The Cinema of the 1970’s

A film is a work of art that is based on a certain theme and is a reflection of events in a particular society. A notable development in cinematography occurred in the 1970s as a result of the audience’s choice for television over movies. Themes like Nixon’s corruption and social injustices served as the foundation for 1970s movies. It is well recognized that the 1970s were a pivotal time in the development of Hollywood production, with a focus on mass-market and profit-oriented filmmaking. The movie Serpico is a classic 1973 film production that brings out the role played out by Sergeant Durk and Detective Serpico in weeding out crime within the police department. The 1970s film is unique owing to the levels of corruption allegations that had been brought about against the administration by President Nixon. The film depicts the role of there being elements of integrity amongst the government institutions that were viewed to be corrupt. A film is a robust tool that can be used to enlighten and educate the society in an equal measure.

Integrity as a theme in the film is evident owing to the risk that the officers make that could lead to the loss of their lives while at the same time being inspirational to good work ethics. The moral police often have the higher likelihood of being killed or being sabotaged by their fellow officers.

The interest of the film primarily rests on its plot. The argument of norms versus morals comes out through the chief protagonist of the film. The opening scene of the movie depicts Frank at the back of police that has busted a drug cartel. The scene is what acts as the leverage for backtracking Frank’s life and contribution in the reforms of the police service, particularly that of New York. During the time that he is appointed to the police service in the 1960s, he has a strong commitment to bring about sanity and professionalism in the way the police carried out their duty. One of his notable contributions is the ability to deliver on his mandate and avoid taking bribes from the suspects to whim he often pursued. Such is seen in other scenes as having led to the resistance and opposition that he received from his peers.

Serpico is a detective, and not only works to exterminate crime within the police service, or just racing to catch up and arrest the bad guy but works with the local communities of how the security situation can be improved. The climax of the film drives one to the openings can. At the peak, Serpico works within the narcotics departments where he is in charge of exterminating the drug cartels within the country. Owing to the liberal philosophical foundation to which ascribes, there is a substantial rebellion that he is facing from his peers. Critical is when he is left on his own by the fellow police officers, an issue that leads to him being shot in the face when conducting a drug raid. Such build upon the theme of moral versus norm. When going against the norms in the society, in the name of morality and presentation of dignity, there is need to recognize that some negative eventualities may arise.

The other theme in the film is patriotism. Frank Serpico commits de-corrupting the police service owing to the love for the country. While carrying out his mandate, he is cognizant of the risks that he is facing and the likelihoods of being killed by the drug barons. However, his escaping to Switzerland after being shot questions his commitment to patriotic ideals within the society. The infighting that is evident in the police service owing to the trigger effect of the reforms of Frank Serpico is some of the revolutionary concepts that are brought about through patriotism.

The choice of the film is based on the understanding of the crime situation in the United States during the 1970s. According to historical information and data, crime levels are known to have grown after the Second World with the rates having a peak in the 1970s. Most of the violent crimes that were committed were drug-related. The issue of violence in the 1970s was often credited with the corruption the government and the fewer employment opportunities that are available for the youth. The rise in the drug business also served to escalate the problem.

However, if the film were to be interpreted in today’s context, the argument would be different. The case would be used to use to describe the classical example of gun laws and the whites having a higher access to guns as opposed to the blacks. The dominance of the firearms in one race could be used to explain why most of the crimes were facilitated by the individuals from the white race. Additionally, the issue of unemployment could be used to affirm the argument that is promoted in the film. The closure of many manufacturing companies in the United States and the shifting of the manufacturing jobs to China has led to massive job losses in the United States. Such has led to the rise in criminal activities since many youths are not actively engaged in ventures that could enable them to earn an income.

In conclusion, the norms tend to take up a lead role in morality being downplayed in the society as is evident at the last scene of the film. Frank is disappointed for not continuing serving in the police department and cries over that situation. The system seems to glorify those who play along with the rules, even if the rules mean perpetuation of evil, and weeds out those who bring about sanity and ethical practice in the police service. The richness of the film also serves to bring about the importance of art in Hollywood. The costume that is worn by the characters is expensive and of good design, thus, affirming the vast amounts that have been used to produce the film. The close-up photography has been used in many scenes to focus on the chief protagonist with only the close-up images of the main character being brought to the scene. The lighting is also enhanced in the film with most of the scenes being shot during the day. As such, the choreography of the walking and position that is taken by the actors in the film is well organized and is an indication of the professionalism employed by the directors of the film.

Bibliography

García-Mainar, Luis M. “The Introspective Realist Crime Film.” In The Introspective Realist Crime Film, pp. 17-53. Palgrave Macmillan UK, 2016.

Gluibizzi, Amanda. “A Review of ”Starring New York: Filming the Grime and the Glamour of the Long 1970s” by Stanley Corkin. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2011.“ (2013): 273-276.

Smith, Greg M. ”“ It’s just a movie”: a teaching essay for introductory media classes.“ Cinema journal 41, no. 1 (2001): 127-134.