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Dark Blue Details

2003 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 4031 members

Set amidst the brutal L.A riots, Dark Blue tells the gritty story of crime and corruption within the Los Angeles Police Department. Kurt Russell stars as Sgt. Eldon Perry, a committed but crooked cop who will stop at nothing to rid the streets of crime. But when the old-blooded shootings and illegal assignments get too much for .. Read more

Starring Kurt Russell, Brendan Gleeson, Scott Speedman, Ving Rhames
Director Ron Shelton
Genres Drama

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Dark Blue

Set amidst the brutal L.A riots, Dark Blue tells the gritty story of crime and corruption within the Los Angeles Police Department. Kurt Russell stars as Sgt. Eldon Perry, a committed but crooked cop who will stop at nothing to rid the streets of crime. But when the old-blooded shootings and illegal assignments get too much for his young rookie partner, their behaviour starts to attract unwanted attention from the Deputy Chief (Ving Rhames), a man determined to clean up the system from within. Now with the cops turning on each other, the heat is really getting turned up.

Starring Kurt Russell, Brendan Gleeson, Scott Speedman, Ving Rhames, Michael Michele
Director Ron Shelton
Studio MOMENTUM PICTURES
Run time DVD: 1 hr 53 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Subtitles DVD: English
Released DVD: 13 Oct 2003
Production year: 2003
Format DVD
  • Critics' reviews (3) of Dark Blue

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    Based on a story by James Ellroy, this routine police thriller is given some much needed impact by a muscular performance from Kurt Russell. Set in the run-up to the LA riots, it follows Russell's uncompromising cop as he keeps the peace with extreme prejudice, carrying on the corruption that has been handed down through generations in the face of a new, more officious breed of policeman (represented here by Ving Rhames). It's a well trodden beat — related better in the likes of Internal Affairs — and the overfamiliar story is marred by obvious plotting, grating dialogue and a distinct lack of rounded characterisations. However, it comes to life when Russell is on the screen, fully inhabiting his monstrous character and never attempting to engage our sympathies.

    • Radio Times
  • 1 stars out of 4

    Against a background of the riots that shook LA, a familiar story of criminal cops is played out, climaxing in the sort of confession of guilt that you only find in Hollywood movies.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Most helpful member's review of Dark Blue

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  • 16 out of 20 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Tense thriller

    Very underated, well made thriller set during the time of the LA riots following the Rodney King trial. Its themes are police corruption and the uneasy racial tensions that exist within the police force and the people of LA. Kurt Russell, not known as an A list actor, is a revelation and surely this must be his finest work to date. Credit to the director and screenwriter who offer characters that we can care about or not. At times very tense and some of the sets, as of those depicting the riots, are very believeable. This is an above average thriller and well worth a view.

      • A customer from Sheffield
  • Most recent members' review of Dark Blue

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Gritty Action/Drama

    Excellent performance by Kurt Russell, with nice touches of self-moralisation. Set amongst the LA Riots following the Rodney King killing. Good direction, and a good script.

      • A customer from Sevenoaks, England
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Rating breakdown

4,031 Member ratings
  • 100
108
  • 90
204
  • 80
388
  • 70
609
  • 60
849
  • 50
659
  • 40
530
  • 30
359
  • 20
219
  • 10
106

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    • Dark Blue
      Set amidst the brutal L.A riots, Dark Blue tells the gritty story of crime and corruption within the Los Angeles Police Department. Kurt Russell stars as Sgt. Eldon Perry, a committed but crooked cop who will stop at nothing to rid the streets of crime. But when the old-blooded shootings and ...