Product Description

Now, from the director of AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN and the producer of LA BAMBA comes BLOOD IN ... BLOOD OUT, a critically acclaimed modern-day epic. Within the rich and colorful Chicano culture of East Los Angeles, three cousins raised as brothers fiercely live by a generations-old tradition of family -- a power stronger than law, a force deeper than friendship. In one life-shattering moment, the trio is torn apart, forcing them to follow three separate paths: one searching for truth in the law, one expressing his passion through art, and one finding power in prison. Yet through it all, family and honor keep their lives intertwined as each strives for survival and power!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4584 in DVD
• Brand: BUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO
• Released on: 2000-06-13
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
• Formats: Color, Director's Cut, DVD, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 180 minutes

Amazon.com
Taylor Hackford (An Officer and a Gentleman) directed this 1993 epic about Chicano gang wars in the California prison system and the differing and tragic paths of three boyhood friends. Half-brothers Paco and Cruz grow up with their cousin Miklo in Chicano Los Angeles, and each in turn is influenced by their violent environment and the prevalence of drugs on their streets. Cruz becomes an artist but winds up tragically addicted to heroin, while Miklo serves time for murder and Paco becomes a cop, setting the stage for a confrontation between the two when Miklo is released from prison. The film strives for an epic feel but takes too long to set up its interweaving stories. It is notable, however, for some fine acting on the part of Benjamin Bratt and Damian Chiapa, as well as smaller roles by Billy Bob Thornton, Ving Rhames and Delroy Lindo. Its depictions of life in the California prison system are harrowing and powerful, and serve as the centerpiece of this urban drama. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews

A Real Depiction of the Chicano Culture & Lifestyle
We live in an entertainment society where the face of a minority tends to represent the face of a drug dealer or a gang member. Although that is a partial truth to a sad reality that many in our families face, this movie finally serves as a proper representation to people from other cultures and from other communities of life in the streets of East L.A. as a Chicano.

Paco Aguilar (Benjamin Bratt) shows the turn-arounds that many in our community have made for many years now, being able to change from a life of gangs and crime to becoming a figure of authority and respect. Cruz Candelaria (Jesse Borrego) shows how the gifts that are within our fellow brothers and sisters can be tarnished by the devils that are within the drugs that reside in our streets. And last but not least, Miklo Velka (Damian Chapa) shoes the struggles that many in people face from being of mestizo blood, which is true to members of mixed race from any background or ethnicity. His fight to belong leads him towards the world that exist in the confines of San Quentin.

Very few movies have given light to the true reality that exists in our beautful culture, and Blood In Blood Out is at the top of that list. I am somebody who has a little of Paco, Cruz, and Miklo within me. I don't care who you are, after watching this movie, you will know that you have a little bit of all three of them in you too. This is a great movie whether you are Chicano/Latino, Anglo, Asian, African-American, or any other race. This belongs in all movie collections of any culturally-concious movie goer, in any format.

Vatos Locos Forever
This movie has got to be one of the greatest chicano movies ever created. For those who enjoyed American Me, This movie blows that out of the water. The actors in this movie are really heartfelt. Throughout the whole movie your emotions are on a rollercoaster. The movie has some very devasting parts that break your heart, and some parts that keep you on the edge of your seat. The story of three chicano teens growing up, and how a couple decisions changed the paths of their lives. The only bad acting had to be Miklo, but the movie itself makes up for any flaws. This has to be added to any hispanics movie collection. If your not hispanic don't be discouraged, my best friend is white and he can quote every line in the movie. BUY this movie today. Before I go, does anyone know what's the deal with Benjamin Bratt on the back cover? He's holding a girl that is never shown in the movie. Bye

Vatos Locos Forever
Blood In Blood Out is one of the most epic and powerful movies i have ever seen. Besides a great cast of actors, this movie contains a strong storyline which emphasises the importance of family and brotherhood. The lives of the three main characters in the movie, Pako, Miklo and Cruz, are portrayed using violence, drugs and prison life to express the anguish and mistreatment of the chicano people. Blood In Blood Out is definately a must see movie.