Based on the novel Tainted Evidence by Robert Daley, the plot centers on a newly elected district attorney played by Andy García, who is eager to stamp out corruption within the New York City Police Department.

Ian Holm, James Gandolfini, Lena Olin, Ron Leibman, and Richard Dreyfuss feature in principal supporting roles.

Theatrically distributed by Paramount Pictures on May 16, 1997, Night Falls on Manhattan explores criminal law, political corruption, and the repercussions of violence.

NYPD detectives Liam Casey and Joey Allegretto are conducting surveillance against Jordan Washington, a notorious drug dealer.

Police backup units arrive and swarm the building, but Washington executes a cunning escape in a squad car after killing two cops.

Meanwhile, when Kleinhoff's decomposed body is discovered in the river, his address book reveals the names of several officers from precincts which responded to the Washington shooting.

The film ends with Casey giving the introductory lecture for a new class of ADAs, urging them to approach their job with diligence and integrity.

[1] According to Lumet, a secondary inspiration for the plot was the true story surrounding the criminal Larry Davis, who escaped arrest from the scene of a drug raid.

[1] The original motion picture soundtrack for Night Falls on Manhattan was not officially released to the public, but features songs composed by veteran musician Wynton Marsalis.

Special features for the DVD include; the original theatrical trailer, audio commentary with director Sidney Lumet, actors Andy García and Ron Leibman as well as with producers Josh Kramer and Thom Mount.

[11] Janet Maslin writing in The New York Times, said director Lumet did "a good job of articulating the disillusioning realities of careerism and crime.

She also casually noted that actor Garcia remained "a polite, neutral presence" through "too many moments, particularly during courtroom scenes that have been edited in awkwardly abrupt ways".

"[15] In a slightly negative tone, Barbara Shulgasser of the San Francisco Examiner thought Lumet's "seriousness and simplicity with which he approaches his subject in Night Falls on Manhattan are refreshing even if the vivacity of the thing never really has a chance to develop.

"[17] On an entirely negative front, Russell Smith of The Austin Chronicle remarked that "Lumet and Daley simply appear to have forgotten everything they once knew about lean, reality-based storytelling—a fact that no amount of bluster, superstar charisma, and stylistic virtuosity can conceal.