Lumet has a second look at the drug scene

Press, 28 October 1982, Page 14

Lumet has a second look at the drug scene

Sidney Lumet, during the past decades, has made some memorable films, including works from the Academy Award-winning “The Pawnbroker” (with Rod Steiger) to “Serpico” (with Al Paccino). This time, he has gone back to the drug scene in New York with an almost unknown actor, Treat Williams.

Lumet best explains the principle of “Prince of the City” himself: “It is the story of Bob Leuci we are telling. It is the story of a man who made a decision. “The results of that decision ... on Leuci’s own life and on the lives of everyone his life touched . . . were enormously complex, which is why this film runs well over two hours. “Leuci fell into a classical trap. He knowingly tangled with powerful forces believ-

ing that he could manipulate and control them. The results were catastrophic. “From a body of 70 men Leuci considered to be his friends and compatriots. 52 were indicted, two committed suicide, one went mad. “These are the facts. No attempt has been made in this film to provide a pat pyschological motive for Bob Leuci’s actions. To me, he is a hero. To many others he is not. The viewer’s own perceptions and values will have to suffice,” Lumet said. “Prince of the City” was filmed entirely on locations in all five New York boroughs. From a luxury suite at the Plaza Hotel to a decaying tenement in the South Bronx, there were 100 locations. There were also 126 speaking parts and 280 Individual scenes.

The logistics of this film

are unprecedented in the history of New York moviemaking.

The schedules often called for three different locations in one shooting day — locations which had to be shot in, whatever weather the elements provided.

So. Lumet chose his crew as carefully as if he were going into battle. A great majority of the people he picked were ones with whom he had previously worked, some of whom he had actually trained.

Burtt Harris and Alan Hopkins have each worked with Lumet in varying capacities in 10 features. On, “Prince,” Harris acted as' producer, and Hopkins as first assistant director.

On the other hand, many of the actors in “Prince”. have never been seen on the screen; a number of them performing for the first time.