To Live and Die in L.A.

To Live and Die in L.A. is an action/thriller movie released in 1985. It was directed by William Friedkin

Related Topics:
1985 - William Friedkin

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and starred William L. Petersen, Willem Dafoe, John Turturro and John Pankow. It is based on a novel by former Secret Service Agent Gerald Petievich.

Related Topics:
William L. Petersen - Willem Dafoe - John Turturro - John Pankow - Secret Service - Gerald Petievich

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After the film was released, Michael Mann would sue William Friedkin for plagiarism. He accused Friedkin for taking the concept of his television series Miami Vice. Mann would lose the lawsuit.

Related Topics:
Michael Mann - William Friedkin - Miami Vice

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Richard Chance, a hot-shot Federal Secret Service Agent (played by Petersen), begins a personal vendetta against Rick Masters, a master counterfeiter (played by Dafoe), who killed Chance's partner. Chance vows to his new partner (played by Pankow), that he'll do anything to avenge his old partner. His reckless vendetta leads him to commit blackmail, strong-arm convicts and even major robberies. His obsession becomes more important to him than the law that he is supposed to uphold.

Related Topics:
Petersen - Counterfeiter - Dafoe - Pankow - Vendetta

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The film is a fine example of modern film noir. The memorable soundtrack was done by the band Wang Chung.

Related Topics:
Film noir - Wang Chung

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The filmmakers themselves would be in trouble with the law during the course of the filming. Because William Friedkin insisted everything be portrayed with extreme accuracy, actual counterfeit bills were printed during film production.

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