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Blood In, Blood Out

Original title: Bound by Honor
  • 1993
  • R
  • 3h
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
37K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,093
758
Benjamin Bratt, Jesse Borrego, and Damian Chapa in Blood In, Blood Out (1993)
Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on step-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo.
Play trailer1:51
1 Video
75 Photos
EpicTragedyTrue CrimeBiographyCrimeDrama

Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on step-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo.Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on step-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo.Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on step-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo.

  • Director
    • Taylor Hackford
  • Writers
    • Ross Thomas
    • Jimmy Santiago Baca
    • Jeremy Iacone
  • Stars
    • Damian Chapa
    • Jesse Borrego
    • Benjamin Bratt
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    37K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,093
    758
    • Director
      • Taylor Hackford
    • Writers
      • Ross Thomas
      • Jimmy Santiago Baca
      • Jeremy Iacone
    • Stars
      • Damian Chapa
      • Jesse Borrego
      • Benjamin Bratt
    • 159User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
    • 47Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:51
    Official Trailer

    Photos75

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    Top cast87

    Edit
    Damian Chapa
    Damian Chapa
    • Miklo
    Jesse Borrego
    Jesse Borrego
    • Cruz
    Benjamin Bratt
    Benjamin Bratt
    • Paco
    Enrique Castillo
    Enrique Castillo
    • Montana
    Victor Rivers
    Victor Rivers
    • Magic Mike
    Delroy Lindo
    Delroy Lindo
    • Bonafide
    Tom Towles
    Tom Towles
    • Red Ryder
    Carlos Carrasco
    Carlos Carrasco
    • Popeye
    Teddy Wilson
    Teddy Wilson
    • Wallace
    Raymond Cruz
    Raymond Cruz
    • Chuey
    Valente Rodriguez
    Valente Rodriguez
    • Frankie
    Lanny Flaherty
    Lanny Flaherty
    • Big Al
    Billy Bob Thornton
    Billy Bob Thornton
    • Lightning
    Geoffrey Rivas
    Geoffrey Rivas
    • Carlos
    Karmin Murcelo
    • Dolores
    Jenny Gago
    Jenny Gago
    • Lupe
    Noah Verduzco
    • Juanito
    Lupe Ontiveros
    Lupe Ontiveros
    • Carmen
    • Director
      • Taylor Hackford
    • Writers
      • Ross Thomas
      • Jimmy Santiago Baca
      • Jeremy Iacone
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews159

    7.936.7K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    8jhopp21

    Vatos Locos forever

    This is one of those most people saw by mistake, late one night on cable. I did too, and found myself talking about it for weeks. The only thing that keeps this movie from being rated higher is its length. At times it is too drawn out, but for the most part it is well acted, beautifully shot considering the settings, and tells a good story.

    I have yet to to find a person who doesn't fal in love with this movie.
    thefensk

    Mixed reviews

    I am quite often moved to comment when a movie has a wide range of good to bad reviews. This movie is a classic case. Several people called it the worst movie they had ever seen, or words to that effect. Is it? Hardly. It also isn't the best movie ever made. It is long, I'll grant the complaints about that, but one of the beauties of video is you don't have to watch it all at one time. Over-acted? I think that has to do with the genre.

    Okay, it isn't the best movie ever made. But I can sum up all of its shortcomings with one contraticting word. It is compelling. I can very much relate to the reviewer who mentioned getting hooked on it on tv in the middle of the night. It is a compelling movie in spite of its shortcomings. Even if it seems overacted, it is compelling because it seems so real in spite of the overacting.
    10wigz

    probably my favorite

    I've seen this movie about twenty times and would gladly watch it again anytime.Literally.Damian Chapa has been robbed of any real recognition for what I think is one of the best performances ever to be put on film.Miklo rules.I've never seen the extended laserdisc,but I'm sure it kicks even more ass. This movie will survive the test of time.
    felicia-blake

    Blood In Blood Out - Criminally under-rated!

    I first saw this film a few years ago when my brother stumbled across it in a bargain basement basket bin! What a travesty for a start that it had not made a bigger mark at the box office and had been consigned to a cheap basket! I'm sure if released with more fanfare this time it would reach the audience it deserves! It is a story of rival gangs, family, love, betrayal, loyalty, acceptance - every film cliché you could think of.

    It thoroughly explores the destiny of its 3 young stars as they struggle to make their way with the life path they have taken. I won't give away the plot as I believe anyway who truly loves films should see this film in its full glory with no knowledge of the plot or how the film eventually plays out.

    I have been reading the postings, and many negative comments have been made about this film, but I believe this film stands up to much of its unfair criticism.

    I will admit though, that I did squirm at some of Miklo's earlier expressions in the film, but a 3/4 of the way through he really picks up the baton and completely takes over. In fact, he is a revelation.

    There are some cheesy bits of dialogue, but I don't think this takes away from the piece in any way.

    It is a long film, but it needed to be. I don't think there are ANY scenes they could have done without - it is very effective, just the way it is.

    Anybody who has seen it and didn't like it first time round, I employ you to rent it/buy it again and give it another try.

    I purchased another copy of it again just a few days ago. I watched it yesterday and was still moved - as if it was the first time I saw it.

    Its definitely TOP TEN best film material! MUST SEE!
    10mikeadriano

    Terribly under-rated Epic

    It's an awesome epic worth your time and patience. Some viewers complain that this an American Me rip off and its way too long, yes there are similarities but it is told in a different manner, I thought the 190 minutes(Directors cut) flew by. There are numerous cheesy lines, racial stereotypes and the acting can be over the top, sometimes wooden but its what makes this epic work and enjoyable. A must watch for those who enjoy hood/barrio movies.

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    Related interests

    Orson Welles in Citizen Kane (1941)
    Epic
    Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams in Manchester by the Sea (2016)
    Tragedy
    Lee Norris and Ciara Moriarty in Zodiac (2007)
    True Crime
    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Damian Chapa, Benjamin Bratt and Jesse Borrego lived with real gang members in East Los Angeles for three months in order to help the actors develop the characters they were portraying and perfect their roles in the film.
    • Goofs
      Miklo had two parole hearings, supposedly several years apart, but all the members of the parole board are wearing the same outfits and sitting in the same places for both hearings.
    • Quotes

      Miklo Velka: Vatos Locos forever, ese!

    • Crazy credits
      During the end credits we see helicopter shots of Los Angeles. The movie ends with shots of the big tree (pina).
    • Alternate versions
      UK theatrical release was edited to secure a 18 rating and removed shots of a butterfly knife being twirled. For the video release further 21 sec. were removed. Director's cut runs ca. 10 min. longer.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Splitting Heirs/Sidekicks/Three of Hearts/Bound by Honor/The Night We Never Met (1993)
    • Soundtracks
      Como Un Perro
      Written by Severo Miron and Blanca Medel Calvez

      Performed by Chelo Silva

      Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment Mexico, S.A. DE C.V.

      By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

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    FAQ21

    • How long is Blood In, Blood Out?Powered by Alexa
    • What are the differences between the Theatrical Version and the Director's Cut?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 30, 1993 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Arabic
    • Also known as
      • Sangre por sangre
    • Filming locations
      • Folsom St & N Indiana St, Los Angeles, California, USA(El Pino)
    • Production companies
      • Hollywood Pictures
      • Touchwood Pacific Partners 1
      • Vato De Atole Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $35,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,496,583
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,002,548
      • May 2, 1993
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,496,583
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 3h(180 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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