Barnes & Noble

This gritty, stylish thriller, made in 1985, did for Los Angeles what Miami Vice did for that outwardly glamorous and appealing metropolis: exposed its corrupt and repellent underside. At the time of its theatrical release, To Live and Die… set a new benchmark for urban-cop dramas; many critics were appalled by its graphic language, the brutality of its violent action scenes, and its underlying nihilism. But they generally liked William Petersen -- today the star of CSI, TV’s top drama, but then just establishing himself as an edgy leading man -- who portrays a dogged Secret Service agent obsessed with nailing the ruthless counterfeiter (Willem Dafoe, in his best role up to that time) responsible for killing his partner. Director William Friedkin rather self-consciously imposed upon the film a peculiar, hyper-realistic style that has proven highly influential. His characters often behave unbelievably, even foolishly, but their actions seem perfectly reasonable and acceptable within the context of the story. A well-staged, brilliantly edited car chase harkens back to Friedkin’s French Connection, and that’s just one of the action highlights in this fast-paced two hours. Although To Live and Die… remains firmly rooted in its ‘80s time frame (an air reinforced by the Wang Chung score), it offers a driving pace and visceral impact that audiences have come to expect from violent urban melodramas. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

William Friedkin's crime thriller, based on a book by U.S. Secret Service agent Gerald Petievich, concerns an arrogant Secret Service official who wants to get his man at any price. Willem Dafoe plays Eric Masters, an ultra-smooth counterfeiter who has managed to sidestep the police for years. He is so up-front about his dealings, in fact, that when some undercover agents try to make a deal with him at his health club, Eric tells them, "I've been coming to this gym three times a week for five years. I'm an easy guy to find. People know they can trust me." But when young and eager Secret Service agent Richard Chance (William L. Petersen) finds out that his partner has been cold-bloodedly murdered by Eric, he trains his relentlessness upon capturing Eric -- whether it means robbery, murder, or exploiting his friends and associates. As Chance erases the dividing line between good and evil, he drags his new partner John Vukovich (John Pankow) and Ruth Lanier (Darlanne Fluegel), an ex-con, down into the maelstrom with him. Paul Brenner

Product Details

• UPC: 027616886453
• Source: MGM (VIDEO & DVD)
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital Mono, Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English, Français, Español
• Subtitles: English, Français, Español
• Time: 1:56:00
• Sales Rank: 3,762

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• To Live and Die in L.a./Dark Blue

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