Hard to Kill (1990)

Left for dead with his wife killed in their house, L.A. Detective Mason Storm will have to make a quick recovery, expose those behind the murder and take revenge.

Director:

Bruce Malmuth

Writer:

Steven McKay

Stars:

Steven Seagal, Kelly LeBrock, William Sadler

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steven Seagal	...	Mason Storm
Kelly LeBrock	...	Andy Stewart (as Kelly Le Brock)
William Sadler	...	Senator Vernon Trent (as Bill Sadler)
Frederick Coffin	...	Lt. Kevin O'Malley
Bonnie Burroughs	...	Felicia Storm
Andrew Bloch	...	Capt. Dan Hulland
Branscombe Richmond	...	Max Quentero
Charles Boswell	...	Jack Axel
Zachary Rosencrantz	...	Sonny Storm
Lou Beatty Jr.	...	Carl Becker
Nick DeMauro	...	Calabrese
Nick Corello	...	James Valero
Justin De Rosa	...	Mikey
Stanley Brock	...	Counterman
Evan James	...	Danny

Storyline

Following up on a lead, L.A. Detective Mason Storm gathers evidence against the Mob and its political supporters but unfortunately, he is being monitored secretly, and when his cover gets blown, he will be home invaded and left for dead. Seven years later, Storm unexpectedly recovers from his deep coma only to realise that he needs to finish what he started and finally get even. In the end, now that Storm is unstoppable, no one will deny him of his rightful and devastatingly violent retribution. Who can be a match for a dead man's fury?

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Plot Keywords:

coma | hospital | revenge | nurse | presumed dead | 

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Taglines:

He's L.A. Detective Mason Storm. Three hired assassins left him for dead. And he's waited seven years to even the score.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on several references to the Academy Awards being broadcast on the same night, the events in the first part of the film would've taken place on April 11, 1983.

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Goofs

As she sits down to her desk, Andy says "It's 6AM. Morning Martha." The scene immediately cuts to Andy back up from her desk continuing to speak while walking toward Martha. During the whole walk the wall clock behind Martha's seat shows 5:50.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mason Storm: Come on. Let's go, guys. I'm missin' the Oscars.

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Alternate Versions

The UK cinema version was cut by 12 seconds to gain an '18' rating. The shotgun-in-the-mouth wardrobe scene was cut, as was the kick Seagal delivers to the face of the man with the snooker cue in his neck. The cut cinema version was submitted for the pan-and-scan video release in 1990. The previous cuts made to HARD TO KILL were restored for the 1999 video release (which came in a box set with cut versions of NICO (ABOVE THE LAW) and OUT FOR JUSTICE) and all DVD versions are also uncut.

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Connections

Referenced in Penn & Teller: Bullshit!: Holier Than Thou (2005)

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Soundtracks

Mexican Hat Dance
(uncredited)

User Reviews

Tension,thriller,intrigue with the tough Seagal in a film narrated with great agility and fast movement

The picture talks on the police agent called Storm(Seagal)whose family is wiped out by a corrupt politician, he is severely wounded and spends several years in coma.He awakes and executes a terrible vendetta, the happenings go out of control ,causing an incredible body-count against numerous evil-doers(William Sadler,Branscombe Richmond).He is only helped by a gorgeous nurse(his wife Kelly Le Brock,now days is divorced)and a good cop(Frederick Coffin). The film is combined of unstopped action,shoot out,violence,fighting, romance between both protagonists and a minimum characterization.Beside abundant fist fights in which body parts are slice off and limbs are slit or blasted apart.Savage and brutal killings make only recommended for those adults no squeamish and with strong stomach enough to take it.The movie gets a certain similarity with Charles Bronson films from ¨Death wish¨series for the matter,the avenger,thus the main personage ,the Vigilante, makes of judge,jury and executioner.It's a run a mill action movie because from the start until the end the action packed is continued ,in fact ,the final confrontation is breathtaking and extremely violent.The film is from Steven Seagal first period when the movies were of middling or high budget(Above the law,Marked for death,Out of justice,On deadly ground,The patriot),nowdays are of bow budget(Out of kill,Submerged,Foreigner,Black Dawn). The picture has an atmospheric synthesizer music fitting to action by David Michael Frank,nicely cinematography by Matthew F. Leonetti and is well realized by Bruce Malmuth.The motion picture provides fast and furious amusing and action nonstop with no sense developed with fast pace and movement.It's a must for the Seagal fans.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 February 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Seven Year Storm

Filming Locations:

Saddlerock Ranch - 32111 Mulholland Highway, Malibu, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,213,631, 11 February 1990

Gross USA:

$47,410,827

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$47,410,827

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Lee Rich Productions, Adelson / Todman / Simon Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo (4 channels)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1