Law and Order
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Frederick Wiseman
William Brayne
Andrea Green
Carter Howard
David Martin
Robbin Mason
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
The activities of the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department are examined. Scenes include a confrontation in which an angry landlady accuses a tenant of throwing a knife at her spouse and the attempt of a black youth to take his child away from his wife. Three policemen and black neighbors restrain a 17-year-old car thief who has wrecked three automobiles while trying to escape. While interrogating a novice prostitute, a policeman chokes her so violently that she is unable to answer his questions. After an abortive attempt to rob a clothing store, three black adolescents are arrested; one of the three is an unarmed youth who claims to be a customer. Cadets are briefed on community relations. Irritated by an officer's refusal to help him find a place to spend the night, a transient decries police brutality and the Vietnamese conflict. The police remove a vomiting drunk from the sidewalk, aid the victim of a purse snatcher, entertain a lost child at the station, and discuss the inadequacy of their salaries. The film is concluded with Richard Nixon's 1968 campaign promise to make American cities safe from crime.
Director
Frederick Wiseman
Crew
William Brayne
Andrea Green
Carter Howard
David Martin
Robbin Mason
Susan Primm
Frederick Wiseman
Frederick Wiseman
Frederick Wiseman
Frederick Wiseman
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Filmed in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1968. First shown on NET on March 2, 1969.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States Winter January 1, 1969
Received an Emmy Award as the best news documentary of 1969.
Shown at docfest: New York International Documentary Festival June 2-6, 1999.
Shown at FILMEX: Los Angeles International Film Exposition (A Tribute to Frederick Wiseman) March 18-31, 1976.
Shown in New York City (Film Forum) as part of program "60's Verite" November 14 - December 11, 1997.
b&w
Released in United States Winter January 1, 1969
