It's true, it's awful, and it happened about a mile up Gower Street from the home of DVD Savant, at a corner I pass at least 6 times a week, Gower and Carlos. With a gun at his partner's back, Karl Hettinger gave up his own firearm, and spent the rest of his life punishing himself for what happened afterwards. The Onion Field is a double tragedy - the cops and their families suffer, and by representing himself and using loopholes in the law, the killer prolonged his trial for years, using it to mock his victims and the system.

The Onion Field is a great character study. Separately, Gregory Powell and Jimmy Smith were troublemakers, but their chemistry together, as with the killers of In Cold Blood, was like spontaneous combustion. The manipulative and paternal Powell had to demonstrate how tough he was to the submissive Smith ... Powell was an intelligent monster, a sociopath just smart enough to think he could prevail over the law. His point-blank killing was actually a big mistake - he knew about the Lindbergh Law but misinterpreted it, thinking he had nothing to lose by killing a man he'd moved by force.

Director Harold Becker plays Wambaugh's script straight, thereby bringing out its painful injustices in greater relief. We see the humiliation, excoriation, and breakdown of Karl Hettinger, branded a coward by his own police peers, and left to twist in the wind, condemned by his own emotional defenselessness. Meanwhile, the evil Gregory Powell revels in his new powers as an Accused with Rights. It's a harrowing experience, and not the most fun one can have watching a movie, but The Onion Field is one of those pictures unforgettable pictures that molds attitudes and changes opinions.

The cast take up this dramatic set of characters with enthusiasm. It was James Woods' breakout picture after a host of bit parts and television roles, and he makes Gregory Powell one of the more chilling villains of all time. Franklyn Seales is submissive and weak, and Ted Danson suitably innocent. The toughest part is Karl, however, and John Savage does great work showing a fine man broken apart piece by piece.

Perhaps the best compliment to The Onion Field is the fact that everyone concerned with the real criminal case, watching this movie version, would probably be pleased with its tone and attention to the facts - criminals and victims alike.

The Onion Field almost looks too good on DVD - the sharp, detailed anamorphic image is a big improvement over the cable television version most of us saw originally. MGM's Greg Carson has put together a docu extra that interviews the director, writer, producer, and three of the stars, 23 years later. All have thoughts to share about the show, which is still a top title in their filmographies. The docu is full of spoilers, so shouldn't be seen first, but includes background information about the real crime that is very welcome. A trailer rounds out the package.

On a scale of Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor, The Onion Field rates:
Movie: Excellent
Video: Excellent
Sound: Excellent
Supplements: Docu, Trailer
Packaging: Keep case
Reviewed: September 13, 2002