Sharky's Machine poster & wallpaper

Bernie Casey, Brian Keith, Burt Reynolds

Burt Reynolds was getting restless with the good ol' boy screen image he cultivated in Smokey & the Bandit and numerous car-chase flicks of the mid-to-late 1970s, and this brutal 1981 thriller ...( read more  read more... )presented the actor with an interesting change of pace. Reynolds directed the film as well, and there was a lot at stake for him both personally and professionally, so Sharky's Machine--based on a gutsy novel by William Diehl--has an urgent, no-nonsense quality that lifts it above most comparably sleazy thrillers. The plot may be sordid, but Reynolds's handling of it is not. This adds another element of freshness to the story of a demoted Atlanta vice cop (Reynolds) who pursues a personal vendetta against a crime boss (Vittorio Gassman) after falling in love with a stunning beauty (Rachel Ward) from the mobster's stable of high-priced prostitutes. The climactic shootout is violent and bloody in keeping with movies of the period (when jarring brutality was beginning to be commonplace in Hollywood films), but Reynolds doesn't go overboard. Sharky's Machine doesn't pretend to be anything more (or less) than a tough-as-nails crime movie, and it's one of Reynolds's most unusual and intelligent films. --Jeff Shannon

Flixster Users

45% liked it

2,723 ratings

R, 122 min.

Directed by: Burt Reynolds

Release Date: December 18, 1981

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: October 20, 1998

Stats: 91 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites
report incorrect info

Photos

Sharky's Machine Sharky's Machine Sharky's Machine
Upload a Photo |

View All Sharky's Machine Photos (3)

Your Rating


clear rating
Share on: Facebook Twitter

Flixster Reviews (91)

  • stopitgoaway
    September 20, 2009
    stopitgoaway
    Burt Reynold's Direct's and star's in this great Cop film, Reynold's play's the Sharkey of the title, who is a tough cop whilst working in undercover a drug bust goes wrong, and is demoted to vice,

    The machine of the title refer's to the motley crew Reynold's's assemble's to bri...( read more)ng down a crooked governor who is involved in high class prostitution Cocaine and contract murder,

    The motley crew is played by Brian Keith, Blackploitaion favorite Bernie Casey, Richard Libertini,(as alway's quirky as an ace sounds-man) Charle's Durning, as the chief, The beautiful English rose Rachael Ward play's Dominoe a $1000 dollar's a night hooker whom Reynold's's protect's and eventually fall's for, When staking out an apartment used by the governor.

    Italian actor Vittorio Gassman, play's the High stake's pimp, who has a deadly gang of triad's at his disposal, And Henry DeSilva, play's His psychotic brother hit man who is highly strung On prescription painkiller's and angel Dust,

    The action packed finale see's the remaining member's of the 'Machine' Engaged in a deadly shootout with Desilva, which culminate's in one the Most spectacular stunt's ever put to Celluloid,

    Alas Hollywood has ran out of idea's and is contemplating a remake of Sharky's Machine! Why bother a 25th Anniversary Special Edition DVD would be ideal, not a silly ass remake,
  • DrLappos
    May 21, 2008
    DrLappos
    Nasty but a great film.
  • deano
    July 23, 2009
    deano
    This is good cop thriller of what Burt Reynolds ever made. It's exciting, suspenseful, funny, and intelligent, so good it joins 48 Hrs., Dirty Harry, and Tightrope as the best of the genre.
  • jackass001
    April 22, 2009
    jackass001
    burt reynolds is one of my favorite actor & i know he starting director. it seen probably a serious film. i cant wait to see that one.
  • bigjonthunder
    October 7, 2008
    bigjonthunder
    Favorite zen moment..."I gave him nothin'...He's a ghost".
  • FlyingSolo2009
    August 14, 2008
    FlyingSolo2009
    Burt Reynolds - Enough said!
  • sxcjaydo
    July 10, 2008
    sxcjaydo
    this is a really good movie!
  • littledrummerboy30
    February 15, 2008
    littledrummerboy30
    one of the greatest movies ever!
  • planbelafrompa
    January 31, 2008
    planbelafrompa
    REMEMBER BEING 4 YEARS OLD WATCH THIS ONE WITH MY OLD MAN BEFORE BED TIME. GREAT MOVIE. GREAT MEMORIES. I NEED THUNDERBIRD!!!!!!!

View All Sharky's Machine Reviews

Critic Reviews

No recent reviews.

Comments

This board looks lonely. Be the first to talk about "Sharky's Machine" !

Post A Comment | View All Comments

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

All Rotten Tomatoes content is used under license from Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes, Certified Fresh, and the Tomatometer are the trademarks of Incfusion Corporation, d/b/a Rotten Tomatoes, a subsidiary of IGN Entertainment, Inc.

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Major League 3: Back to the Minors
    Major League 3: Back to the Minors (50%)
  • Boogie Nights
    Boogie Nights (40%)

More Movies like Sharky's Machine

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Sharky's Machine : Watch Free on TV

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Sharky's Machine. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Sharky's Machine to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?