Tougher Than Leather (1988)

Legendary hip-hop group Run-D.M.C. stars in this cross between a blaxploitation film and a spaghetti western. They must find and punish the evil drug lord-record company executive who ... See full summary »

Director:

Rick Rubin

Writers:

Ric Menello, Rick Rubin

Stars:

Darryl McDaniels, Daniel Simmons, Jason Mizell

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Darryl McDaniels	...	Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels
Daniel Simmons	...	Prison Warden
Jason Mizell	...	Jason 'Jam Master Jay' Mizell
Joseph Simmons	...	Joseph 'Run' Simmons
Richard Edson	...	Bernie Carteez
George Godfrey	...	Nathan Burdette
Rick Rubin	...	Vic Ferrante
Ric Menello	...	Arthur Ratnor
Steven N. Williams	...	Vic's Bodyguard No. 2
Russell Simmons	...	Himself
Adam Yauch	...	Himself
Mike D	...	Himself
Adam Horovitz	...	Himself
Jenny Lumet	...	Pam
Raymond White	...	Raymond 'Runny Ray' Walker

Storyline

Legendary hip-hop group Run-D.M.C. stars in this cross between a blaxploitation film and a spaghetti western. They must find and punish the evil drug lord-record company executive who murdered their friend. Along the way, they encounter racist bikers, blonde bimbos, and the Beastie Boys!

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Plot Keywords:

hip hop | murder | dream | rap | party | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Music

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 September 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mad Dogs - Im Schatten der Gewalt

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$3,582,760 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Def Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although he was never seen on screen, Eddie Murphy spent a lot of time on the set of the film hanging out with Run DMC and crew.

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Quotes

Adrock: [to a male waiter] Excuse me, miss... you got crabs?
Mike D: Coffee gives me the runs.

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Connections

Featured in Run-DMC: Together Forever - Greatest Hits 1983-2000 (2000)

User Reviews

Entertaining rap musical action comedy. A fun time capsule.

This is a low budget action move set in the rap music industry, starring one of the most popular groups of the first wave of rap stars, Run-DMC. Though produced on a shoestring and rough around the edges, this fun little epic captures the style and period when rap music was king far better than slicker more hyped films like KRUSH GROOVE. The acting is a bit shaky at times, but Run, DMC, Jam Master Jay and the others project an impressive charisma. The entertaining story moves along at a fast clip, with our heros out to avenge the death of a beloved roadie at the hands of some slimy music industry sharks who have a sideline laundering drug money. Cameos by rap music heavyweights like The Beastie Boys, Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin and LL Cool J add to the amusement. Director/co-writer/co-star Rubin's father Mickey gives a nice performance as a mafia kingpin who is less than thrilled with his son's chosen profession. Co-writer Ric Menello went on to direct several classic music videos for The Beastie Boys and LL Cool J. All in all, not too shabby.