The Blue Knight is a 1973 television miniseries and theatrical film adapted from Joseph Wambaugh's 1973 novel The Blue Knight. It inspired the 1975 TV series also titled The Blue Knight. The miniseries was broadcast on NBC TV in November 1973, consisted of four one-hour episodes (including commercials), was directed by Robert Butler, and featured an all star cast headed by William Holden as Police Officer Bumper Morgan.

Bumper Morgan is a 20-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department who is scheduled to retire in a week. Before he leaves, he must work on the murder of a prostitute in one of LA's far corners. Along the way, he must grapple with vicious thugs, his fellow officers who have mixed feelings about his retirement, and his woman who wants him to leave the streets.