In the war zone of the South Bronx, the police of the 41st Precinct have the worst absentee record in the city, the most disability record claims, the least conviction per arrests, and there's nobody doing anything and the men aren't motivated…

The first petition of the new captain Dennis Connolly (Ed Asner) was to make it clear that there is zero progress on the investigation on the murders of two policemen (killed on the opening of the film by an addicted hooker played nicely by Pam Grier). For the good officer the case must be cleared even if his men have to take extraordinary measures to clear it…

Murphy (Newman) comes from three generations of cops… All his friends are cops… He gets drunk every night… He is essentially honest and he doesn't trust anyone but his partner, Corelli (Ken Wahl). He is attracted to Isabella (Rachel Ticotin) who happens to be a heroin addict…

The film turns dramatic first when a body is discovered after a fire… Death was caused by injuries sustained in a fall… Murphy and his partner witnessed the officer Morgan (Danny Aiello) throwing an innocent kid off the roof… And second when narcotics dealers took a bunch of doctors, nurses and patients hostage…

Paul Newman's performance is vulnerable, masking his sensitivity with arrogance and showing a flash of charm and humor… It is a story of an ordinary cop finding the courage to stand up and be counted… As portrayed by Newman he is touchingly believable

The inestimable Paul Newman gives one of his finest, most powerful and convincing performances to date in this shamefully neglected and under-appreciated police crime drama doozy as the weary and sardonic, but still honest, adamant and dedicated Officer Murphy, who works a tough and hellish beat in a down-trodden South Bronx neighborhood. Murphy's seamy and exacting routine includes trying to find the killer of two rookie cops, nabbing a purse snatcher, stopping suicidal transvestites from jumping off buildings, and delivering babies in rundown tenement projects. Daniel Petrie's taut, astute, unshowy direction, working from an episodic, but sharp, colorful and eventful script by Heywood Gould (who also co-wrote "Rolling Thunder"), expertly creates a credibly bleak and sordid atmosphere while adeptly keeping the busy narrative on a steady and absorbing course from startling start to thrilling finish. The uniformly sterling acting from an exceptional cast qualifies as another considerable asset, with especially praiseworthy work by Ken Wahl of TV's "Wiseguy" fame as Newman's likable eager beaver partner, Ed Asner as the gruff, no-nonsense new police captain, Rachel Ticotin as Newman's younger heroin addict nurse girlfriend, Danny Aiello as a cynical racist patrolman, Miguel ("Short Eyes") Pinero as a smooth drug dealer, Kathleen Beller as Wahl's sweet fiancé, Sully Buyar as the burnt-out, ineffectual old retiring captain, and, most impressive of all, an unforgettably scary and pathetic Pam Grier as a zonked-out murderous junkie whore. John Alcott's grainy, yet polished cinematography and Jonathan Tunick's earthy, funky score further enhance the overall rough, gritty and totally unglamorous urban realism. A very gripping and hard-hitting little gem that's wholly undeserving of its current sadly obscure status.

I was a bit taken aback when reading through the external reviews and seeing notable critics like Roger Ebert generally panning this movie. Not that it's a high water mark of film making, but a stylish, gritty, well-constructed movie, certainly.

The one major distracting element is Paul Newman. His performance is not at fault by any standards, in fact he was very good, but in this dark look at inner city dwellers and how they're prisoners of the crime and poverty that surrounds them, one of Hollywood's most notable actors just sticks out like a sore thumb. Again, not through any misstep that Mr. Newman might have made, but just simply because he is who he is: Too big to fit into a movie about little people.

Regardless, the movie is highly recommended for anyone wanting a unique look at inner city blight, the people who live in this setting and the men and women who try to protect them. There is nothing quaint about this movie, it is real and rough.