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To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
1 November 1985 (USA)
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Tagline:
The director of "The French Connection" is on the streets again! more
Plot:
A fearless Secret Service agent will stop at nothing to bring down the counterfeiter who killed his partner. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
3 wins
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NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
'Star Trek' Boldly Goes, Brüno Gets Sensational And More In The DVD Report For November 17
(From MTV Movies Blog. 17 November 2009, 3:46 PM, PST)
Locarno 09: Review of Takeshi Koike's high octane anime Redline
(From QuietEarth. 17 August 2009, 12:03 PM, PDT)
(From MTV Movies Blog. 17 November 2009, 3:46 PM, PST)
Locarno 09: Review of Takeshi Koike's high octane anime Redline
(From QuietEarth. 17 August 2009, 12:03 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Excellent Non-Stop Action And Politically Incorrect Police Story
more (174 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| William Petersen | ... | Richard Chance (as William L. Petersen) | |
| Willem Dafoe | ... | Eric 'Rick' Masters | |
| John Pankow | ... | John Vukovich | |
| Debra Feuer | ... | Bianca Torres | |
| John Turturro | ... | Carl Cody | |
| Darlanne Fluegel | ... | Ruth Lanier | |
| Dean Stockwell | ... | Bob Grimes | |
| Steve James | ... | Jeff Rice | |
| Robert Downey Sr. | ... | Thomas Bateman (as Robert Downey) | |
| Michael Greene | ... | Jim Hart | |
| Christopher Allport | ... | Max Waxman | |
| Jack Hoar | ... | Jack | |
| Valentin de Vargas | ... | Judge Filo Cedillo (as Val DeVargas) | |
| Dwier Brown | ... | Doctor | |
| Michael Chong | ... | Thomas Ling |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
116 min | Germany:101 min (TV version)
Country:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Finland:K-16 (cut) |
Finland:K-18 (uncut) |
Iceland:16 |
Argentina:18 |
Singapore:PG (cut) |
Singapore:M18 |
USA:R (certificate #27848) |
Australia:R |
France:-12 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:18 |
West Germany:16 |
Norway:18 (video premiere) (1987) |
Norway:(Banned) (1986-2003) (cinema release)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
During the opening sequence when the Willem Dafoe character is shown printing money the film crew is actually creating counterfeit bills. They had a convicted counterfeiter on set showing them how it is done. They were filming out in the desert and Willem Dafoe said that every time a helicopter flew over the building they were sure it was the police coming to arrest them all.
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Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: In the original 1985 theater release, there was a large shadow of the crew and equipment visible on the ground as John Vukovich approaches the warehouse with Chinese character.
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Quotes:
Richard Chance:
Where's the key?
Thomas Ling: I don't have it.
Richard Chance: He doesn't have it. What a guy!
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Thomas Ling: I don't have it.
Richard Chance: He doesn't have it. What a guy!
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Movie Connections:
Featured in Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)
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Soundtrack:
Cold Day in Hell
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (174 total)
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In Los Angeles, the secret agent Richard Chance (William L. Petersen) loses his partner and friend Jim Hart (Michael Greene) in an investigation of counterfeit, two days before the retirement of Jim. The agent John Vukovich (John Pankow) is assigned to work with Chance, who is obsessed to capture Eric 'Rick' Masters (Willem Dafoe), the criminal responsible for the death of Jim. Chance risks his partner and his own career, trying to arrest Rick.
"To Live and Die in L.A" is an excellent non-stop action movie, having an excellent pacing and being a politically incorrect police story. All the characters are amoral, dirty and sordid, and it is impossible to feel sympathy for any of them. There are excellent scenes, such as the car chase in the streets of Los Angeles, or the surprising lethal shooting in the end of the story. The DVD shows a commercial alternative ending of the story, fortunately not accepted by the director William Friedkin. The unpredictable and credible end as it is makes the great difference of this outstanding movie. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Viver e Morrer em Los Angeles" ("To Live and Die in Los Angeles")