Heat (1995)

A group of professional bank robbers start to feel the heat from police when they unknowingly leave a clue at their latest heist.

Director:

Michael Mann

Writer:

Michael Mann

Stars:

Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer

Top Rated Movies #123 | 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Al Pacino	...	Lt. Vincent Hanna
Robert De Niro	...	Neil McCauley
Val Kilmer	...	Chris Shiherlis
Jon Voight	...	Nate
Tom Sizemore	...	Michael Cheritto
Diane Venora	...	Justine
Amy Brenneman	...	Eady
Ashley Judd	...	Charlene Shiherlis
Mykelti Williamson	...	Sergeant Drucker
Wes Studi	...	Casals
Ted Levine	...	Bosko
Dennis Haysbert	...	Donald Breedan
William Fichtner	...	Roger Van Zant
Natalie Portman	...	Lauren Gustafson
Tom Noonan	...	Kelso

Storyline

Hunters and their prey--Neil and his professional criminal crew hunt to score big money targets (banks, vaults, armored cars) and are, in turn, hunted by Lt. Vincent Hanna and his team of cops in the Robbery/Homicide police division. A botched job puts Hanna onto their trail while they regroup and try to put together one last big 'retirement' score. Neil and Vincent are similar in many ways, including their troubled personal lives. At a crucial moment in his life, Neil disobeys the dictum taught to him long ago by his criminal mentor--'Never have anything in your life that you can't walk out on in thirty seconds flat, if you spot the heat coming around the corner'--as he falls in love. Thus the stage is set for the suspenseful ending....

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Plot Keywords:

gun battle | honor | bank | armored car robbery | child in jeopardy | 

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Taglines:

A Los Angeles Crime Saga

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

15 December 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Heat

Filming Locations:

Venice Boulevard at Georgia Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,445,656, 17 December 1995, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$67,436,818

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$107,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Regency Enterprises, Forward Pass

Technical Specs

Runtime:

170 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Keanu Reeves was originally signed to play Chris Shiherlis, and Carsten Norgaard was also one of Michael Mann's options, but they both lost the part when Val Kilmer was able squeeze it into his schedule while making Batman Forever (1995).

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Goofs

After the bank robbery, Michael tries to escape, and in so doing, trips and falls into a pond. When he gets up to take the little girl hostage, he looks dry. The suit is indeed wet though, which is evident when looking closely. It just doesn't seems that way. Some fabrics look similar wet and dry.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Construction Clerk: Check, charge, or cash?

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Alternate Versions

In the original 1995 theatrical release, the end credit theme slowly faded by Moby mid-credits to the sounds of a quiet air-field that played through the remainder of the credits. This was later changed in the subsequent home video release and restored theatrical versions which plays the opening theme over the credits.

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Connections

Featured in Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)

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Soundtracks

God Moving Over The Face Of The Waters
Written by Moby (as Richard Hall)
Performed by Moby
Courtesy of Elektra Entertainment Group / Mute Records Ltd.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

One Of The Best Crime Films Ever

I really believe this is one the great crime movies of all time. It has some drawbacks that wouldn't make me recommend this for family viewing - tons of f- words by Al Pacino and a few bloody scenes, but as far as a fascinating crime story: wow!

This movie made modern-day history because it was the first time two of the great actors of this generation - Pacino and Robert De Niro - finally acted together in the same film. Those two didn't disappoint, either. They were great to watch and one of the huge highlights of the film, to me, was when they faced each other in a simple conversation over a cup of coffee. That conversation has always fascinated me, no matter how many times I've heard it. It was such a "landmark" scene that It's even the subject of a short documentary on the special-edition DVD.

As with the conversation scene, the shootout segment in the streets of Los Angeles still astounds me no matter how many times I see it. The other action scenes are intense and memorable, too, and the cast in here is deep. This isn't just Pacino and De Niro. It's Val Kilmer, Ashley Judd, Jon Voight, Diana Venora, Natlie Portman, Tom Sizemore, Amy Brenamann, Wes Studi, Ted Levine, Mykelti Williamson, on and on.

Put that fabulous cast under Michael Mann, one of the best directors in business, add a great soundtrack and interesting camera-work and you have a great film. At three hours long, it never bores one and at same time, doesn't overdo the action, either. I read one critic criticize this film because of the time taken to examine the personal lives of the main characters, but you can't have three hours of nothing but action. The only scene I felt went on a bit too long was the ending chase at the airport, but that's nitpicking considering the film as a whole.

This is just one of those movies where a great cast and director live up to their billing.