The First Deadly Sin DVD
(1980) Frank Sinatra and Faye Dunaway
REGION 4 PAL AUSTRALIAN RELEASE
SHIPS FROM SYDNEY
Summary :
Lawrence Sanders' bestseller The First Deadly
Sin gave Frank Sinatra his first starring movie role in a decade. His
haunting work as a veteran cop at loose ends turned out to be his final
performance.While his wife (Faye Dunaway) lies hospitalised near death,
NYPD detective Edward X. Delaney (Sinatra) takes on a tough murder case.
He's always gone by the book but his present circumstances are wearing
on him - and he might just bend the rules to nail the killer (David
Dukes). Aided by a museum curator (Martin Gabel), a gruff coroner (James
Whitmore) and a victim's widow (Brenda Vaccaro), he orchestrates a
meticulous manhunt. One mistake and the killer goes free. Delaney's plan
must not fail.
Review :
Above-average police procedural
based on the excellent novel by Lawrence Sanders. The Chairman of the
Board delivers a powerful performance as Sgt. Detective Edward X.
Delany, and David Dukes's Daniel Blank is suitably psychotic (if a bit
tamer than in the novel). Plays somewhat fast and loose with the
adaption, but still does the book justice. Like the book, this is
somewhat slow paced and character-driven, but Sinatra does such a good
job at making Delany human and making the audience emote for him that
the shortcomings seem minimal. If you are a fan of Sanders, police
procedurals, or Frank Sinatra, then this film is certainly worth
checking out.