Watch The Choirboys

The Choirboys is a 1977 film based on the novel written by Joseph Wambaugh. The film is directed by Robert Aldrich and revolves around a group of police officers who have turned their weekly beat patrol vehicle into a club house, where they engage in drinking and sexual activities after completing their duty. The movie is set in the 1970s during the peak of the crime wave, and the officers are faced with dealing with the harsh realities of their job and the emotional toll that it takes on them.

The main characters are played by a great cast featuring Charles Durning, Louis Gossett Jr., Perry King, Randy Quaid, and many others. The story revolves around a group of Los Angeles police officers who work the night shift and have formed a close bond. The officers call themselves the "choirboys" due to their outrageous behavior and constant bantering on the job. The movie begins with the choirboys getting into a drunken brawl with a group of gang members, which results in them getting punished by their commanding officer.

As the movie progresses, the choirboys become more and more troubled by the harsh realities of their work. They are often exposed to violence, drugs, and prostitution, which takes a toll on their mental and physical health. They begin to use their club house as a sanctuary from the outside world, where they can deal with their emotional issues through drinking and other distractions. However, their actions don't go unnoticed, as they are constantly under scrutiny from their superiors and internal affairs.

The Choirboys features a great ensemble cast of established and emerging actors, all of whom deliver strong performances. Charles Durning stands out as the weathered patrol sergeant who's been on the job for years and imparts his wisdom onto the younger officers. Perry King plays the young and ambitious officer who's eager to make an impression in the department. Louis Gossett Jr. plays the officer who's struggling with alcoholism and PTSD, and Randy Quaid plays the dimwitted officer who's in over his head.

The movie is a gritty and realistic portrayal of police work in the 1970s, with its portrayal of officers struggling with alcoholism, PTSD, and depression. The Choirboys also tackles issues of police brutality, corruption, and racism, all of which are still relevant today. Despite these heavy themes, the movie also has its moments of humor and levity, which help to balance out the heavy subject matter.

The movie is beautifully shot and captures the dark and seedy underbelly of Los Angeles during that time period. The film features a great soundtrack featuring classic rock and roll songs from the era, which adds to the gritty feel of the movie.

Overall, The Choirboys is a great film that deserves to be remembered as a classic. It's an honest and unflinching portrayal of police work and the toll it takes on the officers who perform it. The film is a must-see for fans of gritty crime dramas and features a top-notch cast delivering strong performances. It's a movie that remains relevant today and serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges that police officers face on a daily basis.

The Choirboys is a 1977 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.