The Seven-Ups (1973)

Overrated and overhyped

hyped garbage

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

I think this is felt to be a forgotten classic of its type. I finally bought the blu ray and watched today. Apart from a typically strong performance by Scheider I was not that impressed by this film. It is the sort of film I like but it just did not grab me.

A kidnapping, a spooky carwash, grungy locations, and a long car chase all figure into this cop film about an elite group of NYC policemen, known as the "seven-ups", who pursue criminals whose crimes warrant prison time of seven years and up.The script seems perfunctory and indifferent, with too many villains, and not enough differentiation between them. It's hard to tell who's doing what to whom. The only clarity is in the lead detective named "Buddy" (Roy Scheider) and a couple of his detective partners. Beyond that, most of the other characters seem to blur into each other. Some are organized mobsters; others are just freelance thugs, at odds with each other.At the plot's midpoint, the director introduces what is arguably the big highlight of the film, an urban car chase that goes on for an incredible nine minutes. Complete with screeching tires that never go flat despite tearing into objects and automobiles, the chase has Buddy pursuing a couple of thugs at unrealistically high speeds. The reason for such a lengthy chase is not clear, but the POV shots from inside the cars make for an interestingly vicarious ride.On-location filming is terrific, and by far the best element. Cinematography is acceptable; colors are muted. This film contains very long scenes, which give depth to the characters, but also slows the film's pace. Acting is average. Roy Scheider would not have been my choice to play the role of Buddy. The casting problem with the villains relates more to script problems than to the actors. Intermittent background music is interestingly eerie.The best that can be said of this somewhat dull movie is that it does evoke a specific place and time in American history, the late 60s and early 70s in urban America. The grit and roughness of the characters and locales convey a heightened realism that's not possible with current CGI effects. Apart from that, "The Seven-Ups" is a fairly formulaic story about big city cops and robbers.

This 1970's Police Procedural doesn't even try to hide its Connection to Preceding Pictures, the highly Acclaimed "Bullitt" (1968), and "The French Connection" (1972). In one Scene Roy Scheider is seen with an Upside Down Shoulder-Holster. The more blatant "Homages" are the Cast and the Riveting Car-Chase.While not quite attaining the Classic Status of its Influences, this one manages Trends that was so Prevalent in its Era. Dirty Unrestored NYC Locations, Unfettered Policing by an Undercover Unit trying to hold its own against increasingly Ruthless Adversaries, and an Intense, Tell-It-Like-It-Is Display of Real Human Beings, Flaws and All.This could be Honorably Included in a Triple-Feature along with its aforementioned Betters, because of the Talented Cast and On-Location Attention to Detail and a Complex Plot. The Chase Scene gets all the Ink, but the other things that Showcase the Zeitgeist are Better Than Average.Underrated, but the Film does have a loyal Following and certainly Deserves its Status as a Hardly Unique, but nevertheless Engrossing Product. It Captures that 70's No-Nonsense, Newly Acquired Freedom of Expression that Hollywood was Riding Post-Hays-Code.Overall, Will Not Disappoint Fans of this Type and is a Time-Capsule Worth Watching.

Any fan of The French Connection and Bullitt would be duty bound to see The Seven Ups. I saw it back in the day and again today. Seven Up only flattens with age. Scheider doesn't have any standout lines and the best I can say is I like his leather jacket. He can't carry a picture like Hackman or McQueen They say his squad is an elite unit but they operate out of a gym locker. This movie is three grades down from The French Connection and Bullitt. Yes the car chase scenes are good but not as impressive as the earlier versions. There are no women in this flick I guess they didn't want to take the #5 uptown. LoBianco is somewhat interesting. This is a movie I wanted to like for all the history it brings and the Bronx locales including Tracy Towers & DeWitt Clinton High School. I graded on a curve for the old neighborhood.