Films about american police

Movie selections

Films about American Police:

Films about American police are a popular genre that explores the challenges, triumphs, and complexities of law enforcement in the United States. These films often delve into the lives of police officers, their investigations, and the moral dilemmas they face while upholding the law. From gritty crime dramas to action-packed thrillers, films about American police offer a glimpse into the world of law enforcement and the societal issues they confront.

Here are some films about American police:

“Training Day”, 2001

Director: Antoine Fuqua

films about american police - Training Day

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, this intense crime thriller follows a rookie LAPD officer who spends 24 hours with a corrupt detective. As the day unfolds, the rookie is forced to confront his own beliefs and make difficult choices.

Starring: Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Scott Glenn, Tom Berenger, Harris Yulin, Raymond J. Barry, Cliff Curtis, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Macy Gray, Charlotte Ayanna, Eva Mendes, Nick Chinlund, Jaime Gomez, Raymond Cruz, Noel Gugliemi, Samantha Esteban, Richard Browner, Ronald Ellis, William English, Kyjel N. Jolly, Fran Kranz, Janeen Krikorian, Princera Lee, Robert Leon, Seidy Lopez, Kenneth Allen Madden, Sarah Danielle Madison, Chris Patterson, Rudy Perez, Darrel Sellers, Ben Skorstad, Cle Sloan, Brett Sorenson, Abel Soto, Will Stewart, Denzel Whitaker, Garland Whitt, Jon A. Barnes, Greg Bronson, Michael Ray Clark, Terry Crews, Peter Greene, Namrata Singh Gujral, Spencer Kayden, George Meyers, Gary Rodriguez, Vince Romo, Julie Stranahan;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 122 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;

More information about the film “Training Day” on the website imdb.com

“The Departed”, 2006

Director: Martin Scorsese

films about american police - The Departed

Directed by Martin Scorsese, this gripping film explores the intertwining lives of an undercover cop and a mole in the Massachusetts State Police. With a star-studded cast including Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon, “The Departed” is a thrilling tale of deception and loyalty.

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga, Anthony Anderson, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Corrigan, James Badge Dale, David O'Hara, Mark Rolston, Robert Wahlberg, Kristen Dalton, Thomas B. Duffy, Richard Hughes, J.C. MacKenzie, Mary Klug, Peg Holzemer, Robert «Toshi» Kar Yuen Chan, Gurdeep Singh, Armen Garo, John Cenatiempo, Joseph Riccobene, Billy Smith, Lyman Chen, Kevin P. McCarthy, Chris Fischer, Brian Smyj, William Severs, Larry Mitchell, Anthony Estrella, Andrew Breving, Tracey Paleo, Douglas Crosby, Dorothy Lyman, Audrie J. Neenan, Frank Mallicoat, Paula Demers, Conor Donovan, Amanda Lynch, Sallie Toussaint, Patrick Coppola, Mick O'Rourke, Deborah Carlson, Nellie Sciutto, Peter Welch, Henry Yuk, Dennis Lynch;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 151 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,5;

More information about the film “The Departed” on the website imdb.com

“End of Watch”, 2012

Director: David Ayer

films about american police - End of Watch

Directed by David Ayer, this found-footage-style film follows two young LAPD officers as they patrol the dangerous streets of South Central Los Angeles. Through their handheld cameras, we witness their personal lives, camaraderie, and the dangers they face on a daily basis.

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, Natalie Martinez, Frank Grillo, David Harbour, America Ferrera, Cody Horn, Shondrella Avery, Cle Sloan, Jaime Fitzsimons, Everton Lawrence, Leequwid «Devil» Wilkens, James «Pistol» McNeal, Zone, Alvin Norman, Richard Cabral, Diamonique, Maurice Compte, Flakiss, Manny Jimenez Jr., Nicole Barreras, Michael Monks, Hugh Daly, Kristy Wu, David Castañeda, Candace Smith, Serene Branson, Ramon Camacho, Kevin Vance, Corina Calderon, Eric Garcetti, David Fernandez, Nelly Castillo, McKinley Freeman, John A. Russo, Tom Spencer, Patrizia Barretto, Clyde Broom Jr., DTeflon, Kevin Dunigan, Judy Echavez, Robert Gatewood, Ruben Roberto Gomez, Danielle Hartnett, Chivonne Hill, Ted Hollis, Gene Hong, Curtis Jermaine, Douglas Kampner;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama, crime, action, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;

“Serpico”, 1973

Director: Sidney Lumet

films about american police - Serpico

Directed by Sidney Lumet, this classic film tells the true story of Frank Serpico, an honest New York City police officer who exposes corruption within the force. Al Pacino delivers a powerful performance as Serpico, highlighting the moral complexities of being a whistleblower.

Starring: Al Pacino, John Randolph, Jack Kehoe, Biff McGuire, Barbara Eda-Young, Cornelia Sharpe, Tony Roberts, John Medici, Allan Rich, Norman Ornellas, Edward Grover, Albert Henderson, Hank Garrett, Damien Leake, Joseph Bova, Gene Gross, John Stewart, Woodie King Jr., James Tolkan, Ed Crowley, Bernard Barrow, Sal Carollo, Mildred Clinton, Nathan George, Gus Fleming, Richard Foronjy, Alan North, Lewis J. Stadlen, John McQuade, Ted Beniades, John Lehne, M. Emmet Walsh, George Ede, Charles White, F. Murray Abraham, P.J. Benjamin, Don Billett, Val Bisoglio, Raleigh Bond, Sully Boyar, John Brandon, James Bulleit, Roy Cheverie, Sam Coppola, Marjorie Eliot, René Enríquez, Conard Fowkes, Ron Gilbert, Frank Gio, Trent Gough;
Production year: 1973;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 130 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;

More information about the film “Serpico” on the website imdb.com

“Heat”, 1995

Director: Michael Mann

films about american police - Heat

Directed by Michael Mann, this crime thriller pits an obsessive detective, played by Al Pacino, against a highly skilled criminal, portrayed by Robert De Niro. As their paths intersect, the film explores themes of morality, loyalty, and the blurred lines between law enforcement and criminality.

Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Amy Brenneman, Jon Voight, Diane Venora, Ashley Judd, Mykelti Williamson, Wes Studi, Ted Levine, Dennis Haysbert, William Fichtner, Natalie Portman, Tom Noonan, Kevin Gage, Hank Azaria, Susan Traylor, Kim Staunton, Danny Trejo, Henry Rollins, Jerry Trimble, Martin Ferrero, Ricky Harris, Tone Loc, Begoña Plaza, Hazelle Goodman, Ray Buktenica, Jeremy Piven, Xander Berkeley, Rick Avery, Brad Baldridge, Andrew Camuccio, Brian Camuccio, Max Daniels, Vince Deadrick Jr., Charles Duke, Thomas Elfmont, Kenny Endoso, Kimberly Flynn, Steven Ford, Farrah Forke, Hannes Fritsch, Amanda Graves, Emily Graves, Niki Haris, Ted Harvey, Patricia Healy, Paul Herman, Cindy Katz;
Production year: 1995;
Genre: action, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 171 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;

More information about the film “Heat” on the website imdb.com

“L.A. Confidential”, 1997

Director: Curtis Hanson

films about american police - L.A. Confidential

Directed by Curtis Hanson, this neo-noir film is set in 1950s Los Angeles and follows three LAPD detectives as they uncover corruption and scandal within the police department. With a complex plot and stellar performances, “L.A. Confidential” is a gripping exploration of power and justice.

Starring: Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, Kim Basinger, James Cromwell, Danny DeVito, David Strathairn, Ron Rifkin, Matt McCoy, Paul Guilfoyle, Paolo Seganti, Elisabeth Granli, Sandra Taylor, Steve Rankin, Graham Beckel, Allan Graf, Precious Chong, Symba Smith, Bob Clendenin, Lennie Loftin, Will Zahrn, Amber Smith, Darrell Sandeen, Michael Warwick, Simon Baker, Shawnee Free Jones, Matthew Allen Bretz, Thomas Rosales Jr., Shane Dixon, Norman Howell, Brian Lally, Don Pulford, Chris Short, John Mahon, Tomas Arana, Michael McCleery, George Yager, Jack Conley, Ginger Slaughter, Jack Knight, John H. Evans, Gene Wolande, Brian Bossetta, Michael Chieffo, Gwenda Deacon, T.J. Kennedy, Ingo Neuhaus, Robert Harrison, Jim Metzler, Robert Barry Fleming;
Production year: 1997;
Genre: detective, crime, drama, action;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 138 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;

More information about the film “L.A. Confidential” on the website imdb.com

“Dirty Harry”, 1971

Director: Don Siegel, Clint Eastwood

films about american police - Dirty Harry

Directed by Don Siegel, this action-packed film introduced the iconic character of Detective Harry Callahan, played by Clint Eastwood. Known for his unorthodox methods, Callahan takes on a serial killer terrorizing San Francisco, highlighting the tension between law enforcement and civil liberties.

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni, John Vernon, Andrew Robinson, John Larch, John Mitchum, Mae Mercer, Lyn Edgington, Ruth Kobart, Woodrow Parfrey, Josef Sommer, William Paterson, James Nolan, Maurice Argent, Jo de Winter, Craig Kelly, Ann Bowen, George Burrafato, Joy Carlin, Gordon Chaplin, Bill Couch, Jana D'Amico, David Daniel, Tony Dario, Diane Darnell, Diana Davidson, Vince Deadrick Sr., Chuck Dorsett, Al Dunlap, Larry Duran, Denise Dyer, Diane Dyer, George Fargo, Joe Finnegan, Leslie Fong, Lois Foraker, Max Gail, John Garber, Eddie Garrett, James W. Gavin, David Gilliam, Don Haggerty, Scott Hale, Jack Hanson, Kate Harper, Bob Harris, Diana Henrichsen, Marc Hertsens, Chuck Hicks;
Production year: 1971;
Genre: action, thriller, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;

More information about the film “Dirty Harry” on the website imdb.com

These films about American police offer a range of perspectives and storytelling styles, showcasing the challenges and moral dilemmas faced by law enforcement officers. Whether exploring corruption, loyalty, or the pursuit of justice, these films provide an intriguing look into the world of American police.

In conclusion, films about American police serve as a compelling lens through which we examine the complexities of law enforcement, societal justice, and the human condition. From gritty dramas that portray the moral dilemmas faced by officers to action-packed thrillers highlighting the adrenaline of police work, these films reflect both the heroism and the shortcomings of the justice system. As they grapple with themes of corruption, systemic bias, and the struggle for redemption, these narratives spark vital conversations about authority and accountability, ultimately challenging viewers to consider the broader implications of policing in contemporary society. Whether they inspire admiration or provoke critical thought, these films remain an essential part of American cinema, resonating with audiences as they navigate the intricate dance between law and morality.

Katie Knight
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