Watch The Star Chamber

The Star Chamber is a thrilling crime drama film from 1983 that stars Michael Douglas, Hal Holbrook, and Yaphet Kotto in leading roles. The film is directed by Peter Hyams, who has also written the screenplay. The story of The Star Chamber revolves around a group of judges who are frustrated with the limitations of the legal system. They are responsible for ruling on some of the most heinous crimes in the city, but they are often forced to let guilty criminals go free because of technicalities or lack of evidence. The judges feel that the justice system is too lenient and they are deeply disillusioned by their inability to administer justice in a meaningful way.

At the center of the film is Judge Steven Hardin, played by Michael Douglas. Hardin is a new judge who is still idealistic and hopeful that he can make a difference in the justice system. However, as he presides over more and more trials, he becomes increasingly frustrated by the limitations of the law. He becomes disillusioned and starts to question whether he is actually making a difference.

One day, Judge Hardin is introduced to a secret society called the Star Chamber. This is a group of judges who take the law into their own hands and dispense vigilante justice to criminals who slip through the cracks of the legal system. They investigate crimes, gather evidence, and then make a decision on whether the accused is guilty or not. If they deem the person guilty, they order a hitman to eliminate the criminal.

Initially, Judge Hardin is horrified by the idea and rejects their offer to join the Star Chamber. However, after he becomes personally involved in a case where a child molester goes free on a technicality, he begins to reconsider his position. He decides to become a member of the Star Chamber and is soon swept up into the world of vigilante justice.

As the story progresses, tensions within the Star Chamber begin to mount. They start to disagree on what constitutes a just punishment for a criminal and factions begin to emerge within the group. Judge Hardin finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between the different members of the Star Chamber, unsure of who to trust and what to do.

The Star Chamber is a tense and thought-provoking film that raises questions about the limitations of the justice system and the role of vigilante justice in society. It features powerful performances from its leading cast, especially Michael Douglas, who delivers a nuanced portrayal of a judge struggling to balance his ideals with the harsh realities of the legal system. The film is beautifully shot and features a suspenseful soundtrack that helps to build tension throughout.

Overall, The Star Chamber is a gripping crime drama that explores the complex moral questions around justice and punishment. It is a thought-provoking film that is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

The Star Chamber is a 1983 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 60.