IMDb > Heat (1995)
Heat
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 58 | slideshow) Videos (see all 8)
Heat (1995) -- A Los Angeles crime saga, "Heat" focuses on the lives of two men on opposite sides of the law - one a detective; the other a thief.
Heat (1995) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 31% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Michael Mann (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Heat on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
15 December 1995 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
A Los Angeles crime saga.
Plot:
A Los Angeles crime saga, "Heat" focuses on the lives of two men on opposite sides of the law - one a detective; the other a thief. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
6 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(174 articles)
DVD Giveaway: Public Enemies
 (From TheHDRoom. 23 November 2009, 6:54 AM, PST)

Idris Elba joins the fantastic cast of ‘Thor’
 (From Reel Loop. 20 November 2009, 10:55 AM, PST)

User Comments:
The best character film of all time. more (728 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for violence and language.
Runtime:
170 min | USA:188 min (original pre-aired NBC version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The scene of McCauley standing against a window and watching the ocean was inspired by the painting "Pacific" by Alex Colville. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Once during the armored car holdup, the spike strip is visible in the background before it has been deployed. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Construction Clerk: Check, charge, or cash?
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Pacino and DeNiro: The Conversation (2005) (V) more
Soundtrack:
The Mighty Limpopo more

FAQ

Because Shiherlis never showed up to be apprehended by the cops, would Charlene go to jail?
What was the point of Breedan's character? There was a bit of focus on him then he just...
A Note Regarding Spoilers
more
288 out of 342 people found the following comment useful.
The best character film of all time., 23 June 2000
10/10
Author: Irvine from Arlington, TX.

Sound like a bold statement? Devotees of classic cops and robbers flicks of old will no doubt take exception, but I believe that Michael Mann achieved some measure of perfection with Heat. To break this three-hour gem of a film down to its core, this is a film about men - strong men - and the supporting role that he women of the film have on them for better or worse. Take Pacino as good cop Vincent Hanna: one of the most intense characterizations of the tragic hero that I have ever witnessed, as he laments the demise of his third marriage to a pill-junkie wife. A fact which he discusses with his archnemesis (De Niro) in what history will regard as one of the most frenetic scenes in the history of film. The dialogue in this scene (at the very end of the first tape, if you own the VHS version) sets up the last half of the film beautifully, as our two rivals come to the joint realization that they have no hand in choosing the paths that will lead them to their ultimate confrontation: their very natures so define their respective actions that any attempt to do otherwise would simply be a waste of time. While I have heard others (who I am ashamed at times to call close friends) say that Heat drags in places, I will concede that there are moments in the film that require more than the cursory attention that they give to the movie they happen to be watching at any given time (I'm sorry not every director is Jerry Bruckheimer), there are poignant developments of character in Heat that many would casually disregard. I am thinking of the interaction between the ex-con who finds conditional employment in a diner with an opportunistic scum of a boss, and whose girlfriend is so proud of him for swallowing his pride and not simply giving the sonofabitch a good pummeling. But there is a catharsis that I felt for that same ex-con when De Niro's character presents him with the opportunity to take just one more score, for old time's sake. Who doesn't feel for this guy - this minor character in a film with big-time heavyweights who gets to shine for a few brief moments. That's what Heat is really: a series of brief moments, some touching, others traumatic, and still others incredibly horrifying in the feelings that they inspire in the romantic who, like me sees not black or white portrayals of protagonist and villain, but a montage of grays that combine to create a vivid spectrum of film characterization that could not be found in hundreds of films combined. One of my five favorite films of all time, Heat is a cinematic banquet of intense imagery and pulse-pounding action. Come hungry.









Was the above comment useful to you?
more (728 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Heat (1995)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
For all Heat fans Stefan850
It seems that this movie is overrated sorry. ruink
Best film of the 20th century--simple as that! vivrant
Are Hanna and McCauley actually...(might spoil) hellmnky
De Niro better than Al Pacino? what movies did you see? jumades
Freeway Question denispln
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Live Free or Die Hard Face/Off The Fugitive Léon Collateral
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Action section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.