The Organization

The Organization

Year: 1971

Runtime: 108 mins

Language: English

Director: Don Medford

CrimeDramaMysteryActionThriller

An incorruptible detective dares to confront the shadowy criminal network known as “The Organization.” When a band of idealistic youths infiltrates a corporation’s headquarters and confiscates $5 million of heroin to keep it off the streets, they turn to San Francisco Police Lieutenant Virgil Tibbs, who launches a determined effort to bring the syndicate down.

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Timeline & Setting – The Organization (1971)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Organization (1971). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1970s

The story takes place in a contemporary 1970s setting, reflecting urban crime and social tensions of the era. Investigations move through offices, streets, and construction sites, underscoring a period of upheaval and reform in American cities.

Location

San Francisco, California, Montgomery Street Station construction site

The events unfold in San Francisco, centered around a break-in at a corporate headquarters and the city’s hidden drug network. The unfinished Montgomery Street Station construction site provides a tense backdrop for chases and confrontations. The urban landscape of the city frames the clash between law enforcement, revolutionaries, and criminal enterprises.

🗺️ Urban 🏙️ City 🏢 Corporate

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:39

Main Characters – The Organization (1971)

Meet the key characters of The Organization (1971), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier)

A principled and resourceful detective who is drawn into a complex plot involving a break-in and a drug-front operation. He navigates tension with his superiors, forges uneasy alliances with revolutionaries, and uses his intelligence to uncover the truth while facing significant personal risk.

🕵️‍♂️ Detective ⚖️ Justice 💡 Clever

Juan Mendoza (Raúl Juliá)

A cunning member of the revolutionary group who engages the drug dealers and orchestrates exchange schemes to leverage the gang and expose the organization. He operates with risk-taking and strategic thinking.

🪧 Activist 💡 Strategist 🔎 Networking

Mrs. Morgan (Sheree North)

A civilian connected to the case who becomes a focal point of suspicion as the investigation searches for links to the drug operation. Her actions reflect fear, vulnerability, and potential complicity.

👩‍⚖️ Suspect 🧩 Key Witness 🏃‍♀️ Fearful

Sgt. Chassman (Daniel J. Travanti)

A police sergeant whose role reveals the tensions within the investigation and the pressures of enforcing the law within a flawed system. He embodies institutional hurdles that Tibbs must navigate.

👮 Police 🧭 Authority 🧠 Pragmatic

André (Oscar Beregi Jr.)

A senior figure within the criminal network, symbolizing the organized leadership behind the drug trafficking. He embodies the calculated, entrenched opposition Tibbs seeks to dismantle.

🕯️ Leader 💼 Criminal 🧠 Calculating

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:39

Major Themes – The Organization (1971)

Explore the central themes of The Organization (1971), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💼 Power & Corruption

The plot reveals how corporate fronts can mask illegal activity, with the pursuit of money and control driving both crime and police work. Tibbs navigates a system where authority is questioned and moral lines blur as he probes beneath the surface of the organization.

🤝 Complicity & Loyalty

Characters align with or oppose the revolutionary group and law enforcement, testing loyalties and showing how individuals justify questionable alliances for personal or collective goals.

⚔️ Violence & Consequences

Brutal acts, murders, and mob violence propel the narrative, illustrating how violence escalates as truth is sought and witnesses are placed at risk.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:39

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Unlock the Full Story of The Organization

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Organization in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Organization is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Organization Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Organization, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Organization Summary

The Organization Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Organization with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Organization Timeline

More About The Organization

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More About The Organization

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