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To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

 -  Action | Crime | Drama  -  1 November 1985 (USA)
7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 14,578 users  
Reviews: 201 user | 77 critic

A fearless Secret Service agent will stop at nothing to bring down the counterfeiter who killed his partner.

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(novel), (screenplay), 1 more credit »
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Title: To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) on IMDb 7.1/10

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Richard Chance (as William L. Petersen)
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...
...
...
...
...
...
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Thomas Bateman (as Robert Downey)
Michael Greene ...
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Jack Hoar ...
Valentin de Vargas ...
Judge Filo Cedillo (as Val DeVargas)
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Michael Chong ...
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Storyline

Two cops in Los Angeles try to track down the vicious criminal Eric Masters. Then, one of them is killed by Masters and the other one swears revenge no matter what the cost. After that, the hunt becomes an ob- session and the law he once swore to uphold becomes meaningless to him. Written by Harald Mayr <marvin@bike.augusta.de>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

A federal agent is dead. A killer is loose. And the City of Angels is about to explode. See more »


Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

| |

Release Date:

1 November 1985 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Vivir y morir en Los Ángeles  »

Box Office

Gross:

$967,312 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (TV)

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

1980s band Wang Chung provided much of the soundtrack for this movie. When Chance enters the topless bar for the first time, Wang Chung's first hit song, "Dance Hall Days", is playing in the background. See more »

Goofs

Whenever frontal camera angles are used to film revolvers being pointed, it is clear that their cylinders are empty. See more »

Quotes

Bob Grimes: [to Vukovich] Because I represent Masters, I can't get deeply involved in your case, if you see what I mean.
See more »

Crazy Credits

Right at the end, after the credits, there is a shot of William Petersen's face See more »

Connections

Referenced in Hairshirt (1998) See more »

Soundtracks

"Lullaby"
Performed by Wang Chung
Produced by Wang Chung
Courtesy of Geffen Records
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Excellent pacing and effective marriage of action and music
5 February 2005 | by (monterey, california) – See all my reviews

Worthy of the director of "French Connection," the pace of this set- in-LA action thriller immediately draws the view in and never lets up. A car chase in the best traditions of "Bullitt" and of Friedkin's own "French Connection" is centers the action, but the motivation of a rogue agent obsessed with the death of his partner, and clearly with his own death, are well- and credibly- drawn. The most sympathetic character in the story is not one of the principals. It is a female informer. An ex-con at the mercy of those on both sides of the law, she is callously exploited by all. Her feelings for Agent Chance are more implied than explicit, but they are believable as is his indifference to her as a person. This riveting film never lets your attention wander. Thanks to Friedkin, we are told, we are given a credible ending to this taut, tightly- wound thriller. An under-exposed, under-appreciated work; excellent for the genre.


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Message Boards

Recent Posts
Strange actor/actress switch. Scott699
'Why didn't you take the deal Grimes offered ya?' You_Have_Chosen_Wisely
Was this a big movie in the 80s? Never heard of it much these days Lancer01
What was up with this ending? Bugz_moran
Chance's jeans. Good God! Jefbecco-1
Similar films? asktheages
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