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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

They'll risk everything for the ultimate score.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

References [Northwest Passage (1940)] both films feature a character who decapitates a dead enemy and then carries the head with them. In both films this action is used to indicate mental illness.

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Goofs

At the bank doors on the dock. The soundtrack implies metal doors being unlocked and opened/closed. The door opens and you can see that there are no bolts. It has a deadbolt but nothing on the door edge suggesting an opening. At the top edge of the door it looks almost wood like. The door did not even lock or have a doorknob channel.

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Quotes

Jose: Oh, did you fucking see that, man!
Skip: Motherfucker, you blew up the whole fucking truck, motherfucker!

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Alternate Versions

Criterion laserdisc version includes additional scenes originally deleted before the theatrical release.

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Connections

Spoofed in Half Baked (1998)

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Soundtracks

Ain't That A Groove
Written by James Brown & Nat Jones
Performed by James Brown
Courtesy of Polydor Records
By Arrangement With Polygram Special Markets

User Reviews

Brothers In Arms.

Albert and Allen Hughes direct, produce and co-write (with Michael Henry Brown) this tale about Anthony Curtis (Larenz Tate), a South Bronx boy who goes off to fight in Vietnam, to then return after his tours of duty to find things just aren't the same anymore. The follow up to their incendiary debut, Menace II Society, the Hughes brothers deliver another in your face picture that is quite frankly on a perpetual downer. This is no bad thing, though, as long as you are not looking to be cheered up.

That's Uncle Sam for you! Mean Green.

The pic very much harks back to the glory days of film noir in the 40s and 50s, where some talented film makers began to tell stories of returning war veterans finding what they left behind is now alien to them - with some characters, as is the case here - deeply scarred by their experiences. Add in some gangster elements and the coup de grâce that is the scintillating heist, and clearly the brothers have seen many an old classic film. That the narrative is tried and tested stops the piece hitting greater heights, this in spite of some super acting (especially Tate and the always value for money Keith David) and the hard hitting violence that pierces the senses. Predictable yet potent, and certainly memorable, it's well worth a look for the tough of mind and the classic era film of heart. 7/10

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