The Onion Field
1979
Based on the best-selling novel by Joseph Wambaugh, which tells the true and tragic story of the kidnapping of two police officers in Los Angeles in the 1960s. Read more
| Starring | John Savage, James Woods, Ted Danson, Ronny Cox |
|---|---|
| Director | Harold Becker |
| Genres | Drama |
loading...
The Onion Field
Based on the best-selling novel by Joseph Wambaugh, which tells the true and tragic story of the kidnapping of two police officers in Los Angeles in the 1960s.
| Starring | John Savage, James Woods, Ted Danson, Ronny Cox, David Huffman, Franklyn Seales |
|---|---|
| Director | Harold Becker |
| Studio | MOMENTUM PICTURES |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 1 min |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 08 Sep 2003 Production year: 1979 |
| Format | DVD |
-
Critics' reviews (5)
View all -
Cop-turned novelist Joseph Wambaugh was so upset by the way The Choirboys was turned into a movie, he had complete control over this script based on a real-life case in 1963 when two small-time hoods kidnap two cops and murder one of them in an onion field. As a documentary-style record of police procedure and the fallibility of the legal system this is a gripping and disturbing movie, powerfully acted by John Savage as the surviving cop who quits the force to become a gardener and by Franklyn Seales and the combustible James Woods as the killers. Woods had also appeared in The Choirboys and would also star in the next Wambaugh policier, The Black Marble.
-
Well meaning but lumbering case history. The author must carry the blame, as for once the picture was made exactly on his terms.
-
Most helpful member's review
View all -
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
OK
This is an average film for me, a true story based on the kidnapping of two police officers and the killing of one of them by two crooks. James Woods delivers a good performance as one of the thugs and is one of the only reasons the film stays alive to be honest, it feels like a TV movie - the court trial isn't exactly `on the edge of your seats` stuff and the ending is particularly cheesy. The film also follows the surviving police officer's life after the kidnapping when there is really no point to. Overall this film was lucky to get three stars, let's just call it a sympathy vote for James Woods.
-
Most recent members' review
View all -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Disappointing
The film is carried by the three leads, and has has been pointed out before James Woods steals it. If you're a fan of his, rent it and you won't be disappointed.
The film though was all over the place. Almost comical one minute, dark the next. I thought it was going to turn into a courtroom drama, but that gets picked up and then dropped and the story returns to the characters and the ending is almost surreal in it's cheesiness - against the tone of the film up to that point.
It's worth watching, but may leave you feeling confused as to what yo uwere supposed to be focused on.
Possibly the book is a better option! -
More like this
View all
Related user collection
Guardian 1000 films to see before you die (140)
64.4% from 9 members
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
-
-
-
The Onion Field
Based on the best-selling novel by Joseph Wambaugh, which tells the true and tragic story of the kidnapping of two police officers in Los Angeles in the 1960s....
-