The Star Chamber

Year:

1983

Duration:

109 min

Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

IMDB rate:

6.3

Director:

Peter Hyams

Details

Country: USA

Release Date: 1983-08-05

Filming Locations: Long Beach, Los Angeles, California, USA

Earnings

Opening Weekend: $1,980,105 (USA) (7 August 1983)

Gross: $5,555,305 (USA) (28 August 1983)

Cast

Actor

Character

Sharon Gless

Michael Douglas

Superior Court Judge Steven R. Hardin

Hal Holbrook

Judge Benjamin Caulfield

Yaphet Kotto

Det. Harry Lowes

James Sikking

Dr. Harold Lewin (as James B. Sikking)

Joe Regalbuto

Arthur Cooms

Don Calfa

Lawrence Monk

John DiSanti

Det. James Wickman

Otis Day

Stanley Flowers (as DeWayne Jessie)

Jack Kehoe

Hingle

Larry Hankin

Det. Kenneth Wiggan

Dick Anthony Williams

Det. Paul Mackey

Margie Impert

Louise Pacinni

Dana Gladstone

Dept. Dist. Atty. Martin Hyatt

David Proval

Officer Nelson

Robin Gammell

Judge Archer

Matthew Faison

Judge Stoner

Fred McCarren

Robert Karras

Michael Ensign

Judge Kirkland

Jason Bernard

Judge Bocho

Jerry Taft

Judge Fogelson

Michael Austin

Judge Lang (as Mike Austin)

Sheldon Feldner

Superior Court Judge James Culhane

James Margolin

Albert R. Beamer

Hexin E. McPhee

Marvin Dewson

Diana Douglas

Adrian Caulfield

Keith Buckley

Assassin

Domingo Ambriz

Hector Andujar

Frances Bergen

Mrs. Cummins

Charlie Stavola

Det. Sarkin

Robert Costanzo

Sgt. Spota

Paul Brennan

Gareth

Kate Zentall

Janet

George A. Cooper

State Sen. Walden (as George Cooper)

Gary Rebstock

Eyewitness News newscaster

David Faustino

Tony Hardin

Jason Tomarken

Max Hardin

George Dickerson

George Tillis

Eddy C. Dyer

Garbage man

John C. Garrett

Chuck Hurley (as John Garrett)

Danna Hyams

Caroline Stout

Alan Oliney

Ladd

Don Pulford

Bailiff

Ron Cummins

Man #1

Jack Slate

Man #2

George Lane Cooper

State Senator Walden (uncredited)

Charles Hallahan

Officer Pickett (uncredited)

Phil Niekro

Baseball Game Pitcher (uncredited)

Did you know?

Trivia

The picture's closing credits declare that the film was dedicated "For George-Ann". George-Ann is the first name of George-Ann Spota who is the wife of the movie's director Peter Hyams. The film references her last name with the naming of a character called Sergeant Spota (Robert Costanzo) something which is a trademark of director Hyams.

Share this

The number of magistrates, judges and justices that sat on "The Star Chamber" was nine, the same number as the American Supreme Court.

Share this

Second of three movies where actor Hal Holbrook leads a group of outlaw law professionals with all three pictures being made and released exactly a decade apart. In 1973's Magnum Force (1973), Holbrook lead a group of rebel cops; in 1983's The Star Chamber (1983), Holbrook heads a court of vigilante judges; whilst similarly in another legal drama-thriller, Holbrook would later lead a team of renegade lawyers in 1993's The Firm (1993).

Share this

Goofs

Obvious stunt double when Judge Hardin is tumbling down the chute in Monk & Coombs' warehouse.

Share this

At the Atlanta Braves game Michael Douglas is sitting next to Hal Holbrook to Holbrook's left. In two wide angle shots of the seats Michael Douglas does not appear. Just Holbrook's wife and Douglas' wife.

Share this

During the chase scene between the Pontiac Firebird and the cops in the parking garage, several times skid marks can be seen along the path the cars follow. These marks follow through very narrow gaps between parked cars and concrete posts, areas in which cars would not normally travel.

Share this

Quotes

Dr. Harold Lewin: Goddamit, NO!

Share this

Judge Benjamin Caulfield: Throw the stupid ball!

Share this

Judge Benjamin Caulfield: Someone has taken justice and hidden it in the law.

Share this

Faq

Q

Is "the Star Chamber" inspired by an older French movie?

A

I remember in childhood seeing on TV a black and white French movie with a panel of judges taking justice in their own hands, disgusted as they were that criminals got off unpunished. I remember Charles Vanel and Pierre Brasseur, among others, in this movie. I can find no reference on IMDB or the web to this movie. Can someone help?

Share this