The Sweeney is a 2012 British police thriller film directed by Nick Love and produced by Allan Niblo, Rupert Preston, James Richardson, and Christopher Simon. The film is based on the 1970s TV show of the same name and stars Ray Winstone, Ben Drew, Hayley Atwell, Steven Mackintosh, and Damian Lewis.
The plot centers around Detective Inspector Jack Regan, the leader of the elite Flying Squad unit of London's Metropolitan Police, also known as "the Sweeney". Regan is a tough, uncompromising cop who plays by his own rules in his quest to take down the criminals of London. He is assisted by his loyal partner George Carter, a sharp-witted detective who always has his back.
When Regan's past comes back to haunt him in the form of a criminal from his past, he finds himself embroiled in a complex investigation involving a jewelry store heist that ends in a murder. As Regan and Carter dig deeper, they uncover a web of corruption and deceit that goes all the way to the top of the department.
Meanwhile, Regan is also dealing with personal issues, including an affair with his boss's wife and pressure from his superiors to fall in line with their more politically correct approach to policing.
The film features thrilling car chase scenes, shootouts, and explosive action set pieces, all set against the backdrop of London. The Sweeney has been praised for its gritty portrayal of the police and its high-octane thrills.