Sharky's Machine

Sharky's Machine (1981)

  • 93% of critics liked it
    (14 reviews)

  • 45% of users liked it
    (3,267 ratings)

A William Diehl novel was the source of the noirish nailbiter Sharky's Machine. Sharky (Burt Reynolds) is an undercover cop who fouls up an assignment and is kicked downstairs to the vice squad -- a rough-shod bunch of hellraisers who make life miserable. Soon, however, Sharky's life does a 180 when… More

R, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By
Burt Reynolds
Genres
Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure
In Theaters
Dec 18, 1981 Wide
On DVD
Oct 20, 1998

Critic Reviews

  • Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

    Would be laughable if not for its intensity of romanticism

  • Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

    A tough, gritty and occasionally sadistic police thriller with director/star Burt Reynolds in peak form.

  • Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review

    Burt at top of his game both in front of and behind the camera.

  • Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)

    Better-than-average cop film with one legendary stunt at the end.

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)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • AJ V


    This cop movie has a lot of action and excitement, and it's got good cinematography. I was surprised that Reynolds directed it himself. Did anyone else notice that they stole the love story from the movie Laura (1944)? That was the only thing that distracted me from the rest… More

  • Cassandra M


    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… More

  • Dean M


    This is good cop thriller of what Burt Reynolds ever made. It's exciting, suspenseful, funny, and intelligent, so good it joins <i>48 Hrs., Dirty Harry,</i> and <i>Tightrope</i> as the best of the genre.

  • Danny R


    Burt Reynolds stars and superbly directs this atmospheric, volatile cop thriller which is one of most engrossing and stylish of the early 80s, concerning a Atlanta cop named Sharky, played with a solid conviction by Burt Reynolds who is at his charismatic best here, his gung-ho… More

  • Barry L


    Nasty but a great film.

Cast

See full cast

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