Werner’s Turn - a feature film based on a true story
Crime, suspense, thriller, action, drama
Directed by Jim Amatulli – DGA
Written by Jim Amatulli & Brien Master

Log Line-
An undercover Massachusetts State Policeman finds himself accused of internal crimes by law enforcement authorities, after his informant is murdered by the mob.

Synopsis-
Henry “Chip” Werner, a classic urban cop, joins the Massachusetts State Police in the 1970’s, and goes undercover focusing on bookmaking, loan sharking and organized crime. He is very good at his job. And he thrives on the gambling, the partying, and the risks. But the lifestyle leads to an alcohol problem that eventually destroys his family.

Chip’s informant, Brian Halloran, is in “Whitey” Bulger’s South Boston crime gang. Halloran is murdered, allegedly by Bulger, who is exposed as an informant to FBI agent John Connolly.

Continuing his undercover work, Chip files 42 indictments, but his life takes a terrible turn when he is arrested for the evidence theft – 2 lbs. of cocaine. Maintaining his innocence and , expecting the support of the DA, Chip is shocked when he is convicted of stealing 1 ounce of cocaine from the evidence room. He receives the toughest sentence, comparable to cases with significantly larger quantities of drugs. The focus on his case by authorities suggests that this was a set up, possibly influenced by Bulger.

Awaiting an appeal, Werner is so seriously injured in a car crash that his sentence is suspended, but his conviction stands. But then he loses his job, benefits and retirement. His drinking increases and he refuses help, living in a shack and doing odd jobs. Chip’s story could end a tragedy, but his children intervene and get him into rehab where he succeeds in recovering. Today, he works at the facility that probably saved his life.

Chip “accepts the blame for everything” that happened in his life, and asks for nothing. But there is reason to believe he was framed, and it points to the authorities he reported to, and ironically, “Whitey” Bulger, who was captured after 16 years on the run, may be his last hope.

It’s finally “Werner’s Turn”… for justice.