The Seven-Ups 1973 Philip D'Antoni

So what I think is interesting about this D'Antoni film, and what some sociology/film student should write about some day, is how these types of cop films might have changed America's orientation toward cops.

In the early 70s cops in the USA did not have the best reputations. In 1968 the whole world saw ignorant, aggressive cops beating defenseless students protesting the Vietnam War in Chicago.

But suddenly in the early 70s you get a slew of 'good cop' films.

The formula seemed the same in each. You did not see cops who interfaced with the general public and who might kill a black man for selling cigarettes on the streets or who might beat up a hapless student.  Hollywood depicted cops who interfaced with the really really bad guys - so bad everyone could agree they were bad guys.

This made the cops good guys.

People didn't notice these were specially trained, higher level cops, these cops began to stand in for the normal cops who had helped destroy the reputation of all cops.

These days, with sentiment angling away from cops again, it might be interesting to see how Hollywood reacts.  Will it unleash a whole new slew of good cop films? Or will it begin to portray cops in a more realistic and less idealized manner?