Deadly Hero

Deadly Hero (1975), was one of those low-budget films from the 1970s, that explored the idea of angry, rogue cops, who are ready to break and need to be brought down, by a vulnerable witness. The sub-genre idea, that terror wears a badge, would hit its peak by the end of the 1980s, with slasher films, like Maniac Cop (1988). Deadly Hero (1975), isn't a slasher flick, like Maniac Cop (1988), but did have the R-rating tag, for language and mature situations, of a criminal kind. A music teacher and professional cellist, Sally (Diahn Williams), is attacked in her apartment by Darth Vader (I mean, James Earl Jones as overzealous crook, Rabbit Shazam). The attending police officer, NYPD cop, Ed Lacy (Don Murray), rescues her, but it wouldn't be really considered, utilizing ethically-driven means. In the day or two after the incident, as Sally comes out of her shock, she realizes, she has to report what she knows to the police. Of course, Lacy cracks and begins to terrorize Sally, as this film unfolds.

Despite the low-budget aspect of this film, Deadly Hero (1975), does get off to a pretty good start, utilizing an interesting, 1970s style of filmmaking, which consisted of mounted cameras on cars and utilizing the NY cityscape, with unique angles, sometimes through fences or around building corners. The gritty, 1970s film-stock, gives the film, that style, needed to express the dirtiness of the city and the immoral atmosphere, of the plot. Aside from the interesting casting of James Earl Jones, just two years before Star Wars (1977), the rest of the cast is more of the character actor variety. That is not a knock on their work at all. All of these actors had successfully, lengthy careers in Hollywood. They just weren't star-studded careers. Another interesting casting in Deadly Hero (1975), was George S. Irving, as mayoral candidate Kevin Reilly. George S. Irving is most-famous for being the voice of the Rankin/Bass, classic Christmas character, the Heat Miser, from the stop-motion, tv special, the Year Without a Santa Claus (1974). Knowing that, makes seeing Deadly Hero (1975), all the more fun. You see, the stop-motion animators from the Year Without a Santa Claus (1974), patterned the Heat Miser's face after Irving's face, so watching this film makes it look like the Heat Miser, is running for Mayor of New York City. Hearing his voice was precious.

As I said, Deadly Hero (1975), does get off to a pretty good start, but the poor dialogue and low-budget aura of the production, starts to bring down the grade of the film. I was hovering around a grade of C or even as high as a B-, but in the second half of the film, it starts to spiral out of control, like Darth Vader's tie-fighter and crashes, with a ridiculously, cheap, final camera-shot. The camera still-shot, at the very end of the film, is almost embarrassing to see. It took Deadly Hero (1975), away from strong/very good territory and moved it into fair/good territory and made me give it a D. Still, there is plenty to enjoy, look at and take in, with Deadly Hero (1975), however you might throw something at the screen, by the time you get to the very end.

5.9 (D) = 6 IMDB.

I found this movie for 50p in a second-hand shop, and it's taken me a few months to get round and watch it, but i'm glad i did!

DON MURRAY is excellent in this movie, and i can feel for his character (untill maybe the final 10 minutes, or so) as a cop with 18 years clean service, a glittering side career ahead of him (championing a would-be mayor) and a loving wife and daughter. When this (seemingly, by-the-numbers) cop guns down an un-armed kidnapper (JAMES EARL JONES) during the act, the kidnapped lady (DIAHN WILLIAMS) feels a little uneasy about her saviors methods, and decides to change her statement to the D.A. The disgraced cop, finds his world crumbling around him (his mayor friend wants nothing to do with him, and his police precinct suspend him) so he decides to 'pursuade' the women, to re-think her statement. Unfortunately his methods border on psychotic.

To give away anything else, would be a crime (though i will say, it has a great ending!) as i watched the movie knowing nothing about it, whatsoever (the video i bought was such an old pre-certificate copy, it consisted of a front inlay card in a VHS cover. I'd say circa 1980, on the 'MAGNETIC' video label) and for a movie made in 1975, it is certainly gritty enough (the language and violence are quite coarse at times) but is a must for fans of 'bad-cop' cinema.

With not one bad performance throughout, this also marks TREAT WILLIAMS debut (plus a completely un-noticed one by a credited DANNY DE VITO) The movie can be seen as an early blueprint for 1992's UNLAWFUL ENTRY (with RAY LIOTTA, KURT RUSSEL) in that, we witness a gradual breakdown of a respected cop. But plot wise, this is a very daring movie for it's time (and would still be deemed too controversial today!) lacking the total sleaze and religious subtext as BAD LIEUTENANT, it is more of a rarely seen curio, on lines with ORDER OF DEATH (with HARVEY KIETEL and JOHN LYDON) But is also a stunning (yet little-seen) classic, which poses the question of police rights and police wrongs. A great movie, made all the more meaningful for it's apparent obscurity.

10 out of 10, seek it out now (a DVD release would also be welcomed!)

Don Murray, in an intense, forceful performance, plays Ed Lacy, a well-regarded NYC law officer and 18 year veteran of the force. One night, he shoots and kills Rabbit (James Earl Jones), a flamboyant extortionist who terrorizes conductor / musician Sally (Diahn Williams) inside her apartment. The twist is that Sally soon develops doubts about her saviour; as her memory of that night returns, she believes that Rabbit was unarmed when he was gunned down. When she changes her story, an increasingly unhinged Lacy resorts to threatening and scaring her.

This is a good, gritty NYC cop drama, directed in efficient no-frills fashion by Ivan Nagy. It gets most of its juice from commanding central performances. While at first one might feel some sympathy towards Lacy, as they see a promising career go down the drain, he ultimately reveals a very dark side to his personality. The lovely Diahn Williams is appealing, while Jones gets to have some fun playing a decidedly offbeat antagonist. Several familiar faces in the cast include Lilia Skala, Treat Williams (playing Lacy's partner, in his film debut), Hank Garrett, Dick Anthony Williams, Conchata Ferrell, and Josh Mostel. Danny DeVito is listed in the end credits, but is hard to spot.

The film is admittedly violent, but the narrative (by Don Petersen, inspired by a real life story) is compelling, especially when it's told from Lacy's perspective. Location shooting and a vibrant music score by Brad Fiedel & Tom Mandel are definite assets (this was one of the earliest scores for Fiedel, who's best known for his "Terminator" theme).

This seems to be a largely forgotten film nowadays, but any movie lover who's fond of 70s cop / crime cinema will likely find it interesting if they seek it out.

Seven out of 10.

A surprising cast for a small movie tries hard but the result seems a bit unfocused. Several scenes seem redundant and really unnecessary. As rogue cop movies go "Deadly Hero" hits the mark almost but it just feels somewhat choppy. For instance, James Earl Jones character has zero back story as to his motivation. The scenes with children in class singing appear several times and do nothing to move the story forward. I liked it but think the film needed more focus on the story and less on time fillers. MERK.

Deadly Hero is a wonderful Don Murray vehicle. After seeing this movie, one can only wonder why he did not receive more opportunities to display his tremendous acting ability. Diahn Williams also does a fine job with her role, which would be her first and last big screen role. And of course, I must mention James Earl Jones, who also delivers a fine performance. Great use of color within this film also is a plus. Lastly, the dated orchestra/dance scenes are hilarious and fun to watch. This movie is a great hidden gem-if you can still find it at a video store, do the right thing and rent this entertaining film.