Fort Apache, the Bronx

1981 "No cowboys, no Indians, no cavalry to the rescue, only a cop."
6.7| 2h5m| R| en| More Info
Released: 06 February 1981 Released
Producted By: 20th Century Fox
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

From the sight of a police officer this movie depicts the life in New York's infamous South Bronx. In the center is "Fort Apache", as the officers call their police station, which really seems like an outpost in enemy's country. The story follows officer Murphy, who seems to be a tuff cynic, but in truth he's a moralist with a sense for justice.

Genre

Drama, Action, Crime

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Fort Apache, the Bronx (1981) is currently not available on any services.

Director

Daniel Petrie

Production Companies

20th Century Fox

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Fort Apache, the Bronx Audience Reviews

AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks
Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.
Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.
Geraldine The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
HotToastyRag The beginning of this movie is pretty long. To be honest, until Paul Newman hits on Rachel Ticotin, it's pretty boring. Cops work hard, the streets are riddled with crime, and for the first thirty minutes, that message is drummed into our heads. Then it gets good.Fort Apache, the Bronx isn't a buddy cop movie, and it isn't a romance, and it isn't really a "people are mean" movie. It follows Paul Newman, who's been a cop in the same neighborhood for fourteen years, as he works, struggles, and falls in love. By day, he deals with cop-killers, hookers, pimps, and junkies, and problems in the bureau. He's not the classiest guy in the world, so when he fills his nights with romance, he doesn't exactly pick the classiest girl in the world.I don't normally like older Paul Newman movies, since a lot of them focus on his age rather than anything else. In this film, Newman gives a surprisingly good performance, and a very different one than he usually gives. He lays the accent and commonness of his character on pretty thick, but it works, because pretty soon, you've forgotten that it's Paul Newman. He really becomes the beat cop, not the stereotypical bad boy with an attitude problem that Newman usually plays. I won't spoil anything, but there's one scene towards the end when his character finally "loses it", and it's truly heartbreaking. Newman famously said in real life that "acting is like letting your pants down; you're exposed", and in that scene, you really understand what he means. He's stripped of any acting gimmicks and shows the audience his raw emotions.Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to some violence and disturbing scenes, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
thinker1691 From the actual true lives of several New York police officers, comes the Inspiration for Heywood Gould and this movie called " Fort Apache, the Bronx. " Director Daniel Petrie tried to mirror the harsh living conditions which surround the actual police station which is located in the very heart of the Bronx. Here one eighteen year police veteran (Paul Newman) named Murphy guides his partner Officer Corellie (Ken Wahl) through the work-a-day routine of being a cop on the streets of the neighborhood. It's not an easy task, indeed is a murderous nightmare for them and their fellow policemen when they have to deal with every manner of street criminal from drug addicts, prostitutes, pimps, elusive thieves, murderers and inner corruption within the police force. Their job becomes more difficult when Connolly a by-the-book, no nonsense, Police Captain (Edward Asner) takes charge of the precinct. In addition, Murphy is witness to a murder when one of his own men is charged. Finally, there is the fact that a burned out, strung-out prostitute (Pam Grier) is sought for the cold blooded killing of two rookie policemen. The movie is harsh in it's abject portrayal of the dark, gritty, street life and that includes the troubled lives of the men in blue. This movie which gave rise to films like 'Hill street blues and the streets of New York is very graphic. If you're looking for a true life cop story, this is pretty close. Mild nudity but Recommended ****
sharky-s I love this film, it was the second video that I ever rented and it plays like a really gritty version of "Hill Street Blues", (I think they came out the same time). Everything to me, works in this film, it's a real ensemble piece, Ed Asner, Ken Wahl, Danny Aiello and a great turn by a then unknown Rachel Ticoton and although it takes a downbeat turn in the last quarter, the film has an uplifting ending that works really well. It's such a shame that Paul Newman's performance, which has to be one of my favourites, has been forgotten and I would love to see a better DVD version from Fox/HBO in the near future - it certainly deserves better. Cheers, Dan.
Camera Obscura Some movies can rely on atmosphere and acting skills alone. This is one of them. The plot is flimsy, and the setting and most characterizations a bit unlikely (but extremely well acted), and the film might recycle many cop-series clichés, but why carp? I expected little more than a gritty urban cop-flick, which it is, but it also proves to be very successful as a heart-felt human drama, thanks in large part to a prime cast with Paul Newman, Edward Asner, Ken Wahl, Rachel Ticotin, Danny Aiello and Pam Grier in a small but extremely creepy part as a deranged homicidal hooker. Paul Newman is excellent as a tough tired Officer Murphy and his partner, Ken Wahl, at least 30 years his junior, is one of the very few characters in the film blessed with an almost unbendable optimism, but he is in no way naive. He has a strong sense of realism and pride and, in many ways, represents Newman's moral conscience and ratio.The world here is without glamour. It's all very raw and real - not necessarily a realistic setting, but with believable characters - and that makes the whole thing work. It's not formulaic, and never seems to go where you expect it. The film has a downbeat neon-lit dark photography by John Alcott. Depressing, but perfectly matching the mood. It's simple, straightforward, unpretentious, and s basically a portrait of human tragedy. Don't expect flashy car chases or fast action. There's plenty of violence, but it seems to be a way of life, rather than serve as sensationalism, but proves to be a all the more effective. Worth seeing.Camera Obscura --- 9/10