Top 10 Crime Films About Honest Cops

Description: Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle's relentless pursuit of a French heroin smuggler in New York City is a study in dedication and the moral complexities of law enforcement.

Fact: The famous car chase scene was filmed without permits, adding to its raw, gritty feel. Gene Hackman won an Oscar for his role as Doyle.

Description: Based on the true story of Frank Serpico, a New York City cop who exposed corruption within the police department, this film is a testament to one man's fight for justice against all odds.

Fact: Al Pacino's performance as Serpico was critically acclaimed, earning him an Oscar nomination. The real Frank Serpico was shot in the face during a drug bust, an event depicted in the film.

Description: Eliot Ness forms a team of incorruptible lawmen to take down Al Capone during the Prohibition era. This film is a tribute to the unwavering commitment of honest cops.

Fact: The iconic scene on the train station steps was inspired by the Odessa Steps sequence in "Battleship Potemkin." Sean Connery won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Description: Set in 1950s Los Angeles, this film follows three very different cops as they navigate a web of corruption, murder, and Hollywood scandal, with one of them, Ed Exley, standing out for his integrity.

Fact: The film was adapted from James Ellroy's novel of the same name. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning two.

Description: A young assistant DA, Sean Casey, must confront corruption within the police department when his father, a veteran cop, is involved in a controversial shooting.

Fact: The film was directed by Sidney Lumet, known for his work on "Serpico" and "The Verdict." It's based on the novel "Tainted Evidence" by Robert Daley.

Description: A rookie cop, Jake Hoyt, is paired with a seasoned detective, Alonzo Harris, for a day of training. What unfolds is a day of moral dilemmas and corruption, with Hoyt's integrity put to the ultimate test.

Fact: Denzel Washington won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Alonzo Harris. The film was shot entirely on location in Los Angeles.

Description: Though not a traditional cop film, it features a tobacco industry whistleblower and a 60 Minutes producer who fight corporate corruption, embodying the spirit of an honest cop in their own right.

Fact: The film was based on a true story and received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.

Description: When a murder investigation leads to the past, Detective Sean Devine's integrity is tested as he uncovers dark secrets in his childhood neighborhood.

Fact: Clint Eastwood directed this film, which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Director. The film was shot in Boston, where the story is set.

Description: A gripping tale of an undercover cop infiltrating the Irish mob, while a mole within the police force tries to uncover him. It's a classic story of good versus evil, with the honest cop at the heart of the narrative.

Fact: Martin Scorsese won his first Best Director Oscar for this film. The film is a remake of the Hong Kong thriller "Infernal Affairs."

Description: When his daughter is murdered, a Boston cop, Thomas Craven, uncovers a conspiracy involving corruption, nuclear power, and government cover-ups. His quest for truth showcases the resilience of an honest cop.

Fact: This film is a remake of a 1985 British TV series of the same name. Mel Gibson, who plays Craven, also served as a producer.