On This Day

Fort Apache, the Bronx released

February 6th 1981

11:53 6 February 2024

'Fort Apache, the Bronx' opened in U.S. theaters on this day in 1981. Paul Newman stars as veteran New York police officer John Murphy, working out of the 41st Police Precinct in the South Bronx nicknamed "Fort Apache" by those who work there because they feel like troopers surrounded by hostiles in a Wild West isolated outpost.

Filmed on location in the Bronx, the movie caused controversy during filming and at the time of release with ethnic minority groups protesting at the way it depicted their neighbourhood. 'Fort Apache, the Bronx' received mixed reviews but was a success at the box office and inspired the long running police TV drama 'Hill Street Blues' (1981-1987).