Boston’s Finest: A Detective Film Collection

Description: This film dramatizes the real-life case of the Boston Strangler, with detectives piecing together clues to catch the serial killer terrorizing the city in the early 1960s.

Fact: The film stars Tony Curtis in a rare dramatic role and was one of the first films to explore the psychological profile of a serial killer.

Description: While not entirely set in Boston, the film involves a sophisticated art theft in the city, with an insurance investigator playing detective to unravel the mystery.

Fact: The original film was set in New York, but the Boston setting was chosen for the remake in 1999, starring Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo.

Description: This gritty crime drama follows an aging Boston gunrunner who becomes an informant to avoid prison, leading to a tense game of cat and mouse with both the police and the criminals.

Fact: The film is based on the novel by George V. Higgins, who was a former assistant US attorney in Boston. It's praised for its authentic portrayal of Boston's criminal underworld.

Description: Although not strictly a detective film, it features two Irish-American brothers in Boston who take justice into their own hands, with an FBI agent investigating their vigilante activities.

Fact: The film has a cult following and was shot in various locations around Boston, including the North End. It also features a memorable performance by Willem Dafoe.

Description: Directed by Clint Eastwood, this film explores the ripple effects of a childhood trauma in a Boston neighborhood, leading to a murder investigation that uncovers deep-seated secrets.

Fact: The film was shot in Boston, with many scenes filmed in the Dorchester neighborhood. It also features a haunting performance by Sean Penn, who won an Oscar for Best Actor.

Description: This Martin Scorsese masterpiece dives deep into the world of undercover cops and moles within the Boston police department, offering a thrilling cat-and-mouse game set against the backdrop of the city's Irish mob scene.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life story of Whitey Bulger, a notorious Boston crime boss. It also won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Description: Ben Affleck's directorial debut captures the essence of Boston's working-class neighborhoods as two private detectives search for a missing child, revealing layers of corruption and moral ambiguity.

Fact: The film is based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, who is known for his gritty Boston-set stories. It also features a cameo by Affleck's brother, Casey Affleck.

Description: Another Ben Affleck directorial effort, this film focuses on a group of bank robbers in Charlestown, Boston, and the detective determined to bring them down, blending heist elements with a detective story.

Fact: Affleck insisted on filming in Boston to capture the city's authentic atmosphere. The film was shot in real locations, including the famous bank robbery scene at the North End.

Description: While not exclusively set in Boston, this psychological thriller by Martin Scorsese involves a detective investigating a disappearance at a psychiatric facility off the coast of Massachusetts, with Boston playing a significant role in the narrative.

Fact: The film is based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, who also wrote "Gone Baby Gone." The eerie atmosphere was enhanced by filming on location at the former Medfield State Hospital.

Description: This film recounts the real-life 1950 Brink's robbery in Boston, focusing on the planning and execution by a group of small-time crooks, with a detective hot on their trail.

Fact: The film stars Peter Falk and was directed by William Friedkin, known for "The French Connection." It was shot in Boston, capturing the city's look from the 1950s.