I, the Jury (1982 film)

"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. Fact|date=February 2007

The film begins with a James-Bond-like teaser opening before the story begins. The plot involves P.I. Hammer discovering that a friend, Jack Williams, a one-armed detective, has been murdered and he begins investigating in an attempt to find out what happened. It turns out that there is a serial rapist involved as well as a sex therapy clinic headed up by sexy Dr. Charlotte Bennett (Carrera). The plot also 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 having too much nudity and violence. 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 Assante as Mike Hammer
*Barbara Carrera as Dr. Charlotte Bennett
*Laurene Landon as Velda
*Alan King as Charles Kalecki
*Geoffrey Lewis as Joe Butler
*Paul Sorvino as Detective Pat Chambers
*Judson Scott as Charles Kendricks

External links

* [http://movies2.nytimes.com/mem/movies/review.html?title1=&title2=I%2c%20The%20Jury%20%28Movie%29&reviewer=JENNIFER%20DUNNING&pdate=19821011&v_id=24212 New York Times Review October 11, 1982]