Superb ensemble acting in a gripping adaptation
“Detective Story” addresses a taboo topic head-on in a gritty portrait of a tough-as-nails, brutal New York City cop unwavering in his hatred of lawbreakers. Adapted from the stage play by Sidney Kingsley, the movie introduces a collection of characters who work in or pass through a Manhattan police station.<br /><br />Detective Jim McLeod (Kirk Douglas) enjoys putting away bad guys. His contempt for law breakers was entrenched in childhood, when his criminal father beat his mother and drove her insane. McLeod has a particular abhorrence for alleged abortionist Karl Schneider (George Macready), being charged again after a previous arrest, and assault, by McLeod. Only with his wife, Mary (Eleanor Parker), does McLeod show his gentle side, as they talk of their future and raising a family.<br /><br />Schneider’s lawyer, Endicott Sims (Warner Anderson), is about to have Schneider surrender himself but wants assurances that McLeod will not rough him up. Sims indicates that he has damaging information he will make public if McLeod gets out of line. The boss, Lt. Monaghan (Horace McMahon), respects McLeod’s detective work but does not hesitate to warn him about the consequences of his hot temper.<br /><br />As the main plot unfolds, several subplots are introduced. A hapless young woman (Lee Grant, in her screen debut) is booked for shoplifting. A hopeless young man, Arthur Kindred (Craig Hill), is brought in for embezzling and later must face both his employer (James Mahoney), to explain why he took the money, and his childhood friend Susan Carmichael (Cathy O’Donnell), who comes to the station offering to make good the amount stolen. Two well known burglars, Charley Gennini (Joseph Wiseman) and Lewis Abbott (Michael Strong), are dragged in and turned over to McLeod and his partner, Lou Brody (William Bendix), for interrogation.<br /><br />There’s a constant bustle in the primary set with detectives at their desks typing reports, uniformed cops entering and leaving, suspects being questioned and fingerprinted. The camera moves constantly to capture all the activity, much of it unfolding simultaneously. In one scene, three characters are on three phones carrying on three different conversations and the timing is so perfect that we hear key snatches of each one.<br /><br />Director William Wyler (“Ben-Hur”) opens the film up only slightly to show the street outside the station house (actually an outdoor set on the Paramount lot). There are many different acting styles in the film, ranging from Parker’s quiet, emotional delivery to Wiseman’s way over the top ranting. Rather than seem inconsistent, they point up the diversity of characters that find themselves in a police station. Grant’s shoplifter is a naive observer on hand for nearly the entire film, watching, asking questions, reacting to what she witnesses. The detectives and cops go about their business, taking whatever comes along in stride. Anderson projects Sims’ arrogance and intimidating tone, totally brushed aside by McLeod. McMahon is completely convincing as the hard-boiled commanding officer of a Manhattan police precinct. Wiseman’s burglar comes across as nuts. He rants, writhes, and bellows about his innocence though the stolen goods are on him and he has been imprisoned for burglary many times before. His outburst are so intense, they’re funny.<br /><br />Douglas plays McLeod as a rigid person who sees only black or white. He has no empathy for factors that may have prompted the actions that have brought some of the suspects to the precinct. Psychologically damaged by a terrible childhood, he takes out those years on the suspects who come his way. His hatred for criminals is deeply rooted and he’s merciless as he goes by the letter of the law. Douglas’ trademark clenched-teeth delivery is on view throughout, and most intense in a later scene when his character becomes completely unhinged on learning information that batters his iron-clad beliefs and challenges his affection for Mary. Parker’s Mary allows us to see McLeod in a more favorable light, warm, tender, and loving. Initially the stereotype of the devoted, pretty wife, Parker later embodies Mary’s distress, confusion, agony, hopefulness, and ultimate resolve.<br /><br />Bonus materials on the unrated Region A Blu-ray release from Kino-Lorber and Paramount Pictures include an audio commentary and 10 theatrical trailers.<br /><br />“Detective Story” features a powerhouse performance by Kirk Douglas and a first-rate supporting cast. Director William Wyler gives every actor a showcase scene, and avoids a claustrophobic feel by deft camera work and constant movement. Though the word “abortion” is never mentioned, the procedure is a key, dramatic plot point.
The movie title "Detective Story," available on Movies & TV, has received an average rating of 4.6 from 248 reviewers. 
It features elements such as [], and it is priced at $17.42.

This title falls under the categories of Movies & TV, Blu-ray and Movies. 
The additional details include the following in key-value format :
 {"Genre": "Film Noir", "Format": "Subtitled", "Contributor": "William Bendix, Frank Faylen, Eleanor Parker, Gladys George, Cathy O'Donnell, Horace McMahon, Bert Freed, Joseph Wiseman, Kirk Douglas, Gerald Mohr, William Wyler, George Macready, Lee GrantWilliam Bendix, Frank Faylen, Eleanor Parker, Gladys George, Cathy O'Donnell, Horace McMahon, Bert Freed, Joseph Wiseman, Kirk Douglas, Gerald Mohr, William Wyler, George Macready, Lee Grant   See more", "Language": "English (Stereo 2.0)", "Runtime": "1 hour and 43 minutes", "Aspect Ratio": "1.37:1", "MPAA rating": "NR (Not Rated)", "Product Dimensions": "7 x 5 x 1 inches; 2.19 Ounces", "Director": "William Wyler", "Media Format": "Subtitled", "Run time": "1 hour and 43 minutes", "Release date": "November 29, 2022", "Actors": "Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, William Bendix, Cathy O'Donnell, Lee Grant", "Studio": "KL Studio Classics", "Country of Origin": "USA", "Number of discs": "1"}

Here is a brief synopsis of the title : Based on the smash Broadway hit, the gritty and gripping drama of Detective Story explodes onto the big screen under the capable direction of William Wyler (The Good Fairy, Ben-Hur). Set amidst the hectic activity of a New York City police station, Kirk Douglas (Paths of Glory) stars as the principled, rigid detective whose personal code has become twisted from dealing with too many criminals. Eleanor Parker (Caged) is his wife, tormented by a guilty secret. While the business of the precinct swirls around them—from a case involving a frightened shoplifter (Lee Grant, The Landlord) to an amusing burglar (Joseph Wiseman, Dr. No)—the couple’s personal conflict reaches an explosive, unforgettable climax. Academy Award nominations went to Wyler (for Best Director), Parker (Best Actress), Grant (Best Supporting Actress) and the writing team of Robert Wyler (The Big Country) and Philip Yordan (The Big Combo) for their vivid screenplay. Co-stars William Bendix (Lifeboat), Cathy O’Donnell (They Live by Night) and George Macready (Gilda) also give sterling performances in this classic cop noir..