Chiefs (1983)

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

I saw this series when it was on TV and then read the book. As usual, I loved the book more than the series, but overall the series was true to the novel.The casting was perfect. Charlton Heston was great as Hugh Holmes, the guiding hand of Delano. Wayne Rogers played the first police chief of Delano. The next focused on was Sonny Butts, the "returning hero" from World War II who was vicious in his life and in the manner in which he executed his functions as Police Chief. Finally, Billy Dee Williams was superb as Chief Watts.The series is available on DVD now, but I could not get it through Amazon. They have it listed today as currently unavailable. I did find it through eBay on DVD and new. Good luck if you are looking for it. This series is WELL worth watching!

This movie is a must see. I first saw the movie when it came out on television as a mini-series. If you love drama, suspense, and mystery you will enjoy this movie. Each scene leaves you waiting for more. Being still in grade school, it opened up my eyes as to the many injustices life has. Although it is a fictionalized movie, life in the deep South is portrayed through characters that will have you either hating them or sympathizing with them. I have been searching all over for the DVD, but have yet to find it. I'm waiting patiently for its release on DVD. I have the VHS but it is wearing down because of its use. Again--can't wait for the DVD!!

SPOILER ALERT!!! Three generations of police chiefs struggle with changing times, racial issues, and a vicious serial killer in the southern town of Delano, spanning 40 years. The growing community's first official chief, a failed farmer played by Wayne Rogers, is hired by town patriarch Charlton Heston (narrating the tale and chewing the scenery a bit) in the 1920s much to the chagrin of veteran redneck county sheriff Paul Sorvino, who along with Heston's character has a role in each of the pivotal lawmen's lives. Sorvino predicts that Rogers is not tough enough for the job, and sure enough the first Chief is killed in a tragic shooting just as he is about to reveal the identity of the local oddball who is secretly a sexual murderer of hitchiking boys. The Chief's grown son (Stephen Collins) finds recognition as a WWII hero and returns to take a place in the town's political leadership, while sneering tough guy Sonny Butts (a terrific Brad Davis) comes home as well, joins the police force, and quickly makes a name for himself as the racist terror of Delano. After murdering an innocent black man (Danny Glover) Butts finds himself under investigation for that crime, attempted rape, and other offenses and sees a way out when he discovers the old chief's serial killer evidence. But before he can reveal what he knows and save his job and his skin, the killer takes him by surprise and he joins the lengthy list of missing victims, along with his fancy police motorcycle. 20 years later Stephen Collins is now a Senator who pulls strings to have Delano get its first black police chief (ass-kicking Billy Dee Williams),a war veteran who whips his good ole boy lawmen into shape. Amid skirmishes with unenlightened local yokels, bigoted cops from neighboring communities, and the Klan, the Senator is unaware that he and the black cop share a tragic-sweet childhood bond as he runs interference for the Chief's attempts to bring the aging serial murderer to justice. Great television miniseries as these things go. Very effective building of suspense, full of characters you love and hate. Acting heavyweights above as well as Keith Carradine, Tess Harper, Victoria Tennant, and John Goodman. Look for the little boy from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" as the son played later by Collins. Certainly no "Roots" but a must-have on my video shelf along with "Lonesome Dove", "Rich Man Poor Man" and "The Stand."

If you like movies that involve the lives of people from their childhood to their death, mystery, history,a little action, and actors in their early years, then this is the show to watch. The story spans from the late 1800's to present day. It mainly centers around the various Chiefs of Police that were elected during that time frame, and how they changed the town. But the main center of the story is about a murder that happened in the early 1900's and how the murder is not discovered until present day,who did it, and how he hid it for so long. A very long movie, but worth watching.