5 Of The Best Police Cover-Ups In Movies

In the movies at least, it seems that every officer encounters that inexorable lure to the dark side. With the upcoming home entertainment release of Marauders on 20th February we’ve decided to take a look at five of the best films which deal with these themes. Trust us; these titles will be enough to make you believe Mick Jagger’s line that ‘every cop is a criminal’

Marauders

Source: YouTube

Marauders is an exhilarating, high-octane thriller which follows all-star cast comprised of Bruce Willis, Dave Bautista and Christopher Meloni  as they gamble in the world of high-stakes bank heists.

The story opens with the fall-out after four armed robbers attack Hubert National Bank, and all evidence appears to point to the high powered manager and his clients.  As the fatal robberies continue, it’s up to a team of tenacious FBI agents to uncover the wider conspiracy at play…

A series of ever-winding twists and turns render this a must see! Tune in to find out who is truly innocent or guilty, and who will eventually find redemption.

The Godfather

Source: Royal Albert Hall

Arguably one of the most famous films of all time in its own right; Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather follows Michael, the young and idealistic son of Vito Corleone, head of the most powerful mafia clan in New York.  Despite his best efforts, Michael is somewhat inevitably drawn into his family’s criminal underworld business. The theme of corruption, including that of the police, rages around this epic narrative in all forms. Viewers can watch agog as the clan engage in dodgy dealings with the crooked Irish-American Police Captain Marcus ‘Mark’ McCluskey.

Irredeemably corrupt, McCluskey’s connections with the illicit organisation and its bosses end in tragedy. As an all-time classic, this is most certainly one to watch.

Spotlight

Source: The New Yorker

Spotlight traces the astonishing true story of a team of the investigative division of the Boston Globe as they work to uncover the major scandal of child abuse within the Catholic Church. The film follows the journalists as they begin to delve deeper and deeper into the case. Viewers are brought along for the ride as the team become increasingly aware of the systematic and institutional nature of the cover-up. Shockingly, this high level conspiracy is not only limited to the Church, but rather extends to the both the local police department and lawyers. The film is an important yet difficult watch, as Spotlight highlights an extremely common time of police cover-up.

The Departed

Source: Dr Odd

Like Spotlight, Martin Scorsese’s thrilling drama The Departed, is also set in Boston, USA. The film concerns Mob Boss Frank Costello, and his cunning plan to plant Colin Sullivan as a mole within the Massachusetts State Police. Simultaneously, the police assign undercover state trooper William Costigan to infiltrate Costello’s organised crime squad. The narrative focuses on the fall-out after both Sullivan and Costigan realise the situation, and their subsequent prolonged game of cat and mouse. Far from a traditional take on police corruption, the film provides a whole new insight into the everyday lives and risks facing officers.

Gone Baby Gone

Source: Empire Online

Gone Baby Gone is Ben Affleck’s 2007 American neo-noir mystery. The plot revolves around two private investigators, hunting for a little girl from (you guessed it) a neighbourhood in Boston. In this particular film the perceived police corruption the film centers on, is revealed only truly in the final moments. Rather than a clear case of wrongdoing, this film poses more of an ethical dilemma. You’ll have to watch to find out more!

Marauders is out on Blu-ray™, DVD and available to own digitally from 20th February, 2017.