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Detective Story

Released Nov 6, 1951 1h 43m Crime Drama List
72% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
James McLeod (Kirk Douglas) is a stern police detective who has no tolerance for crime. At home, however, he is a loving husband to his wife, Mary (Eleanor Parker). The police are ready to conclude the case of abortionist Karl Schneider (George Macready), who is responsible for the death of at least one patient, but McLeod's hatred for the doctor prolongs the investigation. The detective soon uncovers a dark secret that threatens to destroy his sanity and ruin his life.
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Detective Story

Critics Reviews

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Richard Brody New Yorker The drama’s tension involves the destructive extremes of masculinity, linking strength and courage with pitiless judgment and sexual domination... May 9, 2022 Full Review Bob Thomas Associated Press Detective Story is a fascinating account of life in a New York police station. Aug 7, 2019 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Detective Story is a film that would suffer from a bad case of staginess were it not for William Wyler’s fluid direction. We’re never bothered by a lack of mobility because there doesn’t seem to be any. Rated: 3.5/4 Dec 5, 2022 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand It’s a roll call of cop clichés and dated social issues sustained by good dialogue, fine performances and engaging characters... Nov 22, 2022 Full Review Nell Dodson Russell Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Under William Wyler's skillful handling, the camera follows the disintegration of Detective Jim McLeod at the same time that it records the drama behind the scenes of a big city precinct station. Jan 15, 2022 Full Review André Bazin Cahiers du Cinéma The set of Detective Story has just three walls, however, and the camera is irredeemably pressed up against the invisible fourth wall -- an easy strategy, to be sure, but on that is hardly forgivable in a director of such quality. Jan 5, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jack R Great old dick movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/24/22 Full Review william d Despite a rather weak story I was cruising along, enjoying the film, if only for the 1950s Hollywood tough guy lingo. Then the dramatically overwrought ending hit and I felt I had just wasted my time. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review paul d William Wyler's Detective Story is an excellent film. Wyler adapted it from a successful stage play and he had the genius intuition to change the staging very little. With so much of the film taking place in a stage-like room and it's adjacent areas, we have a sense of intimacy and familiarity with the characters. It is full of great character actors and has a towering performance from Kirk Douglas. His trademark intensity, burning anger and primal, physical energy was on display for the full length of the movie, and he has probably never been better. The delicate subject matter was handled beautifully, pushing to the censorship limits of the day yet transmitting everything we need to know with empathy and respect. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review s r Impressive cop story showing a day in the life of a detective who is in search of justice. It got really heavy, but good with the plot taking a turn for the serious. Really a first rate production and something that could be reproduced. It was on paramount. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Tom M Great story and cast wasted on Douglas' character. It's written far too outrageously to have a serial over-actor like Douglas portray it. Remainder of cast from Parker to Bendix to underrated McMahon are all a pleasure to watch. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 12/16/20 Full Review steve d Interesting story extremely well acted. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Detective Story

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Movie Info

Synopsis James McLeod (Kirk Douglas) is a stern police detective who has no tolerance for crime. At home, however, he is a loving husband to his wife, Mary (Eleanor Parker). The police are ready to conclude the case of abortionist Karl Schneider (George Macready), who is responsible for the death of at least one patient, but McLeod's hatred for the doctor prolongs the investigation. The detective soon uncovers a dark secret that threatens to destroy his sanity and ruin his life.
Director
William Wyler
Producer
William Wyler
Screenwriter
Sidney Kingsley, Robert Wyler, Philip Yordan
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 6, 1951, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2012
Runtime
1h 43m
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