Fort Apache: The Bronx, released on Feb. 6, 1981, is a gritty and unflinching portrayal of police work in a decaying urban environment. Paul Newman delivers a powerful performance as NYPD Captain Murphy, a veteran cop struggling to maintain his humanity and sense of justice while battling the escalating crime and despair of the South Bronx.
The 41st Precinct, where Murphy and his young partner Andrew Corelli (Ken Wahl) work out of, is nicknamed “Fort Apache” because the streets are full of dangerous criminals, such as violent gangs and drug dealers and unemployment is at an all-time high.
The film offers a bleak but realistic depiction of the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in a high-crime area. It explores themes of corruption, police brutality, and the erosion of moral values in a society plagued by poverty and violence.
Paul Newman in Fort Apache: The Bronx (Photo/20th Century Fox)
Supporting Cast
Ed Asner stars as new police captain Dennis Connolly.
Rachel Ticotin (Total Recall, Man on Fire) is Isabella, Murphy’s love interest.
Danny Aiello, Pam Grier, Kathleen Beller and Paul Gleason round out the cast.
Reception for Fort Apache: The Bronx
Fort Apache: The Bronx opened at No. 1 at the box office, grossing $4.6 million en route to a worldwide gross of $65.2 million.
Roger Ebert gave the film two out of four stars in his review, saying “It’s sort of insidious, the way a formula can take over and smother a good idea for a movie. Fort Apache, The Bronx apparently began as such an idea.”
The film currently has a rating of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer.
Legacy
Fort Apache: The Bronx is a challenging but ultimately rewarding film. While its portrayal of the South Bronx may be seen as overly bleak by some, remains a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on the complexities of urban crime and the struggles of those who strive to maintain order in a chaotic world.
