Shot on the streets of East Harlem, Frankenheimer’s juvenile delinquency movie has Burt Lancaster’s honest, hard-working Assistant DA Hank Bell caught between two street gangs – the Thunderbirds and the Horsemen – while seeking justice for Roberto Escalante, a blind member of the Horsemen who is murdered in broad daylight by Italian punks Danny (Stanley Kristien), Arthur (John Davis Chandler), and “Batman” (Neil Nephew).
Hank discovers that Danny is the son of his old neighbourhood flame Mary diPace (Shelley Winters).
Features Puerto Rican gang members dressed like The Specials restyled by The Cramps, and the delightful cynicism of Telly Savalas (making his film debut as a cop).
The gang fight scenes, acting and camera work are brilliant, although the plot is questionable.
Hank Bell
Burt Lancaster Karin Bell
Dina Merrill R. Daniel Cole
Edward Andrews Mrs Escalante
Vivian Nathan Mary DiPace
Shelley Winters Randolph
Larry Gates Detective Lt. Gunderson
Telly Savalas Louisa Escalante
Pilar Seurat Angela Rugiello
Jody Fair Jenny Bell
Roberta Shore Dr Walsh
Milton Selzer Judge
Robert Burton Barton
David J. Stewart Danny DiPace
Stanley Kristien Arthur Reardon
John Davis Chandler Anthony “Batman” Aposto
Neil Nephew
Director
John Frankenheimer
Video
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