The Force

Released Sep 15, 2017

1h 33m

Documentary

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The Force: Trailer 1

2:35

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87%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

65%

Audience Score

100+ Ratings

The Oakland Police Department and its members struggle to confront federal demands for reform, a popular uprising following events in Ferguson, Mo., and an explosive scandal.

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Tim Grierson

Paste Magazine

... we see why it's so hard for minorities to feel like they can trust those assigned to protect them. Two communities pull in opposite directions, perhaps permanently.

Oct 27, 2017

Full Review

Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

The result, unusual in a documentary involving the police and the public, is a film that does not advocate for anything but the truth, one that aims to show what happens on both sides of an issue rather than coming down in favor of one or the other.

Oct 20, 2017

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Peter Sobczynski

RogerEbert.com

A strong film that tackles a charged subject in a fair and even-handed manner. The Force will give viewers of all social and political persuasions much to think about afterwards.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 22, 2017

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Vadim Rizov

Filmmaker Magazine

Peter Nicks’s super-solid doc The Force covers the notorious Oakland Police Department over the course of two years...

Jan 11, 2023

Full Review

Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

His diffuse liberal outlook, however, proves thoroughly inadequate in the face of Oakland's high levels of poverty and the anger of its residents against their treatment at the hands of the police.

Feb 22, 2021

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Erica Ciccarone

Nashville Scene

Nicks quietly challenges what you think you know about both the police and the people who most often are killed by them.

Jun 17, 2019

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Audience Member

Oakland police cant hold a chief2014-2016

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A friend of mine worked as a hospice night nurse in the community for 20 years and said she saw police with obvious PTSD and bullet-ridden cars with blood all over the seats struck by gangs. Brave police of every color work in Oakland- no matter how screwed up they are. The real crazy there is the Mayor Libby Schaaf. She tells cops and journalists, "As Mayor of Oakland, we are ending an investigation of racist text messages sent by African American police officers that are wholly unacceptable and inappropriate from anyone who wears the badge as a police officer". Good little meeting, but of course, the media and community don't publicize that because it doesn't fit the DNC narrative. Instead, she goes on national TV and calls ICE agents trying to do their jobs "Racists", after she puts them in danger by alerting the criminals of their presence.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It is "one of a kind" documentary. I recommend it to all of us . . It is a display of a profession that requires adrenaline the moment the first sock gets put on for the uniform to follow. At first, the movie gives the impression that it's propaganda for the police department but in essence-what unfolds is the gamut of unforeseen consequences that follows when virtues are traded off thinking truth can be hidden. Truth demands respect - otherwise, it can become like a small water leak that when it gets ignored - it escapes through crevices of deceits until an opening allows it through without a side but Truth does not come alone. Truth comes with a Healing. In this documentary-the choreography of the music with its cinematography reaffirms the unique magic rubs on one when living in the East Bay Area. Truly a work of gifted minds and talents! I would have gone with a 5 but did not since there was no debriefing from the side of the police- which reinforced their traditional robotic imagery.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

'The Force' looks deeper into the real life drama and corruption of the Oklahoma Police Force, where a number of the controversial murders took place and the inception of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement. Capturing a lot of camera footage on the time and place these events occurred helps the viewers understand the general conflict the people as well as the city council have the force. For the most part, it almost feels like a real life drama for the sake of the film being an investigation on the reporting and independent journalism and for the most part that works. However, the lack of conventional interviews makes the documentary feel lackluster in offering counterproductive POVs up close or personal to ensure any compelling arguments that's happened over the past 3-4 years. The film itself is just, 'fine' for that matter, well made, edited, shot and it very eye opening into a modern central conflict between police force and general public that's not only captured the nation but the entire world. Insightful for the most part, but also bleak and not enough personal intersections to gether everything up at the end.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

alisha m

This is fabulous documentary. The filmmakers take great pains to be as objective as possible - showing the horribly, criminally bad and most certainly good and honorable sides of the Oakland Police force.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

With great balance, steady pacing, and thoughtful cinematography, the Force tells an interesting story with style and passion. While done well enough to hold the viewer's attention, production value never gets in the way of telling the story in a way that makes us feel as if we are riding along with the filmakers. A wonderful effort.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

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Peter Nicks

Director

Jonathan Cairo

Actor

Juan Carlos Zapata

Actor

Linda Davis

Writer

Lawrence Lerew

Writer

Peter Nicks

Writer

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The Force: Trailer 1

2:35

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Synopsis

The Oakland Police Department and its members struggle to confront federal demands for reform, a popular uprising following events in Ferguson, Mo., and an explosive scandal.

Director: Peter Nicks
Screenwriter: Linda Davis, Lawrence Lerew, Peter Nicks
Distributor: Kino Lorber
Production Co: Independent Television Service
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 15, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $58.2K
Runtime: 1h 33m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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