The New Centurions Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A promising law student becomes a cop, only to discover that fighting crime involves less courtroom drama and more existential dread, alcoholism, and George C. Scott being a hilariously unorthodox mentor.

🍿 The New Centurions: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Joining the Force: Idealism Meets Reality

The film introduces Roy Fehler (Stacy Keach), a law student who joins the Los Angeles Police Department as a patrolman to support his family while completing his degree. Initially viewing it as a temporary measure, Roy is partnered with veteran officer Kilvinski (George C. Scott), a seasoned and somewhat cynical cop with his own unique, pragmatic approach to maintaining order on the streets. Kilvinski, with his ‘Kilvinski’s Law,’ provides Roy with a gritty, unvarnished education in street policing. Their patrols expose them to the raw and often disturbing realities of Los Angeles’s underbelly, from petty crimes and domestic disputes to violent encounters. Roy, initially idealistic, begins to internalize the demands and moral ambiguities of the job, learning how to navigate the complex world of law enforcement beyond textbook procedures.

The Job’s Grasp: Shifting Priorities

As Roy spends more time on the beat, the challenging and often consuming nature of police work begins to take an unexpected toll. He finds himself increasingly drawn into the camaraderie and intense experiences of the force, leading his aspirations of finishing law school and his family life to slowly recede into the background. The daily exposure to crime and the need to constantly be on guard start to redefine his identity. The initial motivation of a temporary job to pay for his studies gives way to a deeper immersion into the police lifestyle. Roy’s relationship with his wife, Dorothy (Jane Alexander), becomes strained as his commitment to his career overshadows his domestic responsibilities and shared future plans. The film portrays the subtle, yet powerful, transformation of a man whose professional life gradually consumes his personal existence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Roy (Stacy Keach): An idealistic law student who joins the LAPD, only to become increasingly consumed by the demanding nature of police work at the expense of his personal life.
• Kilvinski (George C. Scott): A cynical yet wise veteran patrolman who mentors Roy in the harsh realities of street policing, imparting his unique ‘Kilvinski’s Laws’ before facing a difficult retirement.
• Dorothy (Jane Alexander): Roy’s devoted wife who struggles to keep their family together as his all-consuming dedication to police work drives a wedge between them.
• Lorrie (Rosalind Cash): A compassionate nurse who becomes a source of comfort and a chance at new hope for Roy during a period of deep personal crisis.
• Gus (Scott Wilson): A fellow rookie patrolman who experiences the raw, unpredictable, and often grim aspects of police work early in his career.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kilvinski: “There are people out there who would rip that badge off your shirt and stick it up your ass just to say they did it.” – Kilvinski gives Roy a grim warning about the harsh realities and dangers of police work, emphasizing the contempt some have for officers.
• Kilvinski: “Laws change. People don’t.” – Kilvinski shares his cynical, experienced take on the unchanging nature of human behavior and crime, despite evolving laws.
• Roy: “They don’t like us. But, I think they need us. I think they always have. Even the Romans had the centurions to keep the peace. They were unsupported, un-honored, disliked, just like us. But they held the line, for a while. Until Rome was finally over-run by barbarians.” – Roy explains to Kilvinski his philosophical view of police officers as modern ‘centurions’ upholding order in a chaotic world, giving the film its title.
• Kilvinski: “Baby, I got more soul than I can control.” – Said with a mix of humor and world-weariness to a group of prostitutes he’s rounding up, showcasing his unconventional approach to policing.
• Roy: “I tried to hold on.” – Said by Roy after a physically harrowing incident, but also serves as a metaphor for his struggle to maintain his personal life amidst the demands of police work.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $12,650,000
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The New Centurions Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, ‘The New Centurions’ really hit me differently than I expected. I went in thinking it might be a typical cop procedural, but it’s so much more. George C. Scott as Kilvinski is just incredible; his ‘Kilvinski’s Laws’ and the way he handled situations, like the prostitutes with the whiskey, had me laughing but also thinking about the practicality of real police work. Then there’s Stacy Keach’s Roy, whose journey from an idealistic law student to a beaten-down officer felt incredibly authentic and sad. It really makes you feel the emotional weight and the slow erosion of a person’s life that the job can cause. The whole film paints such a raw, unglamorous picture of law enforcement, and it truly made me appreciate the complexity of it all. It’s a powerful drama that sticks with you.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of realistic crime dramas and police procedurals”
  • “Viewers interested in character studies of working professionals”
  • “Admirers of 1970s cinema and its gritty aesthetic”
  • “Those who appreciate strong performances by George C. Scott and Stacy Keach”
  • “Readers of Joseph Wambaugh’s novels”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Violence and graphic scenes (including shootings and suicide)”
  • “Depiction of alcoholism and substance abuse”
  • “Mature themes (marital breakdown, prostitution, child abuse, social decay)”
  • “Depressing and downbeat tone”

Professional Reviews

• Film Insights Weekly: “Richard Fleischer’s ‘The New Centurions’ strips away the glamour of police work, offering a stark, unsentimental look at the LAPD. George C. Scott delivers a powerhouse performance as the weary veteran Kilvinski, perfectly complemented by Stacy Keach’s empathetic portrayal of a rookie losing himself in the job. It’s an episodic, yet deeply impactful character study that lingers long after the credits.
• The Daily Cinema: “Based on Joseph Wambaugh’s novel, this film captures the raw authenticity of street-level policing in the ’70s. It’s less about plot and more about the psychological toll the job takes, brilliantly showcased through the nuanced performances of Scott and Keach. A gritty, unflinching drama that feels remarkably real and avoids easy answers.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers were captivated by the raw, unvarnished realism of daily police life.: The film’s authenticity and its portrayal of the psychological toll on officers resonated deeply, particularly George C. Scott’s unforgettable performance as Kilvinski.

The character development, especially Roy Fehler’s transformation, left a lasting impression.: Audiences consistently praised the strong acting, the gritty 70s aesthetic, and the film’s unflinching look at the challenges and sacrifices made by police.

Overall Consensus: A powerful, gritty, and authentic police drama that offers a nuanced and often bleak look at the psychological and personal toll of law enforcement, elevated by standout performances, particularly from George C. Scott.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Joseph Wambaugh, the author of the source novel, was a real-life LAPD officer, which significantly contributed to the film’s gritty realism and authentic portrayal of police work.”
• “William Atherton, known for later roles in ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Die Hard’, made his feature film debut in ‘The New Centurions’.”
• “Isabel Sanford, who would later achieve fame as Louise Jefferson in ‘The Jeffersons’, has a notable cameo appearance as a streetwalker.”
• “George C. Scott personally insisted on Ed Lauter being cast in the role of Galloway after the casting director initially refused to see him.”
• “The film’s episodic structure and authentic depiction of daily police life served as a significant influence on future realistic police television dramas, including Joseph Wambaugh’s own ‘Police Story’ and ‘Hill Street Blues’.”

🖥️ How to Watch The New Centurions?

Released in 1972, ‘The New Centurions’ is a compelling crime drama that offers a raw look at police life. While not widely available on subscription streaming services, you can typically find it for rent or purchase on digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube. Check these services for current availability and pricing to stream the film at your convenience.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The New Centurions, you might like these similar films:

• The Onion Field (1979): Another powerful and realistic adaptation of a Joseph Wambaugh novel, delving deep into the psychological and emotional toll of police work on its characters.
• Serpico (1973): A classic gritty 70s police drama focusing on one honest cop’s struggle against corruption and the system, mirroring the realism and character-driven narrative.
• End of Watch (2012): Offers a modern, highly realistic, and intimate portrayal of two patrol officers’ daily lives, camaraderie, and the constant dangers they face, echoing the authentic feel.
• Electra Glide in Blue (1973): A contemplative and character-focused 70s film that also examines the disillusionment and challenges faced by a police officer, with a unique stylistic approach for the era.
• Cop Land (1997): An ensemble drama exploring the moral ambiguities and internal conflicts within a community of police officers, appealing to fans of character-driven, grounded police stories.

🛒 The New Centurions Related Products

• The New Centurions (Limited Edition Blu-ray): Experience the gritty 1970s police drama in stunning high-definition. This limited edition Blu-ray features a pristine transfer, isolated music track, and audio commentaries with cast and film historians, offering unparalleled insight into the film’s production and impact.
• The New Centurions by Joseph Wambaugh (Paperback Book): The acclaimed novel by former LAPD officer Joseph Wambaugh that inspired the film. Dive deeper into the lives of Roy Fehler and Kilvinski, exploring the raw, unvarnished realities of police work with even more detail and character insight than the movie.
• Quincy Jones – Original Soundtrack for The New Centurions (Vinyl/Digital): Immerse yourself in the film’s iconic 70s atmosphere with Quincy Jones’s masterful jazz-funk score. This soundtrack captures the mood, tension, and occasional moments of levity from the film, a must-have for soundtrack collectors and jazz enthusiasts.
• Vintage LAPD Police Badge Replica (1970s Era): A meticulously crafted replica of a Los Angeles Police Department badge from the early 1970s, reflecting the era in which ‘The New Centurions’ is set. A high-quality piece for display or costume.

🎧 Soundtrack

The New Centurions features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title (The New Centurions)” – performed by Quincy Jones
• “Theme from The New Centurions” – performed by Quincy Jones
• “A Day in the Life of a Centurion” – performed by Quincy Jones

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

10 Unforgettable 70s Movies You Can’t Miss

Curious how ‘The New Centurions’ fits into the vibrant landscape of 70s cinema? This video beautifully highlights 10 must-see films from that iconic decade, and I think it does a fantastic job showcasing why ‘The New Centurions’ is still worth talking about today.

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