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Sharky's Machine

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Sharky's Machine

R

Released Dec 18, 1981

1h 59m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

An Atlanta vice-squad detective (Burt Reynolds) loves a high-class call girl (Rachel Ward) linked to politics and a mob boss (Vittorio Gassman).

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Nigel Floyd

Time Out

Unfortunately, Reynolds the director is as uncertain about the tone of the picture as Reynolds the star is about his screen persona

Dec 11, 2018

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William Thomas

Empire Magazine

Reynolds was coasting at this point of his career, with zero risk-taking it ends up as a soulless, below-average movie.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 11, 2018

Full Review

Janet Maslin

New York Times

A tough, loud, bloody movie, and an enveloping one, too.

Dec 11, 2018

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...the movie progresses into a padded-out and mostly tedious midsection...

Rated: 2/4

Apr 3, 2022

Full Review

Rick Chatenever

Santa Cruz Sentinel

Overall, Sharky's Machine manages to get enough good stuff onto the screen to suggest that Reynolds is at least a competent director but undoes most of its good effects long before it reaches its sordid climax.

Nov 20, 2019

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Violent noir crime drama.

Rated: B-

May 31, 2016

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Audience Member

A great ensemble cast with plenty of room and screen time for all. There's some great character moments rife with humor, real human connection and friendship. It works as a buddy cop actioner and a deliberately paced modern day noir. Great finger cutting scene and one of the best final shots in cinema history. Unfortunately, Burts last good effort.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/02/25

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Shawn R

This is a favorite movie for me of Burt's.. it is fabulous!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

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John P

Fantastic opening sequence, Reynolds at his peak, great story, Rachel Ward WOW, killer theme song, plenty of great one liners, Brian Keith priceless, I could go on. If you haven’t seen this new classic do it, you won’t be disappointed!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/24

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Steve D

Some of it hasn't aged well but overall it is still an interesting thriller.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/11/23

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Audience Member

I've always been a Burt Reynolds fan. His 70's - 80's series of crime films were really fun, and none more then Sharky's Machine. I like Henry Silva too, and he was great as Billy Score. There was nothing fancy in this picture, which Burt also directed; just a bunch of washed up detectives who fell into a murder case. Vittorio Gassman, Earl Holliman, Rachel Ward, and Charles Durning were all great. A fun picture with Burt in the lead role.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

delysid d

to me, this is a very special film indeed

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/17/21

Full Review

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Burt Reynolds

Director

Burt Reynolds

Sgt. Tom Sharky

Rachel Ward

Dominoe

Vittorio Gassman

Victor Scorelli

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Synopsis

An Atlanta vice-squad detective (Burt Reynolds) loves a high-class call girl (Rachel Ward) linked to politics and a mob boss (Vittorio Gassman).

Director: Burt Reynolds
Producer: Hank Moonjean
Screenwriter: Gerald Di Pego
Production Co: Orion Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 18, 1981, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 59m
Sound Mix: Surround

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