The Laughing Policeman
Performance & Direction: The Laughing Policeman Review
Last updated: January 27, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Laughing Policeman (1973) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Laughing Policeman features a noteworthy lineup led by Walter Matthau . Supported by the likes of Bruce Dern and Louis Gossett Jr. , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Laughing Policeman (1973) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.2/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Laughing Policeman
Quick Plot Summary: The Laughing Policeman is a Crime, Thriller film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Laughing Policeman
Ending Breakdown: The Laughing Policeman concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Laughing Policeman reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Laughing Policeman Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Laughing Policeman incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, thriller film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Laughing Policeman adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Laughing Policeman?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Laughing Policeman
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $2.3M |
| Worldwide Gross | $1.7M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Laughing Policeman Budget
The estimated production budget for The Laughing Policeman is $2.3M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Laughing Policeman
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Where to Watch The Laughing Policeman Online?
Streaming HubThe Laughing Policeman Parents Guide & Age Rating
1973 AdvisoryWondering about The Laughing Policeman age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Laughing Policeman is 112 minutes (1h 52m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.2/10, and global performance metrics, The Laughing Policeman is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1973 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Laughing Policeman worth watching?
The Laughing Policeman is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.2/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Laughing Policeman parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Laughing Policeman identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Laughing Policeman?
The total duration of The Laughing Policeman is 112 minutes, which is approximately 1h 52m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Laughing Policeman
From the early-70's zenith of crime and police-centered films, 'The Laughing Policeman' deserves credit, respect and recognition as a fine, gritty, accurate work that shows the way real officers interact and go through their work-days and solve crimes. Walter Matthau, mostly known for his astute comedic touch, is excellent, as is Bruce Dern, who's promoted to an uneasy partnership with Matthau, when the latter's partner, who was on vacation yet took an unsolved case home with him, is at the wrong place at the wrong time, part of a brutal mass murder on board a bus. The well-directed script shows how alienated a good policeman is from his family, how hated he is by most of the community, and the blind alleys and dead ends he has to go through in order to solve the case, and have it hold up in a court of law. It's 'Dirty Harry' or the 'French Connection' films done honestly, not as a fever dream of wish fulfillment from the policeman's perspective (though I must admit I love those too!)...
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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