IMDb RATING
6.0/10
5.9K
YOUR RATING
The new kid in school must battle a gang of street toughs after stealing the gang leader's girl.The new kid in school must battle a gang of street toughs after stealing the gang leader's girl.The new kid in school must battle a gang of street toughs after stealing the gang leader's girl.
- Awards
- 1 win
Robert Downey Jr.
- Jimmy Parker
- (as Robert Downey)
Panchito Gómez
- Mickey
- (as Panchito Gomez)
Francis X. McCarthy
- Man at Bus Stop
- (as Frank McCarthy)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFirst theatrical feature film in top billed role for actor James Spader,
- GoofsIn James Spader's first appearance in the film the patch on the back of his leather jacket is slashed with a car antenna. Although the patch is still slashed when he arrives at school the next day, it next appears fully intact later the same day at school while Spader is talking to Robert Downey, Jr.
- Crazy creditsDuring the end credits, we see Morgan, Frankie, Jimmy and Ronnie dancing and playing instruments with Jack Mack and the Heart Attack at Club 60's.
- Alternate versionsOn the home video version, the song "Breakin' the Rules" is performed by Jonathan Elias, instead of Lene Lovich, whose version is played in the theatrical release.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Cinema Snob: Children of the Corn (1984) (2023)
- SoundtracksTuff Turf
Written by Jonathan Elias & Doug Hall
Performed by Southside Johnny Lyon (as Southside Johnny)
Published by Chilly D. Music and Music Design Publishing
Featured review
Great L.A. gang flick.
This was one of my favorite movies growing up. The movie deals with a troublesome youth named Morgan Hiller (James Spader) who moves with his family to Los Angeles from Connecticut. One night, while bicycling through the city, he interrupts a robbery-in-progress by a gang. The gang leader's hot girlfriend, Frankie (Kim Richards) seems to be impressed with this new kid in town. They see him the following day at school and all hell breaks loose. There is a strong attraction between Morgan and Frankie, which makes for even more trouble with the gang leader, Nick (Paul Mones) and his posse. The soundtrack is good with a little bit of everything from punk rock to new wave. It also features music by Marianne Faithful, Southside Johnny, The Jim Carroll Band, and others. Lots of music, '80s campy fashion, and great fight sequences.
helpful•115
- arturopanduro
- May 11, 2000
- How long is Tuff Turf?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $9,369,329
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,509,380
- Jan 13, 1985
- Gross worldwide
- $9,369,329
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