PRIME TARGET

US, 1989, 91 minutes, Colour.
Angie Dickinson, David Soul, Charles Durning, Joe Regalbuto, Yaphet Kotto.
Directed by Robert Collins.

Prime Target, despite its going over old ground of corrupt police in New York City, is an absorbing telemovie. It stars Angie Dickinson, reprising a role that is reminiscent of her skills in the TV series Policewoman. The film has a good cast including David Soul as the police commissioner and Charles Durning as Angie Dickinson's father.

The film also raises women's issues: women sacked from the police force and suing the city to be readmitted on equal standing with men, with the consequent hostility of many men on the force. There is also a serial killer, corrupt police trying to defend themselves by threats and murders. The film uses New York City locations very effectively, draws interesting characters as well as showing the complexities of the police force, corruption and detection. Written and directed by Robert Collins.

1.Interesting and entertaining police story? Investigations? Police corruption? Human drama?

2.The use of New York City locations, authentic atmosphere? Night and day? Special effects and action sequences? Chases? Musical score?

3.The title, the focus on the women police? The motivation behind their deaths?

4.Kelly as central character, her reputation, her skills? The investigations? Her relationship with the police commissioner, going on to the committee? Her interrogations, hostilities? Discovering the antipathy of the police officers towards the women, the footage of the protests by the women and their suing the city? Her going to see Pilar to tell the news of the death of her friend? The clash with the officers? Brown and his support? The threats by the officers and her decision to stay with the case? Roselli and the interviews, Scully and the clashes? Her private life: her relationship with the actor, their friendship, living together? Her visit to her father, the story about his career, his injuries, the pressure by the police force? The visit to her incapacitated mother? Her meeting Maguire and helping her? The final investigations, the death of Maguire, the interrogation of Tom? Going to Scully at the funeral Mass? The chase, getting the truth from him? Her standing by her work as a policewoman?

5.The women who were killed: by accident, Pilar and her corruption, her murder? Maguire and her fears, pregnant by Tom, her death? The theme of the women being sacked, suing for reinstatement? The hostility of their partners and the telephone calls? Kelly and her becoming a prime target?

6.The police commissioner, smooth style, relying on Kelly? Brown and the internal investigations? Pressure, the wires? The pursuit of Kelly and Scully?

7.Roselli, the squad corruption, the pressures? Scully and the murdering of Roselli - for the honour of the badge? Cover-ups?

8.Rooney and his partner, their hostility towards the women? The masks and the threat to Kelly?

9.Kelly's father, memories of the past, his character, his illness, going to see the mother?

10.The complexities of the New York police force? The focus on the corrupt? The dangers and threats? The investigations? The tribute to police who are able to manage their work honestly?

11.The popularity of police telemovies and movies in the '80s?