Pendulum

After watching this movie you tend to think that this is just the sort of movie that George Peppard would appear in when he was popular in the 1960s. Latching on to the "tough cop" genre Peppard faces the familiar situation of finding himself at odds with his colleagues as well as having to deal with low-lifes. Any fans of 60s cop movies will line this one up alongside the likes of Madigan and The Detective. Not to mention Peppard's own New Face In Hell. There are even strands that would be picked up in later films e.g. The self-seeking politician (Bullitt) and the murderer who gets off on a technicality (Dirty Harry). And, coincidentally Peppard's character Captain Frank Matthews owns a Magnum. Matthews, for all his success, has a rocky marriage. His wife Adele is sleeping with a business associate. Things get complicated when Adele and lover-boy are killed when in bed together. Frank becomes the obvious suspect when his alibi starts to get waterlogged. Not only that, the audience finds out he was lying about where he was! So, was it him after all? Fortunately, by resorting to the usual trick of escaping arrest, Frank has time to figure out who the real murderer is. Of the supporting cast Madeline Sherwood is the standout. When it comes to naive, redneck women she is the go-to gal. As the mother of rapist/murderer Paul Sanderson she is both helpless and selfish. She doesn't want him around but, feels obligated to assist her wayward boy. Robert Lyon is not entirely convincing as Sanderson, turning in a very lame impersonation of James Dean; all snarling and sulky. Matthews boss played by Charles McGraw delivers a by-the-numbers stereotyped performance as the exasperated senior officer who wants to be rid of a maverick subordinate. The movie will be enjoyable to older viewers with its obviously contemporary portrayal of the 60s. The fashions, the huge cars that wallow on their suspensions and the fact that everybody chain-smoked. Not forgetting, no profanity or gratuitous sex. Ah, the old days!

Even though a conviction for the death penalty for an obvious guilty murderer and rapist seems justified, it is overturned because the defendant was held without being read his rights and other standard procedures that can make or break a case. Police lieutenant George Peppard is aghast by this, knowing that his release will mean more rapes, more murders. The murders that occur deeply touch Peppard whose wife and lover are shot to death in cold blood the very night Robert F. Lyons is freed. Not only does Peppard have to deal with the murder of his wife and revelation that she was unfaithful but suspicions that he was the killer and demands for his resignation. Among the supporting cast are Richard Kiley as Lyon's defense attorney, Marj Dusay as Kiley's secretary, Isabel Sanford as Peppard's cleaning lady, Madeline Sherwood as Lyon's hard drinking loose living mother and Logan Ramsey as another officer. The scene where Lyons caresses Dusay's hair is disturbing, and the character is visibly uncomfortable but doesn't say anything. Kiley wants to send him to a psychiatrist but it's obvious that he has no interest in being cured, making him one of the most disgusting villains in film history. Sherwood is particularly effective as the truly sad mother who through her eyes reveals to the audience that she knows she gave birth to a monster. Poor Jean Seberg is wasted as Peppard 's wife (even though she gets second billing), and no real reason for her infidelity is given. Early in the film, Peppard is attacked by anti-death penalty activists which is ironic considering the crimes committed by Lyon's character. Realizing that his case requires strong legal defense, Peppard decides to hire Kiley which could end up killing two birds with one stone. The Washington D.C. setting means both great location footage and political ramifications in regards to both cases, and that sends the pendulum moving quickly and dangerously where the innocent is obviously fighting tirelessly to get out of the pit. The benefit of the doubt does take over with certain details perplexing enough to make you wonder who is the guilty party and if Lyons is innocent, how will the guilt of his other crimes be dealt with? This is a film with a moral that will make you think, that is if you are not perplexed to the unanswered questions that the film leaves.

I had never heard of "Pendulum" before and as shocked how good the movie was. It's definitely among the best films of the 1960s even though it's a rather obscure movie. George Peppard stars as Captain Matthews...a decorated cop who recently arrested a murderous psychopath. However, two things happen that will become important. First, Matthews' wife is cheating on him and he is beginning to suspect the truth. Second, due to a technicality, the psychopath has been released even though everyone knows he is guilty. How do these two things work together to REALLY impact on the Captain? See the film. George Peppard is really good here. The other actor who was a major standout is Robert Lyons as the psychotic murderer and rapist. He's quite smug and chilling! Now one part of the film MIGHT seem like a cliche that isn't is when the Captain escapes from custody after he's arrested (yes, he ends up being arrested for a double murder). Normally, this is a bad plot element...the notion of an innocent man escaping in order to prove he's not guilty. Here it's handled well...as it's obvious that for political reasons the Captain is assumed to be guilty and the cops aren't even considering other options. In a case like this, you can understand Matthews' actions. Overall, a very exciting, taut and suspenseful film...well worth seeing because it is so intelligently made from start to finish. So good, I nearly gave this one a 10....and I almost never do that!

Peppard is ideally cast as inflexibly hard-nosed cop who gets sucked through the looking-glass when indicted for his cheating wife's murder. Charles McGraw and Richard Kiley are both magnificent in the key supporting roles. Dana Elcar and Isabel Sanford also add poignantly amusing support. Director George Schaeffer's pacing and choice of score is perfect for the genre. And, many of the key ironies are even more appropriate today than when the film was made. Very highly recommended.

The one thing that stands out, and possibly because of Peppard's rather "okay" performance, was the work of Robert F. Lyons and Madeleine Sherwood. Lyons makes a wonderful splash as his debut role in this film. I am surprised it has not been commented on before as I see very little work from this period that was on par with this. The work was quite impressive. If you are interested in the detail of an actor's craft, watch these two actors and their chemistry. They are just a joy to watch. Overall,the film was okay. A little slow at times but it has some nice twists that make up for the rather slow story. Hang in there though, it gets exciting toward the end!

Great story with wonderful acting. George Peppard does his normal great job. I had not know of the absolutely beautiful Jean Seberg before this movie. I read up about her and what a tragically short life. Even back then the FBI was playing games. This film has you certain who the killer is right up until the end. Pendulum certainly addresses the Miranda decision, with regard to the rights of the accused. With the last lines of this movie the arguments for and against are summarized and the viewer is left to decide for themselves the answer. The death penalty is also addressed and also has the viewer questioning its use. It is a very fine mystery. If you are a George Peppard fan you will like it even more.

On my virw, "pre-judgement" is the skeleton of this movie. Even the famous legal phrase : " A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty" can not overshadow the pre-judgement of people , senator and even his Police colleagues. I have also my pre-judgement as follows: It beats me why a handsome policeman ( George Peppard) should be betrayed by his wife. What was his shortcoming? Money? We do not understand from the movie. My other other pre-judgement is based on the short role of Jean Seberg . Why was her role short given the length of movie. Perhaps the director wanted to surprise the viewers as what Hitchcock did for the role of Janet Leigh in the Psycho movie. Why that young criminal was free on his first night of his imprisonment/ incarceration? Finally, to me, the conclusion was somewhat quick.

A bit preachy in the Jack Webb style but plot wise it's a good movie to spend 100 minutes watching. Peppard leads the cast. Seberg is hardly present in the movie yet she receives 2nd billing. The supporting cast is good with a few tv familiar faces including Dana Elcar and Isabelle Sanford. The exterior shots are interesting to see as a time capsule of Washington DC in 1968. The Columbia back lot used for many tv shows is used but with an obvious matte painting to hide some of the wide shots that would have shown to much of the studio. The content is mature but it is not a film to be given as many ads say an R rating by the mpaa. It would most likely be rated PG today no more no less. No nudity, no severe language, violent but not terribly unwatchable. It could be on tv today completely uncut. It's definitely not R! Enjoy.