Heat Wave (1990)

The events that led to the 1965's racial riots in Watts, Los Angeles, are covered by a black messenger-turned-reporter at the L.A. Times, as he was one of the first correspondents to arrive... See full summary »

Director:

Kevin Hooks

Writer:

Michael Lazarou

Stars:

Cicely Tyson, Blair Underwood, James Earl Jones

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 5 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cicely Tyson	...	Ruthana Richardson
Blair Underwood	...	Bob Richardson
James Earl Jones	...	Junius Johnson
Margaret Avery	...	Roxie Turpin
David Strathairn	...	Bill Thomas
Glenn Plummer	...	J.T. Turpin
Vondie Curtis-Hall	...	Clifford Turpin
Paris Vaughan	...	Lada
Harold Pruett	...	John Riggs
Adam Arkin	...	Art Berman
Robert Hooks	...	Reverend Brooks
Michael Greene	...	Mr. Canfield
Charlie Korsmo	...	Jason (age 12)
Sally Kirkland	...	Mrs. Canfield
T.E. Russell	...	Dominique Freeman

Storyline

The events that led to the 1965's racial riots in Watts, Los Angeles, are covered by a black messenger-turned-reporter at the L.A. Times, as he was one of the first correspondents to arrive at the scene. The movie also follows the troubled times he, his family and friends went through in one of the most tense and sad moments in American history.

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Plot Keywords:

riot | archive footage | structural racism | racism | year 1965 | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 August 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Conflito em Los Angeles

Filming Locations:

Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avnet/Kerner Productions,Propaganda Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In two scenes Bob Richardson mentions that he's an admirer of famous journalist Edward R. Murrow in order to impress his future employers at the Los Angeles Times. The newspaper chief editor is played by David Strathairn, who played Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005).

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Quotes

Bob Richardson: He loved you.

User Reviews

Mini review of Heat Wave

Intelligently and insightfully written, movingly played. Heat Wave is hot!