The Onion Field

If you liked Jon Savage in "Maria's Lovers," or James Woods in "Once Upon a Time in America," you'll definitely want to have a look at "The Onion Field." These two can channel tortured soul and quirky perversity like nobody's business.Technically, I probably should not offer a critique having seen it only once. As Robert Altmann said, at the initial viewing you're in 'who-dun-it mode;' only a second look puts you in a position to appreciate how the parts fit into the whole. But since I'm recommending the film I'll allow myself this breach of etiquette. "The Onion Field" begins promisingly enough, with James Woods' riveting creepiness and the strong performances of all involved, and it remains highly watchable through the murder. But it falls apart in the court-room scenes, which, oddly enough for a true story, strain credulity. They feel like an epilogue rather than the third act of the story. (So much for reality.) This is the dilemma of all court-room dramas and few are the directors who successfully avoid a slackening of tension. Granted, "The Onion Field" is not a thriller; its suspense arises organically out of key scenes and is not mined to keep us on the edge of our seats. It is not a manipulative film in that sense. Still, a film needs to have pulse and continuity, whether through character development or emplotment.What keeps the film from greatness is its literalism, the true-to-actual-events quality its writer (Joseph Wambaugh) and director (Harold Becker) prided themselves on. The straight-forward, non-elliptical narration of the murder of a policeman is purely functional. And to be fair, Becker's classical approach works for the most part. So if you like your storytelling straight as a made-for-television movie, you won't be disappointed. That's a wholly legitimate approach and can be at least as effective as the splintering, hand-held and non-linear techniques that have recently crossed-over from the art film into mainstream cinema.Becker and Wambaugh are more interested in being true to the story than in the post-production editing and scoring process necessary to make a film--and not just a story--compelling. A less by-the-numbers score might have helped. And a little stylistic panache could have glossed over the plot's failure to twist and spike. The problem with true to life stories is that they tend to fizzle out in the post-dramatic lives of their protagonists.Rather than going deeper into James Woods' character, we're diverted into the lives of tangential ones. I see that as the main miscalculation. By trying to cover all who were impacted by the murder the film leads us down a series of (empathic) dead-ends. We are given no motivation to be invested in the lives of the bereaved, who's only dramatic function (and dimension) is to indicate traumatic loss. Atom Egoyan was able to make a mesmerizing film about the collective implication of a catastrophe ("The Sweet Hereafter"), but Becker is not artist enough to pull that off. Instead of sweep and poetry, we get a series episodes that declare: "this also happened."So why acquire this DVD? Because it has a superior transfer--even on my HD laptop screen (somewhat of a surprise considering it's an MGM release); because it boasts strong performances by great actors, and because it's filmed with the classical restraint (no hand-held mannerisms) that invites repeat viewings. Finally, because it's a good (and well-behaved) film, which is saying something.

I hadn't seen THE ONION FIELD IN 30 years (on commercial tv) so seeing this uncut was quite a treat even if final 20 minutes - revived by the "oh no" gut-wrenching, "babysitting" scene - drags and doesn't seem to know when or just how to end!THE ONION FIELD is where one cop's personal nightmare begins and continues because of legal system formalities. Reliving the crime in testimony over and over inevitably causes psychological trauma for Officer Hettinger (John Savage).James Woods sent his career in motion with his performance of a career criminal. His character, as we eventually learn, is much more than just manipulating. He is a bulls*** artist, despicable, and quite intelligent! Very learn-ed before all is said and done.That said, the point of this true story seems to be (especially back in 1963) that the law bends (bent) over backwards for the rights of the criminal.John Savage and Franklin Seales (career thief - really doesn't know who parents were - talk about never having a chance) also give very convincing performances showcasing scenes sometimes difficult to watch by the "real" discomfort we (the viewer) get to 'feel' of someone in a very trying, private and/or personal moment (a crying, disturbed bedroom scene AND a public crying shower scene come to mind).This movie just misses being a terrific character study in the same vein as In Cold Blood.If you are looking for an action movie like Lethal Weapon and Rush Hour or even 48 Hrs (note sequels and comic references) you may be looking up the wrong cop movie tree. Again, Joseph Wambaugh's THE ONION FIELD does deserve comparison to Capote's novel turned movie.There is very good authentic dialogue (of the street) as well as that simpler feeling for the 1960's. Were these cops a little naive?And THE ONION FIELD, re-lived, is a nightmare of inevitable tears echoing in those multiple screams. It is stories like this that helped in the rehabilitation process of suffering law enforcement officials.

DAD WAS A POILCE MAN WHEN THIS HAPPEN SO COOL & i WAS VERY YOUNG NOW OLDER THEN DRIT i JUST HAD TO GET THIS FOR HIM . THANKS !

Oldie but still pretty good movie 👍🏻

A story police officer/author Joseph Wambaugh believes he was born to write. As a member of the LA police force during the time of these events, and with deep research and strict adherence to the truth for his book of the same title, Wambaugh held himself to to the same standard of integrity when writing the screenplay. In making the film, director Harold Becker and the actors made film choices that stuck to the truth, rather than manipulating scenes for movie effect. This disc has insightful interviews and commentaries. Well acted by all members of the cast and Ted Danson's first film. James Woods, as the sociopath is frightening. Some scenes filmed on actual locations.

Bought for my mom, perfect condition, she loves it.

This movie is reminiscent of "In Cold Blood" because of the tragedy of it, and it's "duo" plot line, but is I think a much better rendition of the book, and Woods is outstanding in his role. You really get to where you like, but don't like this guy! You can see how he traps and sucks people in with his charm, but see his totally maniacal side as well. He really is a sick puppy in this!It is a haunting movie that you will have scenes in your head for years, and certain lines will stay with you always if you are a true movie fan.Ted Danson has a really good, if not brief (you'll see what I mean) part in the movie. It really is one that if you like this type of movie fare you will watch this one again and again on a Saturday afternoon curled up on the couch with the dog while your team is getting slaughtered on the gridiron!One that I had to search out as part of my collection! A must see!

残念ながら、カット版でした。カット版ならば、表記していただきたいです。

This is a really good film enjoyed watching it on dvd

Good, Would have preferred a DVD. The publisher seems to have discontinued them and they are now at collectors items prices and not really worth it TBH.

Excellent

Excellent dvd brilliant delivered delivered well before time thanks.