Fort Apache, The Bronx (RPKG/DVD)

This movie had a lot of difficult hurdles to overcome, and the deficit was never reached. But what one has to judge is it's entertainment value, and it borders somewhere between outstanding and boring. Never mind the controversy, (that was made-up media hype), it never happened and the end result was a dismal failure.By the time this movie was released, (1981), the Bronx was over the phase that this movie 'Hollywood-ed' in order to gain some attention. The story of the 60's and 70's unrest and socio-political conscious was not unique to the Bronx, but it was in the forefront of Modern American history and this was the back drop to this tale.The high points to this movie are in the acting, the actors themselves and the writing, (superb and outstanding). The low points are with the weak and fractured storyline and the incomplete lives of the characters portrayed in this movie. In addition to this, the movie made the characters out to be lingering on the loony, and stereotyping all Bronxites as silly in nature.Also, it was difficult to maintain an interesting flow and one can see that they certainly tried to keep one interested. But the loopyness was frustrating and it finally bored me. It probably made the grade for a television movie sitcom in production value. But as a front-line blockbuster film it missed by a long shot. It almost seems as if the movie was rushed out of production and into the editing room just to get it over with. What a shame....a real missed opportunity. There was so much potential.In my honest opinion, I think the movie's staff truly wanted to get it over with. The reason for this was the lawsuit that writer, Tom Walker, brought forth against the makers of this film. The basis for Tom Walker's lawsuit was that the writers of the movie had stolen the ideas from the memoirs in his book, 'Fort Apache: Life and death in the city's most violent precinct'.Although the courts ruled against Tom Walker, the damage was already done. I can only assume that in anticipating a settlement the movie staff lost interest in the project. This is only my guess...but it seems more than likely. I firmly believe that Tom Walker had good cause. There are striking resemblances in the movie and in the book. The key missing ingredient was the time-line.The movie depicts all this unsettlement happening during the 1980's. The book firmly documents factual events from the late 60's and early 70's. The courts ruling was a simple outcome: One cannot patent an idea, and similarities simply aren't proof enough.Regretfully, in a perfect world the movie staff should of owned up to stealing Walker's memoirs and should of worked with him to get his masterpiece into the public view. The result would of been positively unimaginable based on the potential this movie had. I rated this movie a five based on it's potential. But it's entertainment value should be closer to a three. Nonetheless, an interesting movie to watch. But more like the ones television broadcasters come up with.One objectionable note was that the DVD was not available in widescreen, and the audio was not in stereo, but only mono. Making the experiance even more painful.I took the risk of settling for that rationalizing that the rarity of the movie on DVD would justify the low quality. I was only partially right.

Glad it came on time

I was flabbergasted when I saw the disclaimer before this film probably designed to placate the voices of political correctness. Amazing. The film was executive produced by David Susskind and starred Paul Newman and Ed Asner. These guys weren't exactly the religious right aligned with Ronald Reagan and Jerry Falwell but considered progressive voices allied with Norman Lear's People for the American Way. All I can say is this film told it like it was. In 1981 the South Bronx was a veritable warzone. Vast poverty and unemployment. A burned out infrastructure with a neglected populace virtually ignored by an indifferent political machine led by Ed Koch. An epidemic of prostitution and narcotics used to supplicate the pain and despair. The only thing keeping a semblance of order is a disillusioned police force hit hard by the Knapp Commission which was a not too distant memory and a blundering buracracy. This film gets everything right. The direction, the script, the performances are all right on. Things have gotten a little better in the Bronx since then probably in the wake of Rudy Giuliani being elected mayor in 1994. I'm amazed how little has changed in other big cities since 1981 when this film was released. Hardworking police officers who go to work everyday not knowing if they are going to come home alive vilified in the media. A heroin and opioid epidemic and the only solutions offered are clean needle exchanges and safe places to shoot up. Criminals coddled by grandstanders. Urban blight pushed further into the nether reaches of the inner city by gentrification. Nobody's offering solutions just a lot of finger pointing. Isn't it time for a genuinely honest dialogue?

Saw this when it first came out and appreciate is as much today.

Good

When HBO came to cable this movie was on regular rotation. I like to match this movie up with Serpico and Wolfen because all three movies are set in New York at about the same time and deal with the same issues of people living in amazing urban decay. It is not politically correct but it's honest and gritty.

Omg what an amazing movie. I had seen it once but it only gets better with time and the movie is as relevant now as it was then. To see Danny Aiello play against type is so great and Paul Newman never disappoints. Fort Apache the Bronx is a valued part of my dvd collection and I have to thank Amazon for owning it. I perused the movies under $10 category and bought it. What a tremendous value

Interesting police drama with surprisingly relevant plot lines. The interaction between law enforcement and minorities depicted in this film made in 1980 or 1981 seems familiar to anyone who keeps up with the national news in 2015.Unfortunately, the story is just fair. Some of the action seems forced. Not one of Mr. Newman's best. He seems miscast as a NYPD veteran as does his partner Ken Wahl. The supporting cast does well though.At times it seems like a PG-13 version of the 80's TV drama Hill Street Blues. But that's not a complaint. It's a good movie despite some flaws.

👍😎👍

Very hard to get on Dvd. I can confirm this does play in its Original English with no subtitles, just takes a bit of menu Translation which is easy enough to Google.very happy with purchase thank you

Muy buena compra, es una película interesante y con buenas actuaciones de Paul Newman y unas mi jóvenes Rachel Ticotin, Pam Grier.Contenido:Audio original en inglés (mono)Subtitulada en español únicamenteRegión 1Biografias del elencouna pieza que debe estar en la colección, el envío como siempre excelente, gracias.

Imprescindible para familiarizarse con la historia del Bronx. Muy buena y cercana aunque es una versión contanda desde la perspectiva holywoodiense

Top. Qualität liegt bei guten VHS-Niveau. Empfelenswert für alle die diesen Film gerne sehen und ihn auf DVD in Deutsch haben wollen.