Jim Slade (Burt Lancaster) is an ex-cop and ex-con who takes a job as a night watchman at a college thanks to his friend and fellow retired copper, Quartz (Cameron Mitchell). Within a few days, Slade gets the detective bug again when a series of tapes are stolen from a Psych professor's room and Natalie (Catherine Bach), a Sentor's daughter and a subject on one of the tapes, ends up dead. Teaming with his love interest/parole officer Linda (Susan Clark), Slade attempts to unravel the mystery behind this co-ed's death, even though the local Sheriff (Harris Yulin) believes he already has the killer.
The 70s were an interesting time for leading man Lancaster and this complex mystery proves to be one of his more unique vehicles. In addition to starring, Lancaster co-wrote and co-directed the film with Roland Kibbee. The film itself has a very flat, made-for-TV feel so it takes a while to adjust to that. If it weren't for the cursing and explosions of violence, I would have sworn it was a TV movie. Once over that hurdle, it is a pretty involving mystery (make sure to have you notepad handy). It is admirable to see Lancaster playing a down on his luck anti-hero (a tough cop who had murdered his wife's lover). There is also a great supporting cast including Robert Quarry, Lawrence Dobkin, Mills Watson and Ed Lauter. Lancaster's son Bill (future writer of THE BAD NEWS BEARS and THE THING) has a small role as well.
The 70s were an interesting time for leading man Lancaster and this complex mystery proves to be one of his more unique vehicles. In addition to starring, Lancaster co-wrote and co-directed the film with Roland Kibbee. The film itself has a very flat, made-for-TV feel so it takes a while to adjust to that. If it weren't for the cursing and explosions of violence, I would have sworn it was a TV movie. Once over that hurdle, it is a pretty involving mystery (make sure to have you notepad handy). It is admirable to see Lancaster playing a down on his luck anti-hero (a tough cop who had murdered his wife's lover). There is also a great supporting cast including Robert Quarry, Lawrence Dobkin, Mills Watson and Ed Lauter. Lancaster's son Bill (future writer of THE BAD NEWS BEARS and THE THING) has a small role as well.