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Always Outnumbered

  • TV Movie
  • 19981998
  • RR
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Laurence Fishburne in Always Outnumbered (1998)
  • Drama
A former prisoner tries to save a neighbor youth from following him down the wrong path.A former prisoner tries to save a neighbor youth from following him down the wrong path.A former prisoner tries to save a neighbor youth from following him down the wrong path.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Michael Apted
  • Writer
    • Walter Mosley(book "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned")
  • Stars
    • Laurence Fishburne
    • Daniel Williams
    • Bill Cobbs
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michael Apted
  • Writer
    • Walter Mosley(book "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned")
  • Stars
    • Laurence Fishburne
    • Daniel Williams
    • Bill Cobbs
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 28User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 6 nominations

    Photos

    Always Outnumbered (1998)
    Always Outnumbered (1998)
    Always Outnumbered (1998)
    First Time Felon (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Laurence Fishburne
    Laurence Fishburne
    • Socrates Fortlowas Socrates Fortlow
    Daniel Williams
    • Darrylas Darryl
    Bill Cobbs
    Bill Cobbs
    • Right Burkeas Right Burke
    Natalie Cole
    Natalie Cole
    • Iula Brownas Iula Brown
    Laurie Metcalf
    Laurie Metcalf
    • Halley Grimesas Halley Grimes
    Alan Wilder
    Alan Wilder
    • Anton Crieras Anton Crier
    Cicely Tyson
    Cicely Tyson
    • Luviaas Luvia
    Bridgid Coulter
    Bridgid Coulter
    • Corina M'Shallaas Corina M'Shalla
    Bill Nunn
    Bill Nunn
    • Howard M'Shallaas Howard M'Shalla
    Isaiah Washington
    Isaiah Washington
    • Wilfredas Wilfred
    Bill Duke
    Bill Duke
    • Blackbird Willsas Blackbird Wills
    Kevin Carroll
    Kevin Carroll
    • Pegusas Pegus
    Jamaal Carter
    • Phillipas Phillip
    John Toles-Bey
    John Toles-Bey
    • Stoney Wileyas Stoney Wiley
    Brooke Marie Bridges
    Brooke Marie Bridges
    • Winnie M'Shallaas Winnie M'Shalla
    John Gavigan
    • Mr. Keeneas Mr. Keene
    Perry Moore
    • Kikoas Kiko
    Sammi Rotibi
    Sammi Rotibi
    • Marlow Bittaas Marlow Bitta
    • Director
      • Michael Apted
    • Writer
      • Walter Mosley(book "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned") (teleplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The cap that Socrates wears throughout the movie reads "90291", the zip code corresponding to the Los Angeles suburb of Venice (roughly 15 miles west of where this movie takes place). The M'Shalla family moves to Venice at the end of the movie after Howard gets a job there.
    • Quotes

      Socrates Fortlow: You and your friends did wrong, Darryl. Now, I'm just talking to you, one black man to another, all right, 'cause, see, if you don't know when you've done wrong, life ain't worth a damn.

    • Connections
      Spin-off The Right Mistake
    • Soundtracks
      Chain of Fools
      Written by Don Covay (as Dan Covay)

      Published by Fourteenth Hour Music Inc., Promptu

      Performed by Aretha Franklin

      Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.

      By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

    User reviews28

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    A Good Man
    In Los Angeles, the hot-tempered collector of cans Socrates "Socco" Fortlow (Laurence Fishburne) is an ex-con that has served a long sentence for killing a man and a woman. Now he is trying to build a new life and find a job. However he is discriminated against his age, color and background. His only friend is Right Burke (Bill Cobbs), who is dying of cancer. He also helps a young woman that is having problems with her husband. When Socco meets the boy Darryl (Daniel Williams), he finds that Darryl lives with a foster family that does not take care of him. Further, he has just witnessed the murder of another boy by a small-time criminal. Socco helps the boy to grow-up while helps Burke and tries to find work at a supermarket.

    "Always Outnumbered" is a powerful drama with the story of a man that is trying to build a new life after committing murder and staying imprisoned for a long period. He has no education, but has become wise with the lessons of life, and is a good man that helps friends and acquaintances. The story shows also his difficulty to find a job due to his age, color and background. However the plot is hopeful in the end. My vote is seven.

    Title (Brazil): "Garantia de Vida" ("Warranty of Life")
    helpful•6
    0
    • claudio_carvalho
    • Mar 25, 2016

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 21, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Home Box Office (HBO)
      • Palomar Pictures (II)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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