IMDb > King of New York (1990)
King of New York
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King of New York (1990) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 3 NEW)
King of New York (1990) -- A former drug lord returns from prison determined to wipe out all his competition and distribute the profits of his operations to New York's poor and lower classes in this stylish and ultra violent modern twist on Robin Hood.
King of New York (1990) -- A former drug lord returns from prison determined to wipe out all his competition and distribute the profits of his operations to New York's poor and lower classes in this stylish and ultra violent modern twist on Robin Hood.
King of New York (1990) -- ZuGuide.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.9/10   9,133 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 36% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Abel Ferrara
Writer (WGA):
Nicholas St. John (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for King of New York on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
28 September 1990 (USA) more
Genre:
Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller more
Tagline:
Not everyone who runs a city is elected. more
Plot:
A former drug lord returns from prison determined to wipe out all his competition and distribute the profits of his operations to New York's poor and lower classes in this stylish and ultra violent modern twist on Robin Hood. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
1 win & 2 nominations more
User Comments:
Kingpin more (90 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Christopher Walken ... Frank White

David Caruso ... Dennis Gilley

Laurence Fishburne ... Jimmy Jump (as Larry Fishburne)
Victor Argo ... Roy Bishop

Wesley Snipes ... Thomas Flanigan
Janet Julian ... Jennifer
Joey Chin ... Larry Wong

Giancarlo Esposito ... Lance
Paul Calderon ... Joey Dalesio

Steve Buscemi ... Test Tube

Theresa Randle ... Raye
Leonard L. Thomas ... Blood (as Leonard Lee Thomas)
Roger Guenveur Smith ... Tanner (as Roger Smith)
Carrie Nygren ... Melanie
Ernest Abuba ... King Tito
more
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Additional Details

Runtime:
103 min
Country:
Italy | USA | UK
Language:
Spanish | English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby SR
Certification:
New Zealand:R18 (original rating) | Iceland:16 | Sweden:15 (TV rating) | Argentina:16 | South Korea:18 | Australia:R | France:-16 | Germany:18 | New Zealand:R16 (re-rating) (2004) | Norway:18 (video premiere) | UK:18 | USA:R (re-rating on appeal) | USA:X (original rating)
Company:
Caminito more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The production avoided shooting on the streets during the production as much as possible due to the NYC drought. Director Abel Ferrara used sprayers and hoses in order to better portray the city. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Bishop is chasing Frank White in the subway, Bishop passes through three cars toward the front of the train, each with the same background extra (a white man in a blue shirt and glasses). Then when Frank White departs the subway after shooting Bishop, it's from the second car from the rear of the train. more
Quotes:
Frank White: There are some things I don't do. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in A Short Film About the Long Career of Abel Ferrara (2004) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Saturday Night more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
9 out of 15 people found the following comment useful.
Kingpin, 4 November 2005
8/10
Author: jotix100 from New York

The basic dilemma facing the police in this country is the fact, that the law seems to protect those that are breaking it. Dennis Gilley, one of the New York detectives is a man that thinks this is wrong and then decides to take care of the great problems a newly released Frank White is creating for the city.

Abel Ferrara is a director that doesn't mind taking chances, or tackling thorny issues, as he has proved with his films. Mr. Ferrara seems to bring the best in the actors working for him. Christopher Walken is an example, so it's Harvey Keitel, who has given extraordinary readings about the characters they portray on the screen in movies with Abel Ferrara at the helm.

"King of New York" is a violent film. Mr. Ferrara is making a comment on the element that was causing so much problems in New York prior to the arrival of Rudolph Giuliani, who decided to tackle the criminal activity to the point of eliminating most of the violence in the streets of the city.

The film presents an intense man that is released from prison. Frank White continues his criminal activities where he left them off. Frank and his gang are reunited and we watch as this man pushes his way around some of the people that controlled the drug traffic in the city. These people are ruthless and don't care who they kill in their pursuit of earning illicit money by becoming the most important distributors of drugs.

Christopher Walken is at the center of the film. As Frank White, he gives a tremendous performance and totally dominates the movie. Frank White is indeed one of the most ruthless characters in memory. Laurence Fishburne is also seen at his most menacing as one of Frank's most cruel lieutenants. David Caruso, who doesn't seem to get much work in the movies, makes an interesting police detective, one that believes in taking matters into his own hand, causing an all out war with the criminals he is chasing. Victor Argo, plays the man in charge of the police and made a big contribution to the film. The supporting cast does well following Mr. Ferrara's orders.

"King of New York" is a valid study of what this city looked like not too long ago. Abel Ferrara succeeds in making this an exciting time at the movies, for no one is going to be bored following its action.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for King of New York (1990)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Anyone else find Fishburne hilarious? (spoilers) kevfent
King of New York better than Scarface?? azn_pryde15
Did Frank mess up Gilley's car beforehand (spoilers) kevfent
This movie is nothing short of great exclusiveburner
Walken + Fishburne dunkel_berg25
Here are the many flaws in this movie. Killakai
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