Fort Apache, The Bronx movie storyline. From the sight of a police officer this movie depicts the life in New York’s infamous South Bronx. In the center is “Fort Apache”, as the officers call their police station, which really seems like an outpost in enemy’s country. The story follows officer Murphy, who seems to be a tuff cynic, but in truth he’s a moralist with a sense for justice.
Fort Apache, The Bronx is a 1981 American crime drama film directed by Daniel Petrie. The film is about a hard-drinking, lonely veteran cop, Murphy, (Paul Newman) and his young partner Corelli (Ken Wahl), who work in a crime-ridden precinct in The Bronx. Although Murphy’s life takes a good turn when he falls in love with Isabella (Rachel Ticotin), a young nurse, the arrival of a new, law-and-order-minded police chief, Connoly (Ed Asner) threatens to tip the neighborhood’s delicate balance into anarchy. Danny Aiello, Kathleen Beller, and Pam Grier play supporting roles. It was written by Heywood Gould and produced by Martin Richards, Thomas Fiorello, with David Susskind as executive producer.
It was filmed on locations in the Bronx. Author Tom Walker sued Time-Life Television, alleging that the film infringed on his book Fort Apache, but lost after a lengthy court battle. At the time of its release, the movie caused controversy, as Hispanic and African-Americans objected to their depiction as drug dealers and criminals. The film received mixed reviews; however, Newman’s acting was noted as a strength of the film.
Fort Apache, The Bronx (1981)
Directed by: Daniel Petrie
Starring: Paul Newman, Edward Asner, Ken Wahl, Rachel Ticotin, Danny Aiello, Pam Grier, Kathleen Beller, Jaime Tirelli, Lance Guecia
Screenplay by: Heywood Gould, Thomas Mulhearn
Production Design by: Ben Edwards
Cinematography by: John Alcott
Film Editing by: Rita Roland
Costume Design by: John Boxer
Set Decoration by: Philip Smith
Art Direction by: Christopher Nowak
Music by: Gary Green, Jonathan Tunick
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: February 6, 1981
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