‘Chinatown’ At 50: Tragedy In A World Of Unchecked Corruption

The classic noir premiered on June 20, 1974, and it is regarded as one of the greatest American films of all time.

When the memorable line, “Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown,” is uttered during the movie’s chaotic finale, Chinatown is practically a synonym for corruption. It is a metaphor for how people with an abundance of money and power commit evil deeds and never face any consequences.

Yet for Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson), the main character of the film, Chinatown carries a much more personal meaning. Jake was involved in law enforcement in Los Angeles’s Chinatown before he became a private investigator. He fled Chinatown after growing disillusioned with a district attorney, who encouraged inaction when dealing with certain criminals.

Despite leaving Chinatown, the penultimate scene signals that Jake may never break free. Chinatown will follow him wherever he works as a detective.

“Chinatown” premiered fifty years ago on June 20, 1974, and it is widely regarded as one of the best American films of all time.

Read the full retrospective at The Wide Shot.