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IMDbPro

Tuff Turf

  • 1985
  • R
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
5.5K
YOUR RATING
James Spader and Kim Richards in Tuff Turf (1985)
The new kid in school must battle a gang of street toughs after stealing the gang leader's girl.
Play trailer2:39
1 Video
65 Photos
ActionComedyDrama

The new kid in school must battle a gang of street toughs after stealing the gang leader's girl.The new kid in school must battle a gang of street toughs after stealing the gang leader's girl.The new kid in school must battle a gang of street toughs after stealing the gang leader's girl.

  • Director
    • Fritz Kiersch
  • Writers
    • Jette Rinck
    • Greg Collins O'Neill
    • Murray Michaels
  • Stars
    • James Spader
    • Kim Richards
    • Paul Mones
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    5.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Fritz Kiersch
    • Writers
      • Jette Rinck
      • Greg Collins O'Neill
      • Murray Michaels
    • Stars
      • James Spader
      • Kim Richards
      • Paul Mones
    • 56User reviews
    • 34Critic reviews
    • 37Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:39
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos65

    Robert Downey Jr. in Tuff Turf (1985)
    Tuff Turf (1985)
    Tuff Turf (1985)
    Tuff Turf (1985)
    James Spader and Kim Richards in Tuff Turf (1985)
    Tuff Turf (1985)
    Kim Richards in Tuff Turf (1985)
    Kim Richards in Tuff Turf (1985)
    Tuff Turf (1985)
    Tuff Turf (1985)
    Tuff Turf (1985)
    Kim Richards and Paul Mones in Tuff Turf (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Spader
    James Spader
    • Morgan Hiller
    Kim Richards
    Kim Richards
    • Frankie Croyden
    Paul Mones
    Paul Mones
    • Nick Hauser
    Matt Clark
    Matt Clark
    • Stuart Hiller
    Claudette Nevins
    Claudette Nevins
    • Page Hiller
    Robert Downey Jr.
    Robert Downey Jr.
    • Jimmy Parker
    • (as Robert Downey)
    Olivia Barash
    Olivia Barash
    • Ronnie
    Panchito Gómez
    • Mickey
    • (as Panchito Gomez)
    Michael Wyle
    • Eddie
    Catya Sassoon
    Catya Sassoon
    • Feather
    Francis X. McCarthy
    Francis X. McCarthy
    • Man at Bus Stop
    • (as Frank McCarthy)
    Art Evans
    Art Evans
    • Security Guard
    Herb Mitchell
    Herb Mitchell
    • Mr. Russell
    Ceil Cabot
    • Secretary
    Donald Fullilove
    Donald Fullilove
    • Howard
    Vivian Brown
    • History Teacher
    Bill Beyers
    • Brian Hiller
    Jered Barclay
    • Reynolds
    • Director
      • Fritz Kiersch
    • Writers
      • Jette Rinck
      • Greg Collins O'Neill
      • Murray Michaels
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Robert Downey Jr. became good friends with James Spader, and even named his cat Jimmy in honor of him. They would appear together again in Less Than Zero (1987) and Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015).
    • Goofs
      In James Spader's first appearance in the film the patch on the back of his leather jacket is slashed with a car antenna. Although the patch is still slashed when he arrives at school the next day, it next appears fully intact later the same day at school while Spader is talking to Robert Downey, Jr.
    • Quotes

      Ronnie: Can you believe this place? There's not a zit in the house!

    • Crazy credits
      During the end credits, we see Morgan, Frankie, Jimmy and Ronnie dancing and playing instruments with Jack Mack and the Heart Attack at Club 60's.
    • Alternate versions
      On the home video version, the song "Breakin' the Rules" is performed by Jonathan Elias, instead of Lene Lovich, whose version is played in the theatrical release.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Cinema Snob: Children of the Corn (1984) (2023)
    • Soundtracks
      Tuff Turf
      Written by Jonathan Elias & Doug Hall

      Performed by Southside Johnny Lyon (as Southside Johnny)

      Published by Chilly D. Music and Music Design Publishing

    User reviews56

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Image is everything.
    Anyone with a music shout-out? 'Tuff Turf' is a uneven, but overly stylised and fashionable mixture ranging from a lesser take on 'Rebel without a Cause' with a constant spray of social and class references/forbidden romance in a L.A suburban backdrop and being backed-up by a pumping soundtrack led by Jim Carroll and Jack Mack and Heart Attacks. The music was non-stop and the story's tone and shape zips-around, as early on we seemed to move from one joint to another featuring blaring tunes and raving dance moves.

    Morgan Miller and his family have just moved from Connecticut to Los Angeles, where he encounters and interferes with the local gang led by the psychotic Nick Hauser. To make matters worse, his fallen for Hauser's girlfriend Frankie and goes about trying to grab her attention, despite the warnings and beatings to stay away from her.

    The young cast are quite good. James Spader genuinely fits blending a rebellious attitude with easy-going suaveness. The gorgeous Kim Richards is completely transfixing in who wholesome performance and punk appearance. Paul Mones nails down his role as the hot-headed thug and Robert Downey Jr. lends in with an agreeable performance. Also dependable character actor Matt Clark makes for solid support.

    Director Fritz Kiersch truly gets the beat on with its breakneck pack (despite some editing in the story wouldn't have gone astray) and stylishly muscular verve. When it calls for it, Kiersch isn't afraid to pack a punch, as the jarring violence is sweaty and a bloody pulp. Jonathan Elias' booming, sullen synthesiser score helps cement the rough atmosphere and saucy energy. Some set-pieces seem to work better than others, but there's no question there are a couple of powerful, moving and harsh illustrations. The script isn't as foreseeable, but the humour at times seemed to get in the way or not entirely fit.
    helpful•15
    4
    • lost-in-limbo
    • Jan 23, 2009

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 11, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Love-Fighters
    • Filming locations
      • Sandy's Char Burger - 6223 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • New World Pictures
      • Planet Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $9,369,329
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,509,380
      • Jan 13, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $9,369,329
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 52 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    James Spader and Kim Richards in Tuff Turf (1985)
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