Director: Peter Yates

Writer: Paul Monash

From novel by: George V. Higgins

Keywords: Crime

Name	Occupation	Birth	Death	Known for
Peter Boyle	Actor	18-Oct-1935	12-Dec-2006	Young Frankenstein
Richard Jordan	Actor	19-Jul-1938	30-Aug-1993	Logan's Run
Margaret Ladd	Actor	8-Nov-1942		Emma Channing on Falcon Crest
Robert Mitchum	Actor	6-Aug-1917	1-Jul-1997	Cape Fear
Alex Rocco	Actor	29-Feb-1936	18-Jul-2015	Moe Greene in The Godfather
Mitchell Ryan	Actor	11-Jan-1928		Edward Montgomery on Dharma & Greg
Joe Santos	Actor	9-Jun-1931	18-Mar-2016	Det. Becker on Rockford Files
James Tolkan	Actor	20-Jun-1931		Back to the Future

REVIEWS

Review by anonymous (posted on 1-Feb-2007)

This is a fabulous adaptation of George V. Higgins novel. While the movie had to be abridged, it still captures the intrigue of the novel. In fact, scenes that were omitted from Mr. Higgin's novel make this movie much more suspenseful. Robert Mitchum delivers what can be considered one of his most grossly under-rated performances. While his character oozes weariness, he also exudes a cunning shiftiness that tries to balance his self-interest with his mob loyalties. Subtle, yet gritty, performances by co-stars, Richard Jordan, Peter Boyle, and Joe Santos, causes one to develope empathy for Eddie "Fingers." Definately, one of the finest movies ever produce in the 1970's, and maybe one of the finest crime-dramas ever committed to the silver screen. While "The Yakuza" tends to garner more attention for Mitchum fans. His subtle performance as the down-on-his-luck Irish hoodlum, demonstrates Robert Mitchum's true range as an actor. It's a shame that this movie classic of the early 1970's in unavailabe on either video or DVD. If more people could witness this work-of-genius, then maybe it would receive the proper respect that it deserves!

Review by anonymous (posted on 18-Oct-2006)

In the late 1990s, Boston was rocked by news that federal agents had long-allowed the Irish crime boss, Whitey Bulger, to rule his crime empire with a free hand in exchange for information about the Itlaian crime syndicates. Although this news shocked the people of Boston, anyone who had seen "the Friends of Eddie Coyle", knew that the incestuous relationship between the cops and the crooks is far older and deeper than the current scandal revealed. Based on the late great George V Higgins'novel of the same name, it predated the current scandal by 25 years. Robert Mitchum plays Eddie "Fingers" Coyle, a "stand up guy" who has jsut been released from prison for gun-running. He is no snitch and will never turn on the guys he was involved with, despite intense pressure form federal agents to talk. Mitchum is world-weary and tough and best of all, he doesn't try to fake a Boston accent. Of course, the feds are actually involved with the crooks that Eddie was trying to protect and he is finally set-up to deliver guns to a gang of student ancharists. to reveal more would ruin the story. The movie gives a very believable picture of the bleak world of the Boston crime scene in the early '70s (hwich we were to find out later was when Whitey Bulger was ruling the roost.) there have been some very good movies about the Irish crime scene in boston, including "Mystic River" and "The Departed". But for my money, the first, "eddie coyle" is still the best.

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