The Crimebusters (1961)

A gripping crime drama about a reformed mob lawyer who turns federal agent to dismantle America's most powerful criminal syndicates.

The Crimebusters - Movie Information

  • Original Title: The Crimebusters
  • Release Year: 1961
  • Directed by: Boris Sagal
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Crime, Drama
  • Runtime: 1h 28m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 1961 (United States)
  • Production Companies: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
  • Production Countries: United States of America

The Crimebusters - Plot

Nicholas Cain (Peter Mark Richman), a former high-level mob lawyer who decides to leave the criminal underworld. Seeking redemption, he becomes a federal government agent with a singular mission: to bring down the nation's 100 most dangerous and influential organized crime figures. The film depicts the specialized government agents as they hunt these high-profile crooks, focusing on Cain's personal crusade to dismantle the very syndicates he once protected. Based on the "Cain's Hundred" TV series.

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The Crimebusters - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Boris Sagal

Main Cast

  • Peter Mark Richman
  • Martin Gabel
  • Gloria Talbott
  • Bruce Dern
  • Gavin MacLeod
  • Phillip Pine
  • Carol Eve Rossen
  • Ted de Corsia
  • Judson Pratt
  • Barry Russo

Writers

  • David Karp
  • Paul Monash

The Crimebusters - FAQs

What is The Crimebusters about?

The Crimebusters follows Nicholas Cain, a high-powered mob lawyer who walks away from the criminal underworld and reinvents himself as a federal agent. His mission: take down the 100 most dangerous organized crime figures in America — the very syndicates he once shielded from justice.

Is The Crimebusters based on a TV series?

Yes, The Crimebusters is adapted from the television series Cain's Hundred, which aired on NBC in 1961–1962. The film was edited together from episodes of the show, centering on Peter Mark Richman's character Nicholas Cain and his crusade against organized crime.

Who are the main actors in The Crimebusters?

Peter Mark Richman leads the cast as Nicholas Cain, joined by Martin Gabel, Gloria Talbott, and a young Bruce Dern. You'll also see Gavin MacLeod, Phillip Pine, Carol Eve Rossen, Ted de Corsia, Judson Pratt, and Barry Russo rounding out the ensemble.

Who directed The Crimebusters?

The Crimebusters was directed by Boris Sagal, a prolific television and film director known for his work across multiple genres during the 1960s and 1970s. Sagal brought a sharp, procedural energy to this crime drama rooted in the world of organized crime enforcement.

When was The Crimebusters released?

The Crimebusters was released on January 1, 1961, in the United States. It was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and drew directly from the Cain's Hundred television series, making it one of the earlier examples of TV-to-film compilation features in American cinema.

What genre is The Crimebusters?

The Crimebusters is a Crime Drama. It blends the procedural tension of law enforcement narratives with the moral complexity of a protagonist who once operated on the wrong side of the law, giving the film a compelling edge that sets it apart from straightforward crime pictures.

Who composed the music for The Crimebusters?

The score for The Crimebusters was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, one of Hollywood's most celebrated composers. Even early in his career, Goldsmith brought a distinctive intensity to crime and thriller projects, and his work here adds considerable atmosphere to the film's tense narrative.

What are some movies similar to The Crimebusters?

If The Crimebusters appeals to you, consider checking out The Damned Don't Cry (1950), Violent Saturday (1955), Lucky Luciano (1973), and State of Play (2009). These films share a similar interest in crime, moral ambiguity, and the complex machinery of organized criminal networks.

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