description Cruising Overview
Cruising, directed by William Friedkin, centers on a New York Police Department detective investigating a series of murders targeting gay men within the city’s leather scene. The film is based on Gerald Walker's novel and utilizes the double meaning of "cruising" to explore themes of police investigation and male attraction. It was produced as an international collaboration between West Germany and the United States.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
info Cruising Specifications
| Country | West Germany |
| Year | 1980 |
help Cruising FAQ
Who does Al Pacino play in Cruising?
Al Pacino plays Steve Burns, a New York police officer sent undercover into the leather scene to investigate murders of gay men. Paul Sorvino plays Captain Edelson, the officer directing the investigation.
Is Cruising based on a real case or a novel?
The 1980 film is loosely based on Gerald Walker's 1970 novel Cruising and also drew on reporting and police material about murders in New York. It is not presented as a straightforward reenactment of one single case.
Who directed Cruising and when was it released?
William Friedkin wrote and directed Cruising, which was released in 1980 by United Artists. The cast also includes Karen Allen as Steve's girlfriend Nancy and Paul Sorvino as Captain Edelson.
Why was Cruising controversial when it was made?
The production and release drew protests from parts of New York's gay community over its depiction of gay men, leather culture, and violence. The film's use of the real leather-bar environment and its ambiguous view of Steve's identity remain central to discussions of the movie.
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