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Chiefs

  • TV Mini Series
  • 1983
  • 1h 7m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
Chiefs (1983)
CrimeDramaMysteryThriller

Three generations of police chiefs for a southern town go about their jobs while a serial murderer operates.Three generations of police chiefs for a southern town go about their jobs while a serial murderer operates.Three generations of police chiefs for a southern town go about their jobs while a serial murderer operates.

  • Stars
    • Charlton Heston
    • Keith Carradine
    • Stephen Collins
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    1.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • Charlton Heston
      • Keith Carradine
      • Stephen Collins
    • 35User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys
      • 4 nominations total

    Episodes3

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    TopTop-rated1 season1983

    Photos20

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    Top cast75

    Edit
    Charlton Heston
    Charlton Heston
    • Hugh Holmes
    • 1983
    Keith Carradine
    Keith Carradine
    • Foxy Funderburke
    • 1983
    Stephen Collins
    Stephen Collins
    • Billy Lee
    • 1983
    Brad Davis
    Brad Davis
    • Sonny Butts
    • 1983
    Tess Harper
    Tess Harper
    • Carrie Lee
    • 1983
    Wayne Rogers
    Wayne Rogers
    • Will Henry Lee
    • 1983
    Paul Sorvino
    Paul Sorvino
    • Sheriff Skeeter Willis
    • 1983
    Victoria Tennant
    Victoria Tennant
    • Trish Lee
    • 1983
    Billy Dee Williams
    Billy Dee Williams
    • Tyler Watts (aka Joshua Cole)
    • 1983
    Lane Smith
    Lane Smith
    • Hoss Spence
    • 1983
    Leo Burmester
    Leo Burmester
    • Emmett Spence
    • 1983
    Kaiulani Lee
    Kaiulani Lee
    • Mrs. Butts
    • 1983
    Novella Nelson
    Novella Nelson
    • Nellie Cole
    • 1983
    J. Kenneth Campbell
    J. Kenneth Campbell
    • Dr. Tom Manton
    • 1983
    James Brown Henderson
    • Pieback Johnson
    • 1983
    Leon Rippy
    Leon Rippy
    • Tommy Allen
    • 1983
    Paula Kelly
    Paula Kelly
    • Liz Watts
    • 1983
    Danny Glover
    Danny Glover
    • Marshall Peters
    • 1983
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews35

    8.11.9K
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    Featured reviews

    dlp

    Great Story: I would Give It A+

    Charlton Heston, was a great narrator in this series. Through three generations, how murders were happening under their noses. The murderer was among them. Each Chief investigated the murders. I didn't like Sonny Butts. He was a womanizer and likewise wasn't police material. They should have found another Will Henry Lee. It did keep your attention. However you know the murderer, from the first.
    hlw27

    Great Cast, good history.

    If you like movies about dusty, small southern towns that are hiding a crime/mystery/secret, then this one's for you! It has all of the elements to keep you watching. Centered around the police chiefs of the town and serial killer, over a long period of time. Psssst....The men who play the police chiefs are all great actors.
    magellan333

    A Masterpiece

    This movie will grab you and keep you in it's grasp from beginning to end! You find yourself cheering for one of the bad guy's at one point. The entire film is acted very well and it is interesting to see the characters and town age and change over time. I think Charlton Heston did a great job, better than Andy Griffith would have done had he gotten the role as planned. It was originally a mini series and it might take you two or three sittings to see the entire film, but when it is over you will be glad you did.
    Sargebri

    A Great Story

    This is definitely one story I wish someone would either release on DVD or show on television again. This is a wonderful story that shows is a wonderful look at how life was in the south as shown through the eyes of three generations of police chiefs. Wayne Rogers is great in his role as the first chief, Will Henry Lee, and Brad Davis is great as the racist chief Sonny Butts. However, Billy Dee Williams gives an outstanding performance as Chief Tyler Watts (aka Joshua Cole), the chief who manages to break the case that had been dogging the town for years. Also, Keith Carradine plays the perfect killer in Foxy. His portrayal of the maniacal serial killer really gave you the impression that he had a dark side. But the performance that really surprised me was Charleton Heston as town founder, Hugh Holmes. Normally, I'm not the biggest fan of Mr. Heston, but he turned out an outstanding performance as the man who is the tie to the three generations of police chiefs. This mini-series is definitely a classic.
    9mollymischief

    absolutely riveting with strong visuals

    My entire family was riveted to the "Chiefs". I feel that it is one of the best written and casted films to this day. I'd promote this movie until I die. It was intelligently written, eluding to hideous crimes without the overkill of blood and gore. Anyone that appreciates old cars, old cycles and vivid acting would benefit to rent, buy or borrow Chiefs. I like to tell anyone that will listen that they will be on the edge of their seats for most of the movie. I was a teenager when it came on TV. To this day I can remember how I felt during the 'handlebar scene'. Sad to say, this movie's plot is the first thing I think of every time I hear of a disappearance or kidnapping in the real world. I'd rate this as one movie I would want on my TV line up once a year. A remake is in order if it could be cast with such strong actors again.

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    Related interests

    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Andy Griffith was announced as part of the cast, but he became ill, and was replaced by Keith Carradine.
    • Goofs
      The hair on Billy Dee Williams's character, Chief Watts, temple and mustache change from gray and black to just black, and then back again.
    • Quotes

      Bobby Patrick: [Newton has arrested Tyler, and has him emptying his pockets] So, what's your name, high roller?

      Tyler Watts: My name's Tyler Watts,

      [slams badge onto counter]

      Tyler Watts: , but you can call me... CHIEF!

    • Alternate versions
      There is a video version that sometimes shows up on cable. It cuts the running time from six to four hours and mainly skims the middle story of Sonny Butts.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 36th Primetime Emmy Awards (1984)

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    FAQ18

    • How many seasons does Chiefs have?Powered by Alexa
    • When will this be released to DVD?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 13, 1983 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Die Polizei-Chiefs von Delano
    • Filming locations
      • Chester, South Carolina, USA
    • Production company
      • Highgate Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 7m(67 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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