Freebie and the Bean

1974
R
1h 53m

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

3.7K

YOUR RATING

Alan Arkin and James Caan in Freebie and the Bean (1974)

San Francisco police detectives Freebie and Bean are determined to bust local crime boss Red Meyers at any cost, even if this means destroying the whole city in the process.

Play trailer3:11

1 Video

57 Photos

Buddy Comedy Buddy Cop Dark Comedy Satire Action Comedy Crime Drama

San Francisco police detectives Freebie and Bean are determined to bust local crime boss Red Meyers at any cost, even if this means destroying the whole city in the process.San Francisco police detectives Freebie and Bean are determined to bust local crime boss Red Meyers at any cost, even if this means destroying the whole city in the process.San Francisco police detectives Freebie and Bean are determined to bust local crime boss Red Meyers at any cost, even if this means destroying the whole city in the process.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

3.7K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 2 nominations

Videos1

Trailer 3:11

Trailer

Photos57

+ 51

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The film became an action-comedy after Alan Arkin and James Caan met for improvisational sessions in which they explored a more comedic approach to the characters' relationship.

Goofs
During the first car chase (with the white van), Bean straps on a police helmet for his safety. In the very next shot of the car, Bean isn't wearing the helmet.

Quotes
Freebie: Hi, Fred. We got a little accident. Could you send a tow truck, please, to 618 Elm Street? Hold it. It's the, uh, third floor, apartment 304.

Crazy credits
During opening credits, as people walk in front of the camera their names appear.

Alternate versions
UK cinema and video versions were cut by 29 seconds by the BBFC to remove a face kick and to reduce the number of shots fired into the transvestite from 5 to 2. The version shown on Film Four is uncut and intact.

Connections
Featured in Don Adams' Screen Test: Tarzan/Public Enemy/Hurricane/Casablanca (Pilot) (1975)

Soundtracks
Title Theme: You and Me
Vocals by Bobby Hart
Music and lyrics by Dominic Frontiere, Bobby Hart, Danny Janssen

User reviews67

Review

Featured review

Classic 70's actioner!

A mainstay on cable in the 70's, Freebie and the Bean is by no means "great" but it certainly is thoroughly entertaining to anyone who doesn't let political correctness stand in their way.

This is no doubt a film that can offend; the two cops (especially Caan) use muscle whenever they can; a crossdresser is treated horribly and insulted; there's some racial humor. But hey, this was made in 1974 when people simply weren't as uptight as they are now.

It's a goofy movie, it has goofy music, goofy comedy and a goofy script. The goofiness, violence and non-political correctness of this flick make for an odd mix, but it's an entertaining mix. Cann and Arkin are great in their roles, and show geniune affection and friendship for each other as they try to keep a criminal alive to break a case.

Car chase fans especially like this movie, and there are some classic chases here! The highlight chase shows the duo chasing after a blue car with some truly amazing stuntwork.

All in all if you aren't the easily offended type, and like some goofy comedy mixed with action, it's worth a spin, if only to see how movies were made when not under a watchdog's microscope.