Code of Silence (1985)

Directed by Andrew Davis. Starring Chuck Norris, Molly Hagan, Dennis Farina, Bert Remsen, Ralph Foody, Joseph Kosala, Henry Silva, Allen Hamilton, Ron Dean, Mike Genovese, Ron Henriquez, Wilbert Bradley, Gene Barge, Mario Nieves. [R]

How’s this for a rare bird: a pretty decent action vehicle for Chuck Norris. He plays a tough Chicago cop who goes after the city’s Mr. Big (Silva) and corruption within the department—the film’s title refers to the practice of the boys in blue “turning a blind eye” on fellow cops behaving badly. It’s formula stuff, to be sure, and Norris is a banal personality in between the action scenes, but director Davis is in his comfort zone in the Windy City, and he and the supporting cast bring enough color, grit and texture to the routine proceedings to deliver the periodic charge of energy missing from the hero…but the crime-fighting robot tank who “lends a hand” during the climax is a bit much. Solid stuntwork and location shooting throughout. Initially conceived in the late-70s as a potential fourth Dirty Harry picture. Making his second film appearance, Farina was still an active-duty Chicago police officer during production.

63/100