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The Detective

Play trailer Poster for The Detective 1968 1h 54m Crime Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 47% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
When a gay man is viciously slain, Detective Joe Leland (Frank Sinatra) is put on the case. Joe eventually tracks down the victim's roommate, who confesses to the crime and is sentenced to death; however, the outcome of the case doesn't sit well with the detective. Norma (Jacqueline Bisset), a distraught widow, visits Joe. She believes her husband's death was no accident, but the cops don't seem to care. Joe begins to investigate, and stumbles on a cover-up related to his previous case.
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The Detective

Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 05/21/2005
3/4
The Detective contains a fine performance by Frank Sinatra, some very good scenes of police work, and not much else. Go to Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com 10/14/2020
3.5/5
Featuring a compelling and notable performance from Frank Sinatra, The Detective is an enjoyable neo-noir from the late 60s reflecting realistic attitudes towards queer characters. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 08/24/2020
7/10
Unpolished in spots, but it's a major, influential stepping stone in the neo-noir movement. Go to Full Review Stephen Farber Los Angeles Free Press 01/30/2020
The Detective belongs to its writer, Abby Mann, and he has made it into the kind of "tough," "hard-hitting," "socially conscious" picture that Hollywood used to pride itself on. Go to Full Review Manny Farber Artforum 06/18/2019
There's so much particularity that the film goes from bad to good to smashing and back to good in the briefest quarters. Go to Full Review Nathanael Hood The Retro Set 12/28/2018
7/10
...one of the first true neo-noirs. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stacey J @StaceSez Feb 5 Not a fan. It was great to see so many wonderful actors in their youth but the script is flat and there is no collective enthusiasm. See more Keith B B @Okbullard Jan 15 It was a typical 60's movie with a star singer trying to act. The plot was kind of slow and pretty shallow and predictable. I'd never bother to watch it again. 100%....Hmmmmm See more BetterThanYalls 01/02/2025 Frank Sinatra serves a brilliant performance and anyone who disagrees is a hater. Frank Sinatra is the epitome of grand performances throughout his entire soul and reputation. This world was not made for a heavenly soul as his. Only haters disagree See more Liam D @Mediawatcher2003 07/07/2024 Frank Sinatra gives a good performance and it has some interesting elements but for a cop drama it’s very slow and kinda homophobic See more Ashley H @ashleyhobgood87 09/10/2023 The Detective is a decent film. It is about a police detective who investigates the murder of a gay man. Frank Sinatra and Lee Remick give good performances. The screenplay is a little slow in places. Gordon Douglas did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the drama. See more CodyZamboni @CodyZamboni 07/17/2023 Movie is compelling. It's more about character and morals, rather than a police procedural, involving NYPD corruption. Sinatra is the movie, and he anchors it with his conviction. Lots of famous faces in supporting roles. See more Read all reviews
The Detective

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Cast & Crew

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Gordon Douglas

Director

Frank Sinatra

Detective Sgt. Joe Leland

Lee Remick

Karen Wagner Leland

Jacqueline Bisset

Norma MacIver

Ralph Meeker

Curran

Jack Klugman

Dave Schoenstein

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The Detective

The Detective (1968) The Detective (1968) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When a gay man is viciously slain, Detective Joe Leland (Frank Sinatra) is put on the case. Joe eventually tracks down the victim's roommate, who confesses to the crime and is sentenced to death; however, the outcome of the case doesn't sit well with the detective. Norma (Jacqueline Bisset), a distraught widow, visits Joe. She believes her husband's death was no accident, but the cops don't seem to care. Joe begins to investigate, and stumbles on a cover-up related to his previous case.
Director
Gordon Douglas
Producer
Aaron Rosenberg
Screenwriter
Abby Mann
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Arcola Pictures
Genre
Crime, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 28, 1968, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 28, 2014
Runtime
1h 54m
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