Produced by Avanti Films, distributed by Macmillan Films, Inc., and directed by Max Miller, this 1971 film titled “The Police Film,” is a social commentary style documentary that sheds light on the issue of police distrust and conflict between law enforcement and citizens. With narration by American actor and director Ben Gazzara, the film pieces together dramatic recreations of factual events with interviews of high and low ranking police officials and civilians. It was likely made as public relations material to improve the overall perception of police and to remind the viewer of their function and responsibility to all citizens. Official description: “Viewers hear from police chiefs in Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York; members of the Black Panthers, Chicanos and hippies; and a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Provides a close look at an ordinary cop on the beat.”
Conflict between police and hippie protesters (0:20). Police officer rescuing man tangled in climbing equipment off rock’s edge (0:39). Contrasting image of same cop in protest and rescue scenario (1:20). Narrator Ben Gazzara sitting in living room talking to camera (1:24). Ants as analogy for police system (2:44). Scene of Neanderthals sitting around a fire (3:47). White blood cells under a microscope (4:18). Clips of people stopped on the street giving commentary on their view of police (4:33). Riot police looking at protesters’ signs (5:28). Black and white photos of police officers doing their duties (5:51). Photos turn to color and become a moving montage showing the many roles officers take on (6:12). Confrontation between police officers and thief (6:29). Officer saving kid from drowning (7:03). Officer mediating minor conflict between cashier and customer (7:23). Officer delivering a baby (8:02). Officer talking woman out of jumping off a bridge (8:25). Cop car responding to a call (9:22). College graduation (9:40). Riot police blocking path of protesters (9:59). Interview with former Police Commissioner of New York City, Patrick V. Murphy (10:28). Clips of everyday people and opinion on the police profession (12:11). Interview with cadets at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy (12:48). Interview with police officers with a few years of experience in Covina, Washington D.C., and New York City (14:16). Interview with Atlanta police chief Herbert Jenkins on policy of Mayor Sam Messel (15:21). Interview with director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy, captain Kenneth Cape on progressive officer education (16:55). Staged class at academy about mob psychology (18:31). Community of Van Nuys and Los Angeles Police community relations program (20:43). Clips of Covina Southern California (22:35). Interview with Covina Police Chief Ferguson (23:00). Riverside County Jail police officers as prisoners program, cops going through mugging and fingerprinting process (24:40). How police engaged with and contained people at the Moratorium March on Washington, interview with Police Chief of Washington D.C., Chief Wilson (27:02). Interview with director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, Eason Monroe (29:12). Public opinion interviews about police accountability and reform (31:53). Interview with an anonymous woman (32:39). Bomb explosion (33:41). Commentator speaks about importance of police in suppressing violence, while at the same time defending the right to free speech. Garazza speaks about violence harming people on both sides of the issue.
The film was associate produced by Sam Altonian, photographed and edited by Jeff Miller, with music by J. Jayem.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
