Joseph Wambaugh

Rowdy L.A. police officers cause as much havoc on their beats as they try to prevent. Based on Joseph Wambaugh's novel.

Burned-out from the crushing stress of patrolling the rough streets of Los Angeles, a group of LAPD cops blows off steam at nightly "choir practices" -- parties fueled by practical jokes, booze and debauchery. But when a joke goes too far and an innocent man gets caught in the crossfire, the cops close ranks and try to cover up the incident. Charles Durning, James Woods, Randy Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. star in this dark comedy.

Rowdy L.A. police officers cause as much havoc on their beats as they try to prevent. Based on Joseph Wambaugh's novel.

Rowdy L.A. police officers cause as much havoc on their beats as they try to prevent. Based on Joseph Wambaugh's novel.

The raunchy, hilarious exploits of ten metropolitan policemen explode on the screen in this fast-moving black comedy, based on Joseph Wambaugh's best-selling novel. James Woods, Charles Durning, Louis Gossett Jr., Perry King, Randy Quaid and Burt Young lead a group of rank-and-file policemen from the Los Angeles Police Department, who look for ways to cope with the pressures of the job. Dubbed "choirboys" for their after hours revels, they meet for "choir practice", periodic relaxation sessions at which the group gets drunk, chases women, plays practical jokes and reveals their innermost fears. Directed by Robert Aldrich, this outrageous comedy gives an eye-opening glimpse into the lives of the boys in blue, who follow a simple gospel: work hard, play harder.

Based on Joseph Wambaugh's devastating novel, Choirboys is the story of rowdy LA police officers addicted to adrenaline. When they're not on the job, they find increasingly dangerous ways to get their fix. A brutal cop film, released two decades before NPYD Blue and The Shield, which pulls no punches. A dazzling study of power, corruption, and the dark legacy of violence. A must-see.