The Star Chamber (1983)
Country: US
Technical: col/scope 109m
Director: Peter Hyams
Cast: Michael Douglas, Hal Holbrook, Yaphet Kotto
Synopsis:
A judge convenes his own vigilante court out of desperation at the lack of justice for victims of crime.
Review:
Deserving of more attention than it received at the time, this starts off very right wing, then doubles back for cover behind the safety of the law, following as it does so the bent of the Douglas character's mind. We just about buy this, since the script is careful enough to present a pretty flukey example of the miscarriage of justice. His eventual betrayal of the chamber, however, seems an attack of righteousness too far. Nicely directed by Hyams, with a tracking style reminiscent of Outland especially, and a climactic showdown which keeps us guessing.
Country: US
Technical: col/scope 109m
Director: Peter Hyams
Cast: Michael Douglas, Hal Holbrook, Yaphet Kotto
Synopsis:
A judge convenes his own vigilante court out of desperation at the lack of justice for victims of crime.
Review:
Deserving of more attention than it received at the time, this starts off very right wing, then doubles back for cover behind the safety of the law, following as it does so the bent of the Douglas character's mind. We just about buy this, since the script is careful enough to present a pretty flukey example of the miscarriage of justice. His eventual betrayal of the chamber, however, seems an attack of righteousness too far. Nicely directed by Hyams, with a tracking style reminiscent of Outland especially, and a climactic showdown which keeps us guessing.
Country: US
Technical: col/scope 109m
Director: Peter Hyams
Cast: Michael Douglas, Hal Holbrook, Yaphet Kotto
Synopsis:
A judge convenes his own vigilante court out of desperation at the lack of justice for victims of crime.
Review:
Deserving of more attention than it received at the time, this starts off very right wing, then doubles back for cover behind the safety of the law, following as it does so the bent of the Douglas character's mind. We just about buy this, since the script is careful enough to present a pretty flukey example of the miscarriage of justice. His eventual betrayal of the chamber, however, seems an attack of righteousness too far. Nicely directed by Hyams, with a tracking style reminiscent of Outland especially, and a climactic showdown which keeps us guessing.