Sharky's Machine
Seen it?1981 | 122 min | Crime, Drama, Action, Thriller
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (83% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 6.2 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans, anyone who likes to be kept guessing and action fans. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 2 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect violence.
Police officer Tom Sharky gets busted back to working vice, where he happens upon a scandalous conspiracy involving a local politician. Sharky's new 'machine' gathers evidence while Sharky falls in love with a woman he has never met.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.2 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$36 million worldwide on a $18 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 55K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Getaway Sunday Safe BetAnother heist crime drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera
Weeknight WatchAnother heist crime thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Absolution Weeknight WatchAnother mob crime thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Hoodlum Weeknight WatchAnother mob crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Dead Man Down Weeknight WatchAnother revenge crime thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Burt Reynolds
- Burt ReynoldsTom Sharky
- Rachel WardDomino
- Henry SilvaBilly Score
- Brian KeithPapa
- Vittorio GassmanVictor Scorelli
- Charles DurningLt. Friscoe
- Earl HollimanDonald Hotchkins
- Bernie CaseyArch
- Richard LibertiniNosh
- Darryl HickmanSmiley