A fearless Secret Service agent will stop at nothing to bring down the counterfeiter who killed his partner.A fearless Secret Service agent will stop at nothing to bring down the counterfeiter who killed his partner.A fearless Secret Service agent will stop at nothing to bring down the counterfeiter who killed his partner.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 1 nomination
William Petersen
- Richard Chance
- (as William L. Petersen)
Jane Leeves
- Dancer
- (as Jane Leaves)
- …
Cherise Bates
- Dancer
- (as Cherise Bate)
Michael Higgins
- Dancer
- (as Michael W. Higgins)
Chris Latanzi
- Dancer
- (as Chris Lattanzi)
Darlanne Fluegel
- Ruth Lanier
- (as Darlanne Fleugel)
Robert Downey Sr.
- Thomas Bateman
- (as Robert Downey)
Valentin de Vargas
- Judge Filo Cedillo
- (as Val DeVargas)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDespite the crew's best efforts, some of the counterfeit bills made for the film got into circulation. The bills' quality was very, very good, but the Treasury seal on the counterfeits used the letter X, which is not a valid Federal Reserve Bank letter. The Secret Service picked up X bills for quite a while after filming wrapped.
- GoofsAt conclusion of the chase, a dark brown van with a multicolor horizontal stripe is part of the gridlock, but as agents drive away, the van is seen approaching on opposite lanes.
- Quotes
Eric 'Rick' Masters: You have my word you won't have to do the whole nickel.
Carl Cody: What does that mean?
Eric 'Rick' Masters: Grimes is the best lawyer in the state. It'll either be an appeal bond or a sentence reduction.
Carl Cody: And the check is in the mail, and I love you, and I promise not to come in your mouth...
- Crazy creditsRight at the end, after the credits, there is a shot of William Petersen's face
- Alternate versionsGerman theatrical and VHS versions were cut by 25 seconds to secure a "Not under 16" rating. DVD release is uncut with the same rating.
- ConnectionsEdited into Biomechanical Toy (1995)
Featured review
Raw, brilliant crime thriller
When Friedkin went "back on the streets" in 1985 to make TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A., he made a classic that will endure and that perfectly captures its 80's milieu.
I don't understand these idiots who complain how a film is "dated" by its music. Of course a film is "dated" by its specific elements, but so what. This superb film, which has an amazingly kinetic Wang Cheung score, is about a time (the mid-eighties) and place (L.A.) that is now history, and it is a punishing document.
The film works on many levels. Yes, it is about counterfeiting and superficial (re: counterfeit) relationships. It is about greed, survival, justice and morality. It is also about human beings using and laying to waste other human beings.
These powerful ingredients weave their way through a police procedural/action thriller plot that never stops to catch its breath and is pure cinema.
Willem Dafoe is totally engrossing as the film's villain, while William Peterson delivers a highly focused, tough turn. Dean Stockwell is also a stand-out as a crook lawyer and real cop Jack Hoar is quietly spectacular as Dafoe's mule.
And the film boasts one unbelievable car chase that has not been equaled since.
But LIVE AND DIE is also a film that expertly marries the visual to the aural and depicts a part of Southern California that has not been so credibly depicted before.
Dynamite!
I don't understand these idiots who complain how a film is "dated" by its music. Of course a film is "dated" by its specific elements, but so what. This superb film, which has an amazingly kinetic Wang Cheung score, is about a time (the mid-eighties) and place (L.A.) that is now history, and it is a punishing document.
The film works on many levels. Yes, it is about counterfeiting and superficial (re: counterfeit) relationships. It is about greed, survival, justice and morality. It is also about human beings using and laying to waste other human beings.
These powerful ingredients weave their way through a police procedural/action thriller plot that never stops to catch its breath and is pure cinema.
Willem Dafoe is totally engrossing as the film's villain, while William Peterson delivers a highly focused, tough turn. Dean Stockwell is also a stand-out as a crook lawyer and real cop Jack Hoar is quietly spectacular as Dafoe's mule.
And the film boasts one unbelievable car chase that has not been equaled since.
But LIVE AND DIE is also a film that expertly marries the visual to the aural and depicts a part of Southern California that has not been so credibly depicted before.
Dynamite!
helpful•21923
- fertilecelluloid
- Jan 20, 2004
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Leben und sterben in L.A.
- Filming locations
- 600 Mesquit Street, Los Angeles, California, USA(Scene under the bridge)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $8,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $17,307,019
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,551,761
- Nov 3, 1985
- Gross worldwide
- $17,310,830
- Runtime1 hour 56 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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