Sharky's Machine (1981) — Screenplay
A demoted cop stumbles onto a political conspiracy while working vice, falling for a woman he's never met as his team gathers evidence.
- Written by
- Gerald Di Pego, William Diehl
- Genre
- Drama, Action, Crime
- Length
- 141 pages
This screenplay offers a masterclass in ensemble character work, balancing a gritty crime procedural with a tender, unconventional love story. Study how Di Pego and Diehl structure parallel investigations—the team's evidence-gathering and Sharky's private obsession—to build suspense and emotional stakes. The jazz-infused tone also shows how atmosphere can deepen a thriller's mood without slowing its pace.
Read the full Sharky's Machine (1981) screenplay in PDF, page by page, right here on Laper — or download the original script to study Gerald Di Pego, William Diehl’s scene work, dialogue and structure at your own pace. A free resource for screenwriters and film students learning Hollywood script format.