematography by Frank Tidy .The motion picture was well directed by Andrew Davis , a filmmaker with a reputation for directing intelligent thrillers . He has directed good films as ¨Above the law¨, ¨The final terror¨ , ¨Chain reaction¨ , ¨Collateral damage¨ , ¨The Package¨ and Davis went on to direct 1992's top grossing picture, Under siege (1992), for Warner Brothers, a classic action film teaming Steven Seagal with Tommy Lee Jones . Being his greatest hit ¨The fugitive¨ , this film received seven Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and earned Tommy Lee Jones a Best Supporting Actor award. Andrew frequently casts 'Ron Dean', Joseph F. Kosala, Joe Pantoliano and his father 'Nathan Davis' . He often directs in his city : Chicago .

*****SOME SPOILERS***** Eddie Cusack, Chuck Norris,is both though and honest. During an impending drug raid on the Comacho mob by Cusack's undercover crew their interrupted by the Luna mob who kill eight Comacho gang members.

Luis Camacho, Henry Silva, the head of the Comacho mob vowed revenge and a full scale gang war erupts in Chicago. During the police raid officer Cragie, Ralph Foody, shoots an innocent boy down in cold blood and then plants a gun on him to cover it up. In full sight of his startled partner officer Kopalas, Joe Guzaldo.

With most of her family murdered by the Comacho mob, Cusack rescues Diana Luna, Molly Hagan, and hides her with a friend of his Ed Pirelli, Allen Hamilton, until he can get her to the safety of the police. Meanwhile at the police hearing of the shooting of the boy by Cragie, Cusack testifies that he wrote a memo some time ago that Cragie should be taken off the streets. Cusack says "30 years on the streets is too much for anyone" plus he saw that Cragie was not only a threat to those that he dealt with but also to his fellow police officers.

The Comacho mob finds where Cusack hid Diana and after murdering Pirelli who was hiding her takes her hostage. Cusack going to the Comacho mob headquarters calls for backup but his fellow policemen let him go at it alone and don't come to his aid since he broke the "Code of Silence" in regards to taking against a fellow police officer. Cusack gets brutally beaten by the Comacho mob and is told that if he doesn't bring them Diana' father Tony Luna, Mike Genovese, she'll be dead by morning.

Cusack finding out that Tony Luna is arriving at the Chicago train station from Wisconsin where he was in hiding tries to arrest him. In a wild shootout and car chase Luna is killed in a car smash up as Cusack was chasing him through the city streets. With nothing left for him to negotiate for Diana's life and with his fellow policemen treating him as a leper an not coming to his aid Eddie Cusack is now left to take on the entire Comacho mob by himself. In a last and desperate attempt to save Diana's life.

Chuck Norris's best movie by far with more story and less action then Norris movies usually have. Few as they are the action scenes are far more effective and exciting when they come on the screen. Because of the much more superior writing they don't come off cheap and monotonous like they usually would in a Chuck Norris action movie.

With great heart stooping shoot-outs in the beginning and end of the movie and an exciting and terrifying chase on top of the Chicago El Train in the middle of the film makes "Code of Silence" with out a doubt Norris's best movie ever. Norris's acting has also improved when he's directed to talk more and fight less which director Andrew Davis allowed him to do.

As I sat down, I wasn't expecting much even with the constant praise I read about this particular Norris effort. So to my surprise, I usually can't help but grin, or chuckle whenever watching one his films (humorous or not), but "Code of Silence" altered that perception. Well just say up until that waterlogged, lonesome gung-ho final curtain call into heroic pulp territory. Now then I couldn't help but raise a smirk, and go along with the fantasy. What really pushes this one along; is that it's professionally directed with balls and vigorous energy by Andrew Davis. The well-plotted material keeps you involved, while even following the standard textbook cop drama elements. The honest script has some cringe moments, but never becomes brainless. Just look at the witty humour and turmoil drama (a real concentration on loyalty from the cops to the criminals) that's thrown in, it fits along with everything that opens up in the meaty plot.

So it begs the question. How was our star? Norris's competently does a fine job. His easy-going nature, brought to the screen a comfortable performance, even when he wasn't kicking ass. And we know how good he's at the latter, but his acting turn here had a rather genuine feel to his character. Even though he's one man antics cross the line. He doesn't need a partner. Hell, just sack the entire police force as you can see by the results. Norris is capable enough. He got game. Henry Silva's stoically vicious drug lord villain, was a sturdy show-in and Molly Hagan admirably delivers. Ralph Foody amuses as a burnt-out cop.

Nothing about this project is award winning material, but assured catering in nearly every field makes it better than just your average cop drama. A confidently good-looking production, is filled with well-placed set-pieces and sweaty stunk work infused by its snappy pace and an uncannily, upbeat music score. The urban setting is put to great-use and fashionably-captured shots.

Quite an exciting and always on the move action yarn, which has a little more thought behind it than you might think.

During the 1980's, Chuck Norris was a big star who starred in many sub par action flicks. Code of Silence(1985) is one of the raw exceptions where the action and story blends together. Code of Silence's story seems to take its roots from the Italian police thrillers of the 1970's. The locales of Chicago are beautifully shown.

Code of Silence(1985) along with Aliens(1986) contained some of the most slam bang action sequences during that period. There are two remarkable scenes that define the movie. First, the fight on top of the elavated subway. Second, the climax where Chuck takes on an entire group of villains on his own.

The sub plot involving a corrupt cop who covers up an accidential shooting adds some realism to the film. The title refers to the code that policemen uphold among themselves. Code of Silence(1985) deals with police corruption in a frank and honest many that many action specialist in the 1990's would be afraid to tackle. This is the only Police thriller I've seen where no one helps the main hero.

The director, Andrew Davis has created characters who always fight against corruption...E.G., Above the Law(Nico), The Package(Agent), Under Siege(Casey), and The Fugitive(Richard). Henry Silva is fantastic as the cool and cold blooded Luis Comacho. Dennis Farina is his usual sarcastic self in the role of a policeman named Dorato. The funniest scene is when two people attempt to rob a bar that's full of Police officers.