Beyond the Law (1968)

Interesting facts

Beyond the Law is a 1968 independent film written by and starring Norman Mailer. Critic Bryo succinctly summarizes the plot: "Film shows a night at a Manhattan police station and then details how three of the detectives spend the remaining evening hours following completion of their shifts". The movie features early performances by future stars, Marsha Mason, Rip Torn and author George Plimpton. Norman Mailer also appears as a detective.

Production

Coproduced with Buzz Farbar and financed entirely by Norman Mailer, Beyond the Law was shot over four nights with three film crews and sound professionals. While Mailer is credited as writer and director, the film had next-to-no script and the actors were given little direction other than to "wing it" in-character and explore some ideas that echo his literary concerns, like the psychopathic hipster, the home-grown totalitarian, complex give-and-t…

In Peter Manso's biography of Mailer, actor Tom Quinn recounts meeting Mailer and other Irish actors at Pier 52 one night for a late dinner. Mailer states, "We're making a movie tonight. It's called Beyond the Law, and you're the cops.

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