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Above the Law

  • 1988
  • R
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
36K
YOUR RATING
Steven Seagal in Above the Law (1988)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
99+ Photos
Dark ComedyMartial ArtsOne-Person Army ActionPolice ProceduralActionCrimeDramaMysteryThriller

A former Special Operations Vietnam vet works as a Chicago cop, and uncovers C.I.A. wrongdoing.A former Special Operations Vietnam vet works as a Chicago cop, and uncovers C.I.A. wrongdoing.A former Special Operations Vietnam vet works as a Chicago cop, and uncovers C.I.A. wrongdoing.

  • Director
    • Andrew Davis
  • Writers
    • Andrew Davis
    • Steven Seagal
    • Steven Pressfield
  • Stars
    • Steven Seagal
    • Pam Grier
    • Henry Silva
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    36K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Andrew Davis
    • Writers
      • Andrew Davis
      • Steven Seagal
      • Steven Pressfield
    • Stars
      • Steven Seagal
      • Pam Grier
      • Henry Silva
    • 130User reviews
    • 44Critic reviews
    • 45Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Above the Law
    Trailer 0:31
    Above the Law

    Photos111

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    + 103
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    Top cast71

    Edit
    Steven Seagal
    Steven Seagal
    • Nico Toscani
    Pam Grier
    Pam Grier
    • Delores Jackson
    Henry Silva
    Henry Silva
    • Zagon
    Ron Dean
    Ron Dean
    • Lukich
    Daniel Faraldo
    Daniel Faraldo
    • Salvano
    Sharon Stone
    Sharon Stone
    • Sara Toscani
    Miguel Nino
    • Chi Chi
    Nicholas Kusenko
    • Agent Neeley
    Joe Greco
    • Father Gennaro
    • (as Joe V. Greco)
    Chelcie Ross
    Chelcie Ross
    • Nelson Fox
    Gregory Alan Williams
    Gregory Alan Williams
    • Agent Halloran
    • (as Gregory Alan-Williams)
    Jack Wallace
    Jack Wallace
    • Uncle Branca
    Metta Davis
    • Rosa Toscani
    Joseph F. Kosala
    • Lt. Strozah
    • (as Joseph Kosala)
    Ronnie Barron
    Ronnie Barron
    • CIA Bartender
    Joe D. Lauck
    Joe D. Lauck
    • Senator Harrison
    Henry Godinez
    • Father Tomasino
    Danny Goldring
    Danny Goldring
    • Zagon's Aide
    • Director
      • Andrew Davis
    • Writers
      • Andrew Davis
      • Steven Seagal
      • Steven Pressfield
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Henry Silva broke Steven Seagal's nose in the final fight scene. Seagal was rushed to the hospital. The next day Seagal was back at work. He stayed up all night icing it, so that he wouldn't get a black eye.
    • Goofs
      During the search in Nico's house, an officer calls Steven Seagal "Steve" instead of "Nico."
    • Quotes

      Nico Toscani: You know something Fox. Right now in Europe they're trying some 80 year-old camp guard for Nazi war crimes. And all around our country they got guys on death row for murdering 1, 2, 3 guys. And they probably deserve what they're going to get. But you & I... we know a couple of people that are personally responsible for the death of what, 50,000 non-military personnel? Librarians, teachers, doctors, women, children. All dead! We've wiped-out entire cultures! And for what? Not one C.I.A. agent has ever been tried, much less accused of any crimes. You guys think you're above the law. Well, you ain't above mine.

    • Alternate versions
      German uncut DVD came out in 2006 with all violent scenes intact.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Colors/18 Again!/Above the Law/Bad Dreams (1988)

    User reviews130

    Featured review
    6/10

    A Solid Start For Seagal

    I have decided to work my way through Steven Seagal's filmography having not watched him in anything since 1996.

    Nico: Above The Law (1988)

    Nicolo 'Nico' Toscani is a bad ass Chicago cop who "should be wearing a number not a badge" His partner is Jacks a strong, well written woman played by the excellent Pam GrierHis wife is played by Sharon Stone, but she isn't really given much to dI.

    Segeal makes a decent acting debut. He is certainly effective. I forgot how receeding his hair was back then. He was really lean back then too. He does have a strong screen presence. It is obvious he is doing a lot of his own stunts too, Annoyingly some of the fight sequences are full of quick cuts and close ups. There is a shockingly bad use of a dummy (you can see it in the trailer)

    It's more layered than your usual action flick, but it's not very original (it is really similar to Code Of Silence which is also directed by Andrew Davis) and there is some ropey acting at times

    I do not know if my Blu-ray is cut, but the ending seems to be cut. Segeal has a lot of blood on his face for someone who was only punched twice.

    Nico: Above The Law grossed $18 million at the domestic box office (on a $7 million budget) to end 1988 as the 56th highest grossing movie of the year.
    • slightlymad22
    • Jun 25, 2019
    • Permalink

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Above the Law?Powered by Alexa
    • What are the differences between the British BBFC 18 Version and the Uncut Version?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 22, 1988 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Hong Kong
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Italian
      • Japanese
      • Vietnamese
      • Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
    • Also known as
      • Nico
    • Filming locations
      • Chicago, Illinois, USA(on location)
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $7,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $18,869,631
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,037,938
      • Apr 10, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $18,869,631
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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