Heat (1986)

Las Vegas is the backdrop for all the torrid action of heat, as Burt Reynolds plays the soft-hearted bodyguard who's out to protect his friends.

Directors:

Dick Richards (as R.M. Richards), Jerry Jameson (uncredited)

Writers:

William Goldman (screenplay), William Goldman (novel)

Stars:

Burt Reynolds, Karen Young, Peter MacNicol

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Burt Reynolds	...	Mex (as Nick Escalante)
Karen Young	...	Holly
Peter MacNicol	...	Cyrus Kinnick
Howard Hesseman	...	Pinchus Zion
Neill Barry	...	Danny DeMarco
Diana Scarwid	...	Cassie
Joseph Mascolo	...	Baby (as Joe Mascolo)
Alfie Wise	...	Felix
Deborah Rush	...	D.D.
Wendell Burton	...	Osgood
Joanne Jackson	...	Millicent
Joe Klecko	...	Kinlaw
Peter Koch	...	Tiel (as Pete Koch)
Joseph Bernard	...	Pit Boss
Barry Polkowitz	...	Hot Shot Dealer

Storyline

Reynolds plays an ex-soldier-of-fortunish character in Vegas, taking "Chaperone" jobs, fighting with the mob, and trying to get enough money together to move to Venice, Italy.

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Plot Keywords:

venice italy | tough guy | psychopath | casino | bodyguard | 

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Taglines:

No fear - No law. He's out for revenge.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Burt Reynolds and Director Dick Richards came to blows on the film. When the smoke settled, Richards had a broken jaw, courtesy of Reynolds. Noted TV Director Jerry Jamieson was brought in to complete the film. Richards later successfully sued Reynolds for damages in court.

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Goofs

In the fight lesson between Mex and Cyrus. Mex punches Cyrus in the face which result in a nose bleed. A couple of frames later the nose bleed is gone. But it reappears during their dialog later.

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Quotes

[His qualifications.]
Mex: Well, I've been knocked down, blown up, lied to, shit on, shot at, I'm not a virgin except in my heart, nothing much surprises me anymore except what people do to each other. I'm a licensed pilot, I lectured on economics at Yale, and I can memorize the front page of the New York Times in five minutes, and repeat it back to you in five weeks. I was National Golden Gloves Champion three years in a row and I'm fluent in four languages. And... I lie a lot!

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Alternate Versions

All UK releases of 'HEAT' omit the final scene, in which Peter McNicol's character survives his shotgun blast. This 'happier' ending can be found in the US DVD release only

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Burt Reynolds/Dick Shawn (1986)

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Soundtracks

The Floorwalker
Composed by Dennis Wilson

User Reviews

Reynolds is better than the script.

One of Burt Reynold's best performances. Having said that, the movie has some definite shortcomings. Mex's dreams of Venice seem awfully thin. The part where he interacts with MacNichols is much better than the Mafia stuff that the film degenerates into. All in all, however, a much better film than you'd think. (for all its obscurity)

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 March 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Heat

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,354,375, 15 March 1987

Gross USA:

$2,793,214

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,793,214

Company Credits

Production Co:

Escalante Productions, Elliott Kastner Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1