DVD Review: Madigan (1968)
Many define Don Siegel's long career by the films he did with Clint Eastwood, especially the classic "Dirty Harry." However, Kino recently released, on blu ray and DVD, one of the gritty urban crime dramas Siegel did on his way to working with Eastwood. "Madigan" stars Richard Widmark in the title role, and includes Henry Fonda, James Whitmore, Harry Guardino, Inger Stevens, Susan Clark, Don Stroud, and Sheree North in the cast
Combining several connecting sub-plots with well-developed characters, a gritty New York backdrop, well shot and edited action sequences, and rousing music to enhance transition scenes, "Madigan" is a particularly strong crime drama of the 1960s.
The story deals with Widmark as the title character, a cop, and his partner, played by Harry Guardino. They leave their jurisdiction to take a former criminal in for questioning, but are distracted by his naked girlfriend, which allows the crook to turn-the-tables on them and escape with their guns. When they get back to the station, they are told the criminal was wanted for a homicide, so they are given 72 hours to bring him in.
Along with this main plot which is central to the narrative, there are several sub-plots examining the other characters. Henry Fonda plays a police Commissioner who is dealing with a mistress, and having to confront a longtime friend (James Whitmore) who is a respected Chief Inspector, but who has been taking bribes. Madigan himself is trying to maintain a marriage while also keeping a mistress.
Director Siegel does an excellent job balancing all of the characters and sub-plots while maintaining the focus of the central narrative. The action sequences are expertly shot, taking advantage of the New York locations. The only lull is when the film decides to investigate the private home lives of the cops, or their various situations with infidelity. These scenes are a bit distracting and not terribly necessary. Fortunately, they are given little screen time.
"Madigan" was an important film in Don Siegel's career. He showed a real prowess with crime actioners, directing Clint Eastwood in "Coogan's Bluff" the same year, and leading up to a masterpiece in the sub-genre with "Dirty Harry" three years later. "Madigan" holds up well-being over 50 years old, despite dated sequences such as a scene where Widmark takes off his clothes before going to bed, tosses them around as he undresses, and his mistress (Sheree North) scrambles around to pick them up and fold them neatly.
"Madigan" was later a TV series with Widmark repeating his role (SPOILER: despite the fact that the character is killed at the end of the movie). It ran only 6 episodes.
Kino's blu ray is a beautiful print with sharp, vibrant colors that really enhance the cinematography (by the great Russell Metty). The performances are strong by a great cast, and features an excellent screenplay by the formerly blacklisted Howard Rodman (credited here under the pseudonym Henri Simoun) and Abraham Polonsky. There is an optional commentary track by film historians Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell, and Nathaniel Thompson who provide interesting insights.
The blu ray is available at this link: MADIGAN