Is A Police Inspector Calls Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1974)

📖 The Core Premise

A Police Inspector Calls returns to the screen in 1974, bringing a fresh narrative to the Action, Crime, Thriller genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "The Iron Guard, also known as Legion of Archangel Michael, was a Romanian nationalist and patriotic movement of extreme right; as such, after it rose to power, it supported Nazi Germany and started a fierce campaign of retaliation against its political enemies. As such, in the night of November 26-27, 1940, the Death Teams executed forty political prisoners in the Jilava prison (in the movie, named "Viraga"), and next day, other two Teams arrested and shot the former minister Virgil Madgearu and the world famous historian Nicolae Iorga. To squash down the political outcry, the Police Prefect Stefan Zävoianu conveniently assigns the cases to a commissioner from the "Morals Division" (prostitution, thieves), Tudor Moldovan, hoping that he will fail to get to the bottom of the case. However, Moldovan has communist sympathies, so he quickly comes under the influence of the Bolshevik Pîrvu, who had escaped during the Viraga..."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In A Police Inspector Calls, Sergiu Nicolaescu delivers a performance that anchors the emotional weight of the film. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Action. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is A Police Inspector Calls worth your time? If you appreciate Action, Crime, Thriller films that take risks, this is likely a must-watch. It stands out as one of the stronger entries of 1974, offering enough depth to satisfy critical viewers while remaining accessible to casual audiences.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, A Police Inspector Calls is a solid addition to the genre. With a runtime of 114 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Definitely Watch.