Had-bitten homicide detective Tommy Blade (a fine crusty performance by John Marley) has to deal with corruption and intervention from various people after he starts investigating several murders committed by brutal martial arts-practicing misogynistic psychopath Frederic Peterson (a creepy and intense portrayal by Jon Cypher).
Director Ernest Pintoff, who also co-wrote the compact script with Jeff Lieberman, relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, makes good use of assorted grungy New York City locations, maintains a tough gritty tone throughout, and tosses in some ugly violence and tasty gratuitous female nudity for extra lurid measure. The sturdy cast of familiar faces helps a lot: Karthyn Walker as Blade's concerned writer girlfriend Maggie, William Prince as smarmy congressman Powers, Michael McGuire as the cynical Quincy, Joe Santos as Blade's no-nonsense partner Spinelli, John Schuck as huffy superior Reardon, and Keene Curtis as Powers's loyal aide Steiner. Morgan Freeman has a small role as the smooth leader of a black militant group. The raw documentary style and David Hoffman's rough hand-held cinematography provide a strong and vibrant sense of realism and urgency. The lush and lively score by John Cacavas does the rousing trick. Worth a watch.
Director Ernest Pintoff, who also co-wrote the compact script with Jeff Lieberman, relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, makes good use of assorted grungy New York City locations, maintains a tough gritty tone throughout, and tosses in some ugly violence and tasty gratuitous female nudity for extra lurid measure. The sturdy cast of familiar faces helps a lot: Karthyn Walker as Blade's concerned writer girlfriend Maggie, William Prince as smarmy congressman Powers, Michael McGuire as the cynical Quincy, Joe Santos as Blade's no-nonsense partner Spinelli, John Schuck as huffy superior Reardon, and Keene Curtis as Powers's loyal aide Steiner. Morgan Freeman has a small role as the smooth leader of a black militant group. The raw documentary style and David Hoffman's rough hand-held cinematography provide a strong and vibrant sense of realism and urgency. The lush and lively score by John Cacavas does the rousing trick. Worth a watch.