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Movies / On DVD / The Star Chamber
The Star Chamber

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The Star Chamber (1983)

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71 %
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Reviews Counted:14

Fresh:10

Rotten:4

Average Rating:6/10

Runtime: 1 hr 49 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Hardin is a hard-working, honest judge becoming frustrated with a legal system, that continuously forces him to release criminals on technicalities. He reaches his breaking point when he must set... Hardin is a hard-working, honest judge becoming frustrated with a legal system, that continuously forces him to release criminals on technicalities. He reaches his breaking point when he must set free two members of a child-pornography ring accused of murdering a boy. Feeling defeated, Hardin turns to his mentor Judge Caulfield, who ushers him into a secret society of magistrates called the Star Chamber. These judges act as deadly vigilantes, exacting revenge on heinous lawbreakers freed on technicalities. But when the Star Chamber sets its sights on the child-porno duo, Hardin finds himself protecting the killers, who may not be guilty after all. [More]

Starring: Michael Douglas, Hal Holbrook, Sharon Gless, Yaphet Kotto

Starring: Michael Douglas, Hal Holbrook, Sharon Gless, Yaphet Kotto, James B. Sikking, Joe Regalbuto, Don Calfa, John DiSanti, Jack Kehoe, Larry Hankin, Dick Anthony Williams, Dana Gladstone, David Proval, Robin Gammell, Matthew Faison, Michael Ensign, Jason Bernard, Frances Bergen

Director: Peter Hyams

Director: Peter Hyams
Screenwriter: Roderick Taylor, Peter Hyams

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The Star Chamber

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1 - 18 (sorted by source; UK critics are listed first)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
05/24/03
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
02/07/05
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

A couple of great chases, but it doesn't quite live up to its intriguing premise.

comment Comment
03/09/06
Rob Thomas
Rob Thomas
Capital Times (Madison, WI)

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
10/23/04
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Conspiracy abounds in this early Michael Douglas far fetcher.

comment Comment
02/20/07
Steve Crum
Steve Crum
Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers

While the movie is set in L.A., the rules of justice appear exaggerated to the point where the film seems to be taking place in a different country, but it doesn't really matter. It would be great fun just to put up your feet and watch director Peter Hyam

comment Comment
10/14/04
Douglas Pratt
Douglas Pratt
DVDLaser

No review available.

comment Comment
07/26/02
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
eFilmCritic.com

Outstanding performances across the board.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
04/09/07
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

No review available.

comment Comment
08/26/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

The Star Chamber is an intense, thought-provoking, great-looking action-packed thriller. Sadly overlooked in theaters, this is truly an '80s buried treasure.

comment Comment
10/10/05
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
Fantastica Daily

No review available.

comment Comment
03/01/08
David Kaplan
David Kaplan
Kaplan vs. Kaplan

A tour-de-force thriller from Hyams and Douglas... its final moments are as gripping as Superglue!

comment Comment
07/23/08
Clint Morris
Clint Morris
Moviehole
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
08/30/04
Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

directed with pace and style by Peter Hyams and beautifully photographed by Richard Hannah

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
02/27/01
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

No review available.

comment Comment
11/19/04
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

No review available.

comment Comment
02/04/03
Shannon J. Harvey
Shannon J. Harvey
Sunday Times (Australia)
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
03/26/09
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 18 (sorted by source; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for The Star Chamber

September 22, 2005: Fox Plans Another Visit from "The Star Chamber"
The Hollywood Reporter indicates that 20th Century Fox is moving ahead with a remake of the 1983 Michael Douglas thriller "The Star Chamber." More...

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