A Mexican-American Mafia kingpin is released from prison, falls in love for the first time, and grows introspective about his gangster lifestyle.
Director:
Writers:
Award:
- 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Sal Lopez | ... |
Pedro Santana
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Vira Montes | ... |
Esperanza Santana
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Roberto Martín Márquez | ... |
Acha
(as Robert Martin Marquez)
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| Dyana Ortelli | ... |
Yolanda
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Joe Aubel | ... |
Tattoo Artist
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Rob Garrett | ... |
Zoot Riot Bystander
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| Lance August | ... |
Young Sailor
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| Cody Glenn | ... |
Older Sailor
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| Don Pugsley | ... |
Police Officer
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Panchito Gómez | ... |
Young Montoya Santana
(as Panchito Gomez)
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Albert Joe Medina Jr. | ... |
Street Mechanic
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Alex Solís | ... |
Street Mechanic
(as Alex Solis)
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Raymond Amezquita | ... |
Abuelito
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| Steve Wilcox | ... |
Young JD
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| Richard Coca | ... |
Young Mundo
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Javier Castellanos | ... |
Hazard Kid
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| Richard Lee-Sung | ... |
Restaurant Owner
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| Eric Close | ... |
Juvie Hall Attacker
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Christian Klemash | ... |
Blond Kid in Yard
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Brian Holechek | ... |
Juvie Officer
(as Brian Joe Holechek)
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Rigoberto Jimenez | ... |
Big Happy
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| Edward James Olmos | ... |
Montoya Santana
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| William Forsythe | ... |
JD
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| Pepe Serna | ... |
Mundo
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Daniel A. Haro | ... |
Huero
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| Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa | ... |
El Japo
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Domingo Ambriz | ... |
Pie Face
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| Ron Thompson | ... |
Junkie
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Glenn Shelton | ... |
Visiting Room Guard
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Scott Johnstad | ... |
Visiting Room Guard
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Abraham Verduzco | ... |
Paulito - age 7
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Grace Morley | ... |
JD's Friend
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Danny De La Paz | ... |
Puppet
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| Vic Trevino | ... |
Cheetah
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| Robby Robinson | ... |
Drug Thief
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Paul Bollen | ... |
Doc
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Guillermo Pérez | ... |
Willie-Vato
(as Guillermo Perez)
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| Daniel Villarreal | ... |
Little Puppet
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Robert Chavez | ... |
Sparky
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Rafael H. Robledo | ... |
El Chucko
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Modesto M. Sanchez | ... |
Mo
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Dennis Ryan Sacco | ... |
Paulito - age 11
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Michael Shaner | ... |
Tony Scagnelli, Jr.
(as Michael A. Shaner)
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Tom S. Ventimiglia | ... |
Segregation Guard
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William Fetzer | ... |
Processing Guard
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Thomas Richard Gorman III | ... |
Processing Guard
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George Padilla | ... |
Mundo's Attorney
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Humberto Madrigal | ... |
Veneno
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| Jaime Gomez | ... |
Eddie
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Jose Guardado | ... |
Samson
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| Jacob Vargas | ... |
Paulito - age 15
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Daniel Lujan | ... |
Mico (age 9)
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Evelina Fernández | ... |
Julie
(as Evalina Fernandez)
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Rodney Rincon | ... |
Shoe Salesman
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John Rangel | ... |
Nelo - age 15
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Robert Pucci | ... |
Bodyguard
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| Tony Giorgio | ... |
Don Antonio Scagnelli
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Sabino Villa Lobos | ... |
Tin Man
(as Sabino Villalobos)
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Armando Briseno | ... |
Chuy
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Mauricio Ernesto Anzueto | ... |
Bam Bam
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| Manny Perry | ... |
Arthur J
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Bennie Moore | ... |
Ronnie Little
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| Alex Brown | ... |
Eddie Johnson
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| William Smith | ... |
Deacon
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Gerald Lynn Walker | ... |
BGF Member
(as Gerald L. Walker)
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| William T. Amos | ... |
Tank
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Irma Aurea García | ... |
Lourdes
(as Irma Aurea Garcia)
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Robert Alvarez | ... |
Ralphy
(as Roberto Alvarez)
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| Ken Medlock | ... |
Cop
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| Rolando Molina | ... |
Cop
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Ana Lizarraga | ... |
Julie's Mother
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Steven Cisneros | ... |
Chivo
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Dawud Abdullah | ... |
Prison Inmate (uncredited)
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| Art Bonilla | ... |
NF Gangleader (uncredited)
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| Tom Bower | ... |
Dornan (uncredited)
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| Marc Cinquanta | ... |
Sailor (uncredited)
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| Kevin Gardner | ... |
Sailor (uncredited)
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| P. Raymond | ... |
Sailor (uncredited)
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Jessica Russell | ... |
Waitress (uncredited)
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| Dennis Walter Smith Sr. | ... |
Interviewer (uncredited)
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Dave Smith | ... |
Prison inmate (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Edward James Olmos | ||
Written by
| Floyd Mutrux | ... | (story) |
| Floyd Mutrux | ... | (screenplay) and |
| Desmond Nakano | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| Lou Adler | ... | executive producer |
| Sean Daniel | ... | producer |
| Brian E. Frankish | ... | co-producer |
| Randee Lynne Jensen | ... | associate producer |
| Antoinette Levine | ... | associate producer |
| Floyd Mutrux | ... | executive producer |
| Edward James Olmos | ... | producer |
| Irwin Young | ... | executive producer |
| Robert M. Young | ... | producer |
Music by
| Claude Gaudette | ||
| Dennis Lambert | ||
Cinematography by
| Reynaldo Villalobos | ||
Editing by
| Richard Candib | ||
| Arthur Coburn | ... | (as Arthur R. Coburn) |
Editorial Department
| Terra Abroms | ... | post-production coordinator (as Terra Mair) |
| Julie Dole | ... | assistant editor (as Julia Dole) |
| Susan Godfrey | ... | assistant editor |
| Phil Hetos | ... | color timer |
| Sharon McGeeney | ... | negative cutter |
| Brian Ralph | ... | negative cutter |
| Elizabeth Schmidt | ... | assistant editor (as Elizabeth Fulton) |
| Paula Suhy | ... | assistant editor (as Paula Greatbatch) |
Casting By
| Bob Morones | ||
Production Design by
| Joe Aubel | ||
Art Direction by
| Richard Toyon | ... | (as Richard Yanez) |
Set Decoration by
| Martin Price | ... | (as Martin C. Price) |
Costume Design by
| Sylvia Vega-Vasquez | ||
Makeup Department
| David Abbott | ... | makeup artist |
| DeeDee Altamura | ... | assistant makeup artist (as Dee Dee Altamura) |
| Theo Mayes | ... | key hair stylist |
| Gloria Ponce | ... | assistant hair stylist (as Gloria Albarran Ponce) |
| Danny Romo | ... | tattoo artist |
| Steve Romo | ... | tattoo artist |
| Michael Westmore | ... | additional makeup artist (as Mike Westmore) |
| Carlos Yeaggy | ... | makeup artist |
| Lorraine Altamura | ... | third makeup assistant (uncredited) |
| Ken Diaz | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
| Art Harding | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
| Tania McComas | ... | special makeup effects artist (uncredited) |
| Jill Rockow | ... | prosthetic makeup artist (uncredited) |
| Patricia Vecchio | ... | assistant hair stylist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Brian E. Frankish | ... | unit production manager (as Brian Frankish) |
| David Pauker | ... | post-production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Dustin Bernard | ... | additional second assistant director |
| Gilbert Castro | ... | second second assistant director |
| Dan Coffie | ... | dga trainee |
| Richard Espinoza | ... | first assistant director |
| Brian Ort | ... | additional second assistant director |
| Brian Whitley | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| Kinney Booker | ... | set dresser |
| Alex Carrillo | ... | lead carpenter |
| William Davidson | ... | foreman (as William 'Roscoe' Davidson) |
| John Davies | ... | stand-by painter |
| Marc Martin Del Campo | ... | swing gang |
| Marc Fambro | ... | construction coordinator |
| Stephen R. Ferry | ... | swing gang (as Stephen Ferry) |
| John Frantz | ... | second assistant property master |
| Eugene Freiburger | ... | assistant property master |
| Serge Genitempo | ... | stand-by painter |
| Stephanie J. Gordon | ... | set designer (as Stephanie Gordon) |
| Matt Hailey | ... | swing gang |
| Dean B. Katz | ... | set dresser (as Dean Katz) |
| Lance Lombardo | ... | lead person |
| Joseph Musso | ... | production illustrator (as Joe Musso) |
| Thomas J. O'Brien | ... | paint foreman (as Thomas O'Brien) |
| David Scott | ... | property master |
| Greg Villalva | ... | construction coordinator |
| Darrell L. Wight | ... | set designer (as Darrell Wight) |
Sound Department
| Rick Alexander | ... | supervising re-recording mixer |
| Bruce Bell | ... | sound editor |
| James Bolt | ... | re-recording mixer (as Jim Bolt) |
| Jeff Clark | ... | sound editor |
| Andy D'Addario | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Lily Diamond | ... | supervising adr editor |
| John P. Fasal | ... | sound effects recordist (as John Paul Fasal) |
| Sukey Fontelieu | ... | adr editor |
| Mark Gordon | ... | sound editor |
| Janet Gratz | ... | assistant sound editor |
| James J. Isaacs | ... | sound editor |
| Dale Johnston | ... | sound editor |
| Dennis Jones | ... | production sound mixer |
| Richard LeGrand Jr. | ... | foley walker (as Richard Le Grand Jr.) |
| Jimmy Ling | ... | sound editor |
| Greg W. Lowe | ... | adr recordist (as Greg Lowe) |
| William L. Manger | ... | sound editor (as Bill Manger) |
| Diane Marshall | ... | foley walker (as Sissa Diane Marshall) |
| Lori Martino | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Richard Oswald | ... | sound editor |
| Albert Romero | ... | sound recordist |
| Karin Roulo | ... | foley mixer |
| Solange S. Schwalbe | ... | sound editor |
| Tanya Sharp David | ... | adr mixer |
| David Spence | ... | sound editor |
| John Stacy | ... | supervising sound editor (as John M. Stacy) |
| Pat Suraci | ... | boom operator |
| Dan Thomas | ... | sound editor |
| James Thompson | ... | cable operator (as Jim Thompson) |
| Bill Weinman | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Denise Whiting | ... | adr editor |
| Jack Woods | ... | sound editor |
| Jim Yant | ... | sound editor |
| Zack Davis | ... | adr editor (uncredited) |
| Brandon Lee Keropian | ... | assistant to recording director (uncredited) |
| Steve Kohler | ... | sound (uncredited) |
| Janelle Showalter | ... | assistant sound editor (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Terry Chapman | ... | assistant special effects |
| Jeffrey S. Farley | ... | stunt mask design and fabrication |
| Robbie Knott | ... | special effects coordinator |
| Thomas Knott | ... | assistant special effects |
Stunts
| Kenneth John Borland Jr. | ... | stunts |
| John Borland | ... | stunts (as John Borlan) |
| William H. Burton Jr. | ... | stunts (as William H. Burton) |
| David Burton | ... | stunts |
| Steve Chambers | ... | stunts |
| Jeff Dashnaw | ... | stunts |
| Tim A. Davison | ... | stunts (as Tim Davison) |
| Ousaun Elam | ... | stunts |
| Danny Epper | ... | stunts |
| Tony Epper | ... | stunts |
| Richie Gaona | ... | stunts |
| James M. Halty | ... | stunts (as Jim Halty) |
| Freddie Hice | ... | stunts |
| Toby Holguin | ... | stunts |
| Billy Hank Hooker | ... | stunts (as Hank Hooker) |
| Buddy Joe Hooker | ... | stunts |
| Norman Howell | ... | stunts |
| Tony Kahana | ... | stunts |
| Henry Kingi Jr. | ... | stunts |
| Henry Kingi | ... | stunts (as Henry Kingi Sr.) |
| Joel Kramer | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Lane Leavitt | ... | stunts |
| Freddy Lopez | ... | stunts |
| John Meier | ... | stunts |
| Jimmy Ortega | ... | stunts |
| Randy Peters | ... | stunts |
| Chuck Picerni Jr. | ... | stunts |
| Steve Picerni | ... | stunts |
| Peewee Piemonte | ... | stunts (as Richard Piemonte) |
| Víctor Quintero | ... | stunts |
| Branscombe Richmond | ... | stunts |
| Danny Rogers | ... | stunts |
| Erik Rondell | ... | stunts |
| Thomas Rosales Jr. | ... | stunts (as Tom Rosales) |
| Gilbert Rosales | ... | stunts |
| Sharon Schaffer | ... | stunts |
| Tierre Turner | ... | stunts |
| Glenn R. Wilder | ... | stunts (as Glen Wilder) |
| Guss Williams | ... | stunts (as Gerard Williams) |
| Dick Ziker | ... | stunts |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Douglas L. Adam Jr. | ... | additional first assistant camera |
| Mike Amorelli | ... | best boy electric (as Michael Amorelli) |
| Paul Amorelli | ... | electrician |
| Todd Braden | ... | musco lighting technician |
| Steve Bridge | ... | camera operator |
| David L. Butler | ... | camera operator: helicopter camera (as David Butler) |
| Hugo Cortina | ... | chief lighting technician |
| William Cueto | ... | rigging electrician (as Bill Cueto) |
| Moose Enright | ... | set lighting technician (as Thomas Enright) |
| Ernesto Enríquez | ... | rigging electrician (as Ernest Enriquez) |
| Tony Friedkin | ... | still photographer |
| Brad M. Hazen | ... | electrician (as Brad Hazen) |
| Jason Hicks | ... | grip |
| Joe Hicks | ... | dolly grip |
| Brian Holechek | ... | grip (as Brian Joe Holechek) |
| Frank R. Jimenez Jr. | ... | electrician (as Frank Jimenez Jr.) |
| Horace Jordan | ... | first assistant camera |
| Vic Keatley | ... | electrician (as Victor Keatley) |
| Rodger Kelderman | ... | musco lighting technician (as Roger Kelderman) |
| T. Sano Kwong | ... | best boy grip |
| Jeff Mart | ... | steadicam operator |
| Michael Meinardus | ... | steadicam operator (as Mike Meinardus) |
| Bob Munoz | ... | key grip (as Bobby Munoz) |
| Randy Nolen | ... | steadicam operator |
| David Preciado | ... | electrician |
| David Schmalz | ... | video assist operator |
| Donald E. Thorin Jr. | ... | first assistant camera (as Don Thorin Jr) |
| Clarence Tindell | ... | grip |
| Michael T. Travers | ... | rigging grip (as Michael Travers) |
| Maria Varni | ... | loader |
| Reynaldo Villalobos III | ... | second assistant camera |
| Tony Villalobos | ... | second assistant camera |
| Robert M. Young | ... | camera operator |
| Ron Kunecke | ... | musco light operator (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Russell Gray | ... | casting associate |
| Grace Morley | ... | casting assistant |
| Jeff Olan | ... | extras casting |
| Sally Perle | ... | extras casting |
| Terry Zarchi | ... | extras casting (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| John Casey | ... | costume supervisor |
| Julian Mendoza | ... | costume illustrator |
| Willie Perez | ... | key costumer |
| Jessica Vasquez | ... | costumer |
| Monica Vasquez | ... | costumer |
| Denise Wingate | ... | assistant costume designer |
Location Management
| Kenneth Segura Knoll | ... | locations consultant |
| Antoinette Levine | ... | location manager |
| Martine White | ... | assistant location manager |
Music Department
| Tom Boyd | ... | musician: oboe soloist |
| Julian Bratolyubov | ... | music preparation |
| Sandy De Crescent | ... | music contractor (as Sandy DeCrescent) |
| Bruce Frazier | ... | music conductor |
| Claude Gaudette | ... | orchestrator |
| Dennis Lambert | ... | music supervisor |
| Michael Lippman | ... | music consultant |
| George A. Martin | ... | supervising music editor |
| Dawn Solér | ... | music consultant |
| Michael Thompson | ... | musician: guitar |
Script and Continuity Department
| Cassandra Barrere | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Sharon Hollis | ... | transportation captain |
| Randy Peters | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Don Varela | ... | transportation captain |
Additional Crew
| Fabiana Arrastia | ... | assistant coordinator |
| Corey Burton | ... | adr loop group |
| Tony Casas | ... | technical advisor |
| Bundy Chanock | ... | set medic |
| Fernando Cubillas | ... | assistant: Edward James Olmos |
| David W. Dale | ... | assistant: William Forsythe |
| Ramona Diaz Sanchez | ... | production accountant (as Ramona Sanchez Waggoner) |
| Jane Estocin | ... | assistant accountant |
| Susan Gee | ... | production financing |
| Shelly Glasser | ... | production coordinator |
| Bob Hoffman | ... | public relations |
| Jerry Holway | ... | operator: Skyman |
| Steve Johnson | ... | stand-in |
| J. David Jones | ... | helicopter pilot |
| Brandon Lee Keropian | ... | production assistant (as Brandon Keropian Olmos) |
| Solomon J. LeFlore | ... | production financing |
| Ana Lizarraga | ... | coordinator: youth gang services |
| Charles Manriquez | ... | technical advisor |
| Luis Reyes | ... | publicist |
| Charlotte Richardson | ... | researcher |
| Modesto M. Sanchez | ... | stand-in |
| Rodney Saulsberry | ... | adr voice |
| James P. Schreiber | ... | production counsel |
| Burton Sharp | ... | adr group coordinator |
| Shawn Stevens | ... | crafts service/catering |
| Michael Vasquez | ... | assistant auditor |
| Daniel Wheatcroft | ... | studio executive |
| John Achorn | ... | additional voices (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Steve Valdivia | ... | the producers wish to thank |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Universal Pictures Canada (1992) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Universal Pictures (1992) (United States) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1992) (Germany) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1992) (Spain) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1992) (France) (theatrical)
- Universal Pictures (1992) (Italy) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1992) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (1992) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1993) (Australia) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1993) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Hispanic Education And Media Group (2006) (United States) (theatrical)
- CIC Video (1993) (Germany) (VHS)
- HanseSound (2023) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- HanseSound (2023) (Germany) (DVD)
- Shout Select (2019) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Shout! Factory (2019) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Universal Pictures Video (2002) (Mexico) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Video (2005) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Universal Studios Home Video (2002) (United States) (DVD)
- Universal Studios Home Video (2003) (United States) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Deluxe Digital Studios (transfer) (2007 DVD)
- Pacific Studios II (chromatrans background)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
This epic depiction of thirty years of Chicano gang life in Los Angeles focuses on a teen named Santana who, with his friends Mundo and the Caucasian-but-acting-Hispanic J.D., form their own gang and are soon arrested for a break-in. Santana gets into trouble again and goes straight from reform school to prison, spending eighteen years there, and becoming leader of a powerful gang, both inside and outside the prison, while there. When he is finally released, he tries to make sense of the violence in his life, in a world much changed from when last he was in it.
Written by Gary Dickerson |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | In prison they are the law. On the streets they are the power. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $16,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $3,378,100, 15 Mar 1992 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Danny Trejo warned Edward James Olmos not to film the movie due to the death threats he was getting from the Mexican Mafia. See more » |
| Goofs | The lingo/street talk many of the gang members use didn't start to be used until the late '70s or early '80s. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in My Cousin Vinny/Article 99/American Me/The Lawnmower Man/Shakes the Clown/Daughters of the Dust (1992). See more » |
| Soundtracks | El Gaban See more » |
| Quotes |
Montoya Santana:
I hear Little Puppet's name is on a piece of paper, ese. J.D.: I want you to cosign it. Montoya Santana: I'm taking it off, ese. J.D.: That punk got you kicked back in the hole, set us all back. Now he's running around talking loud shit about how he wants out of La Eme. His number's up, homes. Montoya Santana: I said I'm taking it off, ese. J.D.: What's gonna happen is gonna happen. Don't try to stop it. You understand me? I'm asking you, carnal. Montoya Santana: Is that where it's gotten to, ese? J.D.: Brothers are talking about you. Montoya Santana: What are they saying, ese? J.D.: They're saying that you're not showing them anything. Montoya Santana: You know, a long time ago, two best homeboys, two kids, were thrown into juvie. They were scared, and they thought they had to do something to prove themselves. And they did what they had to do. They thought they were doing it to gain respect for their people, to show the world that no one could take their class from them. No one had to take it from us, ese. Whatever we had... we gave it away. Take care of yourself, carnal. See more » |