The Onion Field
1979, Crime/Drama, 2h 2m
14 Reviews 1,000+ RatingsYou might also like
See More
Q & A
Shaft
The Crossing Guard
To End All Wars
Reversal of Fortune
Rate And Review
-
What did you think of the movie? (optional)
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
What did you think of the movie? (optional)
How did you buy your ticket?
-
Fandango
-
AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew
-
Cinemark Coming Soon
We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
-
Regal Coming Soon
We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
-
Theater box office or somewhere else
The Onion Field Photos
Movie Info
Charismatic psychopath Greg Powell (James Woods) teams up with Jimmy Youngblood (Franklyn Seales), a petty thief. Driving in Los Angeles in 1963, they are pulled over by Detective Hettinger (John Savage) and his partner, Campbell (Ted Danson), for an illegal U-turn. Panicked, Powell kidnaps the officers and kills Campbell. Hettinger escapes, and his description of the men leads to their arrest. As both men evade prosecution with legal tricks, Hettinger is racked with guilt over his survival.
Cast & Crew
John Savage
Det. Karl Francis Hettinger
Det. Karl Francis Hettinger
James Woods
Gregory Ulas Powell
Gregory Ulas Powell
Franklyn Seales
Jimmy Lee "Youngblood" Smith
Jimmy Lee "Youngblood" Smith
Ted Danson
Det. Ian James Campbell
Det. Ian James Campbell
Ronny Cox
Det. Sgt. Pierce R. Brooks
Det. Sgt. Pierce R. Brooks
David Huffman
Dist. Atty. Phil Halpin
Dist. Atty. Phil Halpin
Critic Reviews for The Onion Field
Audience Reviews for The Onion Field
-
May 05, 2021The movie often underlines its themes in some clumsy ways however I appreciate the slow pacing which does a better job of examining the inherently unsatisfying concept of "justice" both in legal and emotionally satisfying terms.Alec B Super Reviewer
-
Nov 29, 2011"The Onion Field" features a complex narrative and well-developed characters, but ultimately, it never goes anywhere. The scenes that are meant to provoke emotion fall flat, the final twenty minutes or so are unnecessary, and the pacing is slow and unbalanced. James Woods delivers a strong performance, but that's about it. There's nothing noteworthy about this film other than that.
-
Jul 30, 2011The Onion Field has real potential to be a very compelling film. There are tons of great character pieces with a complex plot, but it all somehow just doesn't go anywhere. This film is based on true events, but I'm wondering if the actual events were portrayed as is, and if so, did they need to be so true to them? I'm not going to spoil the entirety of the film, nor am I going to get into a discussion on dramatic character development and satisfactory story, but it basically winds down to nothing. Dramatic tension tries its hardest to kick in at times with little to no pay-off. This, to me, seemed more suited to be a Broadway production rather than a film. Two hours of complex plot and emotionally unsatisfying events make for a very dull film, despite the talent behind it.Tim S Super Reviewer
-
Sep 06, 2010A fantastic crime/prison movie, the story is really incredible, and the actors are great. The only problem is that it's a little too long. Other than that I loved it.
Verified