8 Million Ways to Die (1986)

Scudder is a detective with the Sheriff's Department who is forced to shoot a violent suspect during a narcotics raid. The ensuing psychological aftermath of this shooting worsens his ... See full summary »

Director:

Hal Ashby

Writers:

Lawrence Block (book), Oliver Stone (screenplay)

Stars:

Jeff Bridges, Rosanna Arquette, Alexandra Paul

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Bridges	...	Scudder
Rosanna Arquette	...	Sarah
Alexandra Paul	...	Sunny
Randy Brooks	...	Chance
Andy Garcia	...	Angel Maldonado
Lisa Sloan	...	Linda Scudder
Christa Denton	...	Laurie Scudder
Vance Valencia	...	Quintero
Wilfredo Hernández	...	Hector Lopez (as Wilfredo Hernandez)
Luisa Leschin	...	Hector's Wife
Vyto Ruginis	...	Durkin
Henry O. Arnold	...	Homicide Detective (as Chip Arnold)
James Avery	...	Deputy D.A.
Jack Younger	...	Drunk
Zoaunne LeRoy	...	Nurse

Storyline

Scudder is a detective with the Sheriff's Department who is forced to shoot a violent suspect during a narcotics raid. The ensuing psychological aftermath of this shooting worsens his drinking problem and this alcoholism causes him to lose his job, as well as his marriage. During his recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous, he meets a mysterious stranger who draws him back into a world of vice. In trying to help this beautiful woman, he must enter a crime-world of prostitution and drugs to solve a murder, while resisting the temptation to return to his alcohol abuse.

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Plot Keywords:

alcoholics anonymous | alcoholic | snow cone | party | shouting | 

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Taglines:

Death comes to all except those who deserve it most

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

25 April 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

8 Millionen Wege zu sterben

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$609,955, 27 April 1986, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,305,114

Company Credits

Production Co:

Producers Sales Organization (PSO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo Dolby Digital (uncredited)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Vyto Ruginis.

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Goofs

During the showdown a cop guns down two criminals in the van, but the windshield piercing explosives malfunction and fail to detonate anywhere near in sync with the shot handgun.

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Quotes

Angel Moldonado: Guy had no predecessors and no successors. He was the best.

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Connections

References Naked City (1958)

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Soundtracks

If You Have To Know
Performed by Lonnie Mack
Words and Music by Will Jennings, Lonnie Mack and Tim Drummond
From the album, "Strike Like Lightning" - 1985

User Reviews

It's very good: don't believe the hype!

I saw this film a couple of nights ago. I only bothered as it was a Hal Ashby movie & I'm a big fan. He didn't let me down. Ok it's not a masterpiece or even amongst his best but it's still a powerfully intense thriller. Superficially similar to Scarface it is less showy, more personal & more convincing. Garcia's stylised gangster with his 'Gaudi' affectations almost unsettles the realism but is compulsive. Bridges turns in another superb performance as the hard-boiled, ex-cop battling with alcoholism & other demons. Ashby's Chandleresque take on 80's LA is familiar but beautifully vivid nevertheless. What raises it above the plethora of dark 80's thrillers is it's old-fashioned 70's values like complex character and troubled hero not in control of the narrative over fast-pace, shallow action & irony. To the post-Star Wars generation '8 Million Ways' may look meandering and indulgent but this says more about their limitations as film fans than it does about the film.