Madigan

Madigan

Year: 1968

Runtime: 101 mins

Language: English

Director: Don Siegel

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Detectives Bonaro and Madigan lose their sidearms when fugitive Barney Benesch steals them, and the precinct gives them a weekend to track him down and bring him to justice. Meanwhile, Commissioner Russell handles official duties, attends ceremonies, consoles grieving families, and supports the spouses of fallen officers.

Madigan (1968) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Madigan (1968) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the cramped, humming precinct of New York’s Spanish Harlem, the pulse of the city beats through every hallway and street corner. The film paints a gritty, unvarnished portrait of a police force caught between the relentless grind of patrols and the weight of the neighborhoods they police. Shadows linger over dimly lit apartments, and the constant hum of traffic serves as a backdrop to a world where order is always a step behind chaos.

Madigan and Bonaro are veteran detectives whose partnership is forged in years of hard‑won street knowledge and a shared willingness to bend the rules when necessary. When a dangerous fugitive walks away with their sidearms, the department gives them a tight deadline—a weekend—to retrieve the weapons and bring the suspect to justice. The urgency of that clock fuels a tense cat‑and‑mouse pursuit, while also exposing the strain that such pressure puts on their professional camaraderie and personal resolve.

Overseeing the chaos from the top floor, Russell carries the burden of the badge’s highest authority. He spends his days juggling official ceremonies, consoling grieving families, and offering support to the spouses of fallen officers. His role is less about directing investigations and more about holding the fragile morale of an entire force together, a task made more complex by the ever‑present undercurrents of politics and public scrutiny.

Beyond the badge, each character wrestles with the pull of personal life. Madigan’s marriage teeters on the edge as his wife grapples with the dangers and emptiness his job creates, while the precinct’s social functions hint at a world where camaraderie and temptation mix dangerously. The film’s tone remains taut and atmospheric, inviting the audience to feel the weight of duty, the allure of redemption, and the uneasy balance between the law’s rigid order and the city’s chaotic heartbeat.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:19

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Gritty police procedural despair like in Madigan

Stories of flawed detectives worn down by a corrupt and unforgiving system.If you liked the bleak, realistic portrayal of police work in Madigan, this thread gathers movies with a similar feel. These are stories of flawed detectives, systemic corruption, and the heavy emotional toll of the job, offering a raw and unflinching look at crime and justice.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a detective or officer struggling against both external criminals and internal corruption. The protagonist's dedication is tested, often leading to moral compromise, personal loss, or tragedy, underscoring the futility of fighting a broken system.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped for their shared dark tone, high-intensity stakes, and heavy emotional weight. They create a cohesive experience through their focus on the grim realities of police work, flawed protagonists, and endings that are often sad or bleak.

Tense manhunt thrillers with a deadline like in Madigan

High-stakes pursuits where a ticking clock raises the pressure and personal cost.For viewers who enjoyed the high-pressure fugitive chase in Madigan, this section features movies with a similar race-against-time structure. These thrillers focus on determined manhunts, escalating stakes, and the heavy personal toll exacted on those leading the pursuit.

tenseanxiousrelentlessfatalisticurgentwearyhigh-stakes

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist or team given a limited time frame to capture a elusive target. The pursuit is physically and emotionally grueling, often forcing characters to confront their own limits and failings, with the climax frequently resulting in significant loss.

Why These Movies?

These films share a steady, urgent pacing driven by a clear deadline, creating consistent high tension. They are united by their focus on the mechanics and emotional weight of a pursuit, where the journey is as much about the hunter's unraveling as it is about catching the prey.

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Madigan Summary

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Madigan Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Madigan

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Madigan

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