Prince of the City 1981
"A cop is turning. Nobody's safe."
Sidney Lumet's gripping crime drama *Prince of the City* (1981) plunges into the morally treacherous world of New York City's police department, where corruption runs as deep as the city's rain-soaked streets.
Director: Sidney Lumet
Cast
Treat Williams
Daniel Ciello
Jerry Orbach
Gus Levy
Richard Foronjy
Joe Marinaro
Don Billett
Bill Mayo
Kenny Marino
Dom Bando
Carmine Caridi
Gino Mascone
Tony Page
Raf Alvarez
Norman Parker
Rick Cappalino
Paul Roebling
Brooks Paige
Bob Balaban
Santimassino
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Prince of the City (1981) about?
This crime drama follows NYPD detective Daniel Ciello, who agrees to expose corruption in his own department to the Department of Justice—but refuses to name his close friends. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a dangerous conspiracy involving drug trafficking and collusion within the police force.
Who directed Prince of the City?
The film was directed by Sidney Lumet, a master of gritty, socially conscious cinema known for his work on films like *Dog Day Afternoon* and *12 Angry Men*.
Who stars in Prince of the City?
The film features Treat Williams in the lead role, supported by Jerry Orbach, Richard Foronjy, Don Billett, and Carmine Caridi.
Is Prince of the City (1981) worth watching?
Absolutely—if you love morally complex crime dramas with sharp direction and stellar performances. Lumet's film is a tense, thought-provoking exploration of loyalty and corruption, and it holds up as a gripping narrative about the personal cost of doing the right thing.
How long is Prince of the City?
The film runs for 167 minutes, offering a deep dive into its layered story and intense character dynamics.
🎥 Trailer
Prince of the City (1981): A Gritty Crime Drama That Tests Loyalty — Full Movie Info
Sidney Lumet's gripping crime drama *Prince of the City* (1981) plunges into the morally treacherous world of New York City's police department, where corruption runs as deep as the city's rain-soaked streets. Detective Daniel Ciello, played with raw intensity by Treat Williams, faces an impossible choice: collaborate with the Department of Justice to expose widespread graft or betray the close-knit circle of officers he's worked alongside for years. The film unfolds like a pressure cooker, blending tense thriller elements with the weighty drama of a man torn between duty and loyalty. As Ciello digs deeper, he uncovers a chilling conspiracy involving drug smuggling and collusion that shakes the very foundations of the force.
Lumet crafts a claustrophobic atmosphere, where every shadowy alley and hushed conversation crackles with tension. The story explores themes of betrayal, survival, and the cost of integrity, all wrapped in the grimy, unflinching realism that defines Lumet's filmmaking. With its sprawling runtime, *Prince of the City* delivers a marathon of moral dilemmas and high-stakes confrontations, leaving audiences breathless as the lines between hero and villain blur.
