Plot
Gregory Ulas Powell is a disturbed ex-con who recruits Jimmy Lee "Youngblood" Smith, a petty thief, as his partner in crime. Powell panics one night when the two of them are pulled over by a pair of cops for broken brake lights. Powell decides to kidnap the cops, and Smith, as always, reluctantly goes along with Powell's crazy scheme. The group drives out to a deserted onion field in Bakersfield, California, and one officer is shot while the other escapes. The remainder of the film explores the nature of the American justice system, as well as the devastating psychological effects of this event, and the trial on the surviving officer.
Written by
Joseph Wambaugh, Eric Roth
Directed by
Harold Becker
Crew
Production Countries
United States of America
Production Companies
Black Marble Productions, AVCO Embassy Pictures
Languages
English
Awards
1 win & 3 nominations