I, the Jury (1982 film)
Encyclopedia
I, the Jury is a 1982
film based on the best selling detective novel of the same name
by Mickey Spillane
. The story was previously filmed in 3D in 1953. Larry Cohen
wrote the screenplay and was first hired to direct the film, but was replaced when the film's budget was already out of control after one week of shooting. He was replaced by Richard T. Heffron
.
The film begins with a James-Bond-like teaser opening before the story begins. The plot involves private detective Mike Hammer (Armand Assante
) discovering that a friend, Jack Williams, a one-armed detective, has been murdered. A serial rapist is involved as well as a sex therapy clinic headed up by sexy Dr. Charlotte Bennett (Barbara Carrera
).
The plot contains elements not in the novel, such as government conspiracies and mind-control techniques by the CIA and the Mafia.
1982 in film
-Events:* March 26 = I Ought to Be in Pictures, starring Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret and Dinah Manoff is released. Manoff would not appear in another movie until 1987's Backfire.* June = PG-rated film E.T...
film based on the best selling detective novel of the same name
I, the Jury
I, The Jury is Mickey Spillane's first novel featuring private investigator Mike Hammer.-Plot summary:New York City, summer 1944. Although she runs a successful private psychiatric clinic on New York's Park Avenue, Dr. Charlotte Manning — young, beautiful, blonde, and well-to-do —...
by Mickey Spillane
Mickey Spillane
Frank Morrison Spillane , better known as Mickey Spillane, was an American author of crime novels, many featuring his signature detective character, Mike Hammer. More than 225 million copies of his books have sold internationally...
. The story was previously filmed in 3D in 1953. Larry Cohen
Larry Cohen
Lawrence G. "Larry" Cohen is an American film producer, director, and screenwriter. He is best known as a B-Movie auteur of horror and science fiction films - often containing a police procedural element - during 1970s and 1980s...
wrote the screenplay and was first hired to direct the film, but was replaced when the film's budget was already out of control after one week of shooting. He was replaced by Richard T. Heffron
Richard T. Heffron
Richard T. Heffron was a film and television director.He worked on many television series such as The Rockford Files and films including Futureworld , Foolin' Around , the 1982 Mike Hammer film I, the Jury, Pancho Barnes , and La révolution française .-External links:...
.
The film begins with a James-Bond-like teaser opening before the story begins. The plot involves private detective Mike Hammer (Armand Assante
Armand Assante
-Personal life:Assante was born in New York City and raised in Cornwall, New York, the son of Katherine , a music teacher and poet, and Armand Anthony Assante, Sr., a painter and artist. His father was Italian and his mother was Irish, and was raised in a devoutly Roman Catholic family...
) discovering that a friend, Jack Williams, a one-armed detective, has been murdered. A serial rapist is involved as well as a sex therapy clinic headed up by sexy Dr. Charlotte Bennett (Barbara Carrera
Barbara Carrera
Barbara Carrera is a Nicaraguan-born American film and television actress as well as a former model. She is best known for her roles as Bond girl Fatima Blush in Never Say Never Again and as Angelica Nero on the soap opera Dallas.-Early life:Barbara Kingsbury was born in San Carlos, Río San Juan,...
).
The plot contains elements not in the novel, such as government conspiracies and mind-control techniques by the CIA and the Mafia.
Critical reaction
The film received mixed reviews when it first played in theaters. The film was criticized for eschewing essential plot lines from the novel, in favor of nudity, violence and extended action scenes. Others complained that Assante was miscast as Hammer. However, a New York Times review of the film in 1982 written by Jennifer Dunning found the pulp film entertaining:"Along the way there are spectacular chases and ingenious gore, including a water bed that oozes blood. It all ends with Hammer storming a booby-trapped hideaway, alone and without a gun, then slithering through a last little fillip of bloody romance. I, the Jury only aims to entertain. And who cares, with Mr. Assante around?"
Cast
- Armand AssanteArmand Assante-Personal life:Assante was born in New York City and raised in Cornwall, New York, the son of Katherine , a music teacher and poet, and Armand Anthony Assante, Sr., a painter and artist. His father was Italian and his mother was Irish, and was raised in a devoutly Roman Catholic family...
as Mike Hammer - Barbara CarreraBarbara CarreraBarbara Carrera is a Nicaraguan-born American film and television actress as well as a former model. She is best known for her roles as Bond girl Fatima Blush in Never Say Never Again and as Angelica Nero on the soap opera Dallas.-Early life:Barbara Kingsbury was born in San Carlos, Río San Juan,...
as Dr. Charlotte Bennett - Laurene LandonLaurene LandonLaurene Landon is a film and television actress. Laurene first began appearing in movies in the late 1970s. She is best known for playing the role of Molly in ...All the Marbles...
as Velda - Alan KingAlan King (comedian)Alan King was an American actor and comedian known for his biting wit and often angry humorous rants. King became well known as a Jewish comedian and satirist. He was also a serious actor who appeared in a number of movies and television shows. King wrote several books, produced films, and...
as Charles Kalecki - Geoffrey Lewis as Joe Butler
- Paul SorvinoPaul SorvinoPaul Anthony Sorvino is an American actor. He often portrays authority figures on both sides of the law, and is possibly best known for his roles as Paulie Cicero, a portrayal of Paul Vario in the film Goodfellas and Sgt. Phil Cerreta on the police procedural and legal drama television series Law...
as Detective Pat Chambers - Judson ScottJudson ScottJudson Earney Scott is an American stage, film and television actor. He has appeared in a number of science fiction productions, especially within the Star Trek franchise, as well as V and three episodes of The X-Files....
as Charles Kendricks