Dead Presidents (1995)

A Vietnam vet adjusts to life after the war while trying to support his family, but the chance of a better life may involve crime and bloodshed.

Directors:

Albert Hughes (as The Hughes Brothers), Allen Hughes (as The Hughes Brothers)

Writers:

Allen Hughes (story), Albert Hughes (story)

Stars:

Larenz Tate, Keith David, Chris Tucker

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Larenz Tate	...	Anthony Curtis
Keith David	...	Kirby
Chris Tucker	...	Skip
Freddy Rodríguez	...	Jose
Rose Jackson	...	Juanita Benson
N'Bushe Wright	...	Delilah Benson
Alvaleta Guess	...	Mrs. Benson
James Pickens Jr.	...	Mr. Curtis
Jenifer Lewis	...	Mrs. Curtis
Clifton Powell	...	Cutty
Elizabeth Rodriguez	...	Marisol
Terrence Howard	...	Cowboy (as Terrence Dashon Howard)
Ryan Williams	...	Young Revolutionary
Larry McCoy	...	Nicky
Rodney Winfield	...	Mr. Warren

Storyline

This action film, directed by the Hughes brothers, depicts a heist of old bills, retired from circulation and destined by the government to be "money to burn." However, more broadly, it addresses the issues of Black Americans' involvement in the Vietnam War and their subsequent disillusionment with progress in social issues and civil rights back home in the United States, during the 1960's.

---

Plot Keywords:

vietnam war | 1960s | black panthers | new york city | black militant | 

---

Taglines:

They'll risk everything for the ultimate score.

---

Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller | War

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong graphic violence, language, a sex scene and some drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both Larenz Tate & Chris Tucker's characters are hail from The Bronx and end up fighting in the Vietnam war. In Apocalypse Now (1979) Laurence Fishburne's character was also from The Bronx, there's even an Apocalypse Now moment as the sun is shinning behind a flying chopper.

---

Goofs

Cowboy and Anthony are shooting pool. Cowboy leans over the table to shoot and the 2-ball is clearly sitting in front of the side pocket. After Cowboy misses his shot, the view widens and the 2-ball is seen rolling to the middle of the table.

---

Quotes

Skip: My great great great granddaddy was a pimp and a slave. He would have his hoes out in the field picking his cotton for him, he didn't have to do a goddamn thing!

---

Alternate Versions

Criterion Laserdisc also famously had a rather graphic unrated version of the armored car robbery scene near the end, apparently the original version nearly got the movie the NC-17 and it was cut down.

---

Connections

References Taxi Driver (1976)

---

Soundtracks

Twenty-Five Miles
Written by Edwin Starr, Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua, Jerry Wexler (as Gerald Wexler) & Bert Berns
Performed by Edwin Starr
Courtesy of Motown Record Company, L.P.
By Arrangement With Polygram Special Markets

User Reviews

great (esp.Tucker)

Chris Tucker is hilarious in this movie, he has great on screen charisma, and he speaks his lines very fluidly, as if he was improvising. Larenz Tate is great as well, being able to pull off the young version of his character, since he has a boyish face. And Bokeem Woodbine reminds me of Samuel L. Jackson in this movie. The cinematography is also great and so is the acting overall. Like everyone says, its not so much as a heist movie, but a reflection on the hardships of the black individual, such as finding work and drug abuse; after fighting a war that wasnt really meant for them or their country.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dead Presidents

Filming Locations:

Mount Vernon, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,943,778, 8 October 1995

Gross USA:

$24,147,179

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$24,147,179

Company Credits

Production Co:

Caravan Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Underworld Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1