Beyond the Law (1992 film)

Beyond the Law (also known as Fixing the Shadow) is a 1993 TV film written and directed by Larry Ferguson. It tells the story of Dan Saxon, an undercover cop who infiltrates a group of criminal outlaw bikers behind a drug-smuggling and arms-dealing operation.[1] In order to maintain their trust, he must commit ever more dangerous and heinous crimes and must question how far he can go beyond the law. The film stars Charlie Sheen, Linda Fiorentino, and Michael Madsen.

Beyond the Law
GenreCrime
Drama
Thriller
Written byLarry Ferguson
Directed byLarry Ferguson
StarringCharlie Sheen
Linda Fiorentino
Michael Madsen
Courtney B. Vance
Leon Rippy
Music byJohn D'Andrea
Cory Lerios
Original language(s)English
Production
Executive producer(s)Richard N. Gladstein
Ronna B. Wallace
Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr. (co-executive producer)
Producer(s)John Fiedler
Mark Tarlov
Production location(s)El Mirage Dry Lake, California
Phoenix, Arizona
New River, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona
CinematographyRobert M. Stevens
Editor(s)Don Brochu
Robert C. Jones
Running time108 minutes
Production company(s)Capitol Films
Polar Entertainment Corporation
DistributorHBO
Budget$18,000,000 (estimated)
Release
Original networkHBO
Picture formatColor
Audio formatDolby
Original releaseApril 22, 1993

Plot

Based on a true story,[2] the film centers on Dan Saxon, a cop with a troubled childhood. He is enlisted by Conroy Price, an agent in Arizona's State Attorney General's office, to go undercover to bust the illegal drugs and arms trafficking. Saxon is unsuccessful until he meets and befriends Virgil, a mechanic who introduces him to the seedy world of criminal bikers.

Virgil tutors Saxon on bikes and customs of the "outlaw motorcycle brotherhood." After many lessons and a major change in appearance Saxon develops an alter ego named Sid and ends up infiltrating the Jackals and earning the trust of Blood, their president. At the same time, he begins a relationship with a photojournalist, Renee Jason, who is aware of his dual life.

As Saxon falls deeper into this world of crime, he becomes more unbalanced. After a violent situation that led to the murder of a 20-year-old convenience store attendant, Saxon is brought back to earth. Saxon's Identity is revealed, by Price, to the local, state, and federal law enforcement, much to their praise for Saxon's undercover skills. Concluding the undercover operation, over 200 arrests are made including Blood. The end of the film shows Saxon walking into the desert. It is revealed in the narrated epilogue that Saxon and Renee are living in California, and Blood is serving 3 consecutive life sentences.

Cast

Background

Larry Ferguson wrote the screenplay after reading the article "Undercover Angel" by Lawrence Linderman in the July, 1981 issue of Playboy on an undercover agent named Dan Black.[2] Black served as a technical advisor on the film and appeared as an extra in the movie.[2]

References
  1. Smoron, Paige (July 11, 1997), "Camera Obscura", Chicago Sun-Times
  2. Larry Ferguson (Writer-Director) (1992). Beyond the Law (DVD (Insert & Special Features)). Artisan.
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