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Movie Info
When a gay man is viciously slain, Detective Joe Leland (Frank Sinatra) is put on the case. Joe eventually tracks down the victim's roommate, who confesses to the crime and is sentenced to death; however, the outcome of the case doesn't sit well with the detective. Norma (Jacqueline Bisset), a distraught widow, visits Joe. She believes her husband's death was no accident, but the cops don't seem to care. Joe begins to investigate, and stumbles on a cover-up related to his previous case.
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Genre: Crime, Drama, Lgbtq+
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Original Language: English
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Director: Gordon Douglas
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Producer: Aaron Rosenberg
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Writer: Abby Mann
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Release Date (Theaters): original
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Release Date (Streaming):
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Runtime:
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Distributor: 20th Century Fox
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Production Co: Arcola Pictures
Cast & Crew

Frank Sinatra
Detective Sgt. Joe Leland

Lee Remick
Karen Wagner Leland

Jacqueline Bisset
Norma MacIver

Ralph Meeker
Curran

Jack Klugman
Dave Schoenstein

Horace McMahon
Farrell

Lloyd Bochner
Dr. Roberts

William Windom
Colin MacIver

Tony Musante
Felix

Al Freeman Jr.
Robbie

Robert Duvall
Nestor

Gordon Douglas
Director

Abby Mann
Screenwriter

Aaron Rosenberg
Producer

Jerry Goldsmith
Original Music

Joseph F. Biroc
Cinematographer

Robert L. Simpson
Film Editing

William J. Creber
Art Director

Jack Martin Smith
Art Director

Walter M. Scott
Set Decoration

Jerry Wunderlich
Set Decoration

Moss Mabry
Costume Design

Donald Brooks
Costume Design
Critic Reviews for The Detective
Audience Reviews for The Detective
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May 12, 2014
Melodramatic, but daring for the time it came out with Frank Sinatra playing a hard-boiled, but surprisingly conscionable and politically correct detective investigating a gay homicide.
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Mar 16, 2013
Frank Sinatra gives a gritty performnce in the crime thriller The Detective. It is pretty clear that Sinatra wanted The Detective to be as good a movie as he could manage, It provides a clear, unsentimental look at a police investigation, and even the language reflects the way cops and the rest of us talk.
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Feb 09, 2013
Seeing how a "A Good Day To Die Hard" is about hit theaters here in the states I've chosen to take a look at the whole "Die Hard" series. Which some of you might be wondering what connection this movie has with "Die Hard". Well John McClane first made his debut on print in the novel "The Detective". That novel had a sequel called "Nothing Lasts Forever" that got adapted into the action classic "Die Hard" which makes "The Detective" the first time John McClane has ever appeared on screen and debatably makes this the first entry of the "Die Hard" series. "The Detective" is about police detective Joe Leland investigation on the murder of a homosexual man. While investigating, he discovers links to official corruption in New York City in this drama that delves into a world of sex and drugs. The story does have some interesting aspects like Joe Leland love life and him exposing corruption in the police department. However, when Joe Leland does actual detective work is when the film becomes dull. Scenes are often drawn out and some character reiterate things we already know. The case itself is nothing too interesting either. There is a brilliant twist towards the end, but aside from that twist the actual crime solving aspect leaves something to be desired. The plot in general is so-so as the change in quality in certain part of the story is clearly visible. Frank Sinatra is technically the first actor to play John McClane since the sequel novel was adapted and Frank Sinatra was even offered to reprise his role in "Die Hard" at the age of 73. He's brings a Oscar worthy performance with his portrayal. He carries the entire film on his shoulder even making some of the unintentional comedic moments be possible to take seriously. The rest of the supporting actors are good too. The editing could have been better. Some scenes could have been left out and certain scenes should have occurred later in the movie instead sooner. "The Detective" is too long for its own good only being saved by strong acting. "The Detective" wasn't a good film debut for John McClane, but to be completely honest it wasn't a bad either. It was slightly above average.
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Sep 26, 2009
I watched this because it was featured in the Celluloid Closet and it was pretty interesting and edgy for a Frank Sinatra movie. It kinda veers into a weird fantasy world towards the end but it was worth watching.
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