Colors (1988)

An experienced cop and his rookie partner patrol the streets of East Los Angeles while trying to keep the gang violence under control.

Director:

Dennis Hopper

Writers:

Michael Schiffer (screenplay), Michael Schiffer (story),

Stars:

Sean Penn, Robert Duvall, Maria Conchita Alonso

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Penn	...	Officer Danny McGavin
Robert Duvall	...	Officer Bob Hodges
Maria Conchita Alonso	...	Louisa Gomez
Randy Brooks	...	Ron Delaney
Grand L. Bush	...	Larry Sylvester (as Grand Bush)
Don Cheadle	...	Rocket
Gerardo Mejía	...	Bird
Glenn Plummer	...	Clarence 'High Top' Brown
Rudy Ramos	...	Melindez
Sy Richardson	...	O.S.S. Sgt. Bailey
Trinidad Silva	...	Leo 'Frog' Lopez
Charles Walker	...	Reed
Damon Wayans	...	T-Bone
Fred Asparagus	...	Cook
Sherman Augustus	...	Officer Porter

Storyline

A confident young cop is shown the ropes by a veteran partner in the dangerous gang-controlled barrios of L.A. about to explode in violence in this look at the gang culture enforced by the colors that members wear.

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Plot Keywords:

gang | violence | barrio | gang violence | beretta | 

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Taglines:

It's The Movie That Forced America To Choose A Side... Now It's Your Turn.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

15 April 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Colors - Farben der Gewalt

Filming Locations:

104 West 113th Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$46,616,067 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Orion Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Critics complained that the scene showing the funeral being disrupted by gang gunfire was unrealistic. According to the filmmakers, shortly after the scene wrapped, a church service a short distance away actually was disrupted by gang gunfire.

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Goofs

The shadow of the camera mount can be seen on Hodges' car during the car chase scene.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Diaz: Hey Hodges, what do you think about all those hot shot jitter bugs, huh?
Bob Hodges: What about 'em?
Diaz: You never went for this shit, did you?
Bob Hodges: No way.

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Connections

References American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987)

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Soundtracks

"SUCH A NIGHT"
Performed by Dr. John
Written by Dr. John (as Mac Rebennack)
Published by Cotillion Music
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Gangs in L.A. will never die, just multiply. Colors.

I always enjoy watching this film. Raw, and uncompromising. Great performances by Sean Penn and Robert Duvall.

A dark, and gritty portrayal of gang life in LA, and the special cop task force who deals with them. The film is never preachy, or insulting in it's execution. Awash with violence and profanity - but it's not glorified and serves a purpose.

This movie isn't without flaws. I could have done without the drawn-out, and pointless lovemaking scene with Penn and Maria Conchita Alonso. T-Bone's arrest scene could have been explained without a feeble attempt at comedy. Also, I think "eyy hoolmes" is said about 50 times too many. I feel that these greatly undermine what is overall a solid motion picture.

If you're a fan of gritty cop/crime dramas, or of gangsta' movies, I strongly urge you to see this film.