Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man [1991]

EMM# : 11235
Added: 2016-01-13

Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991)
When the going gets tough... the tough take the law into their own hands.

Rating: 6

Movie Details:

Genre: Action/Adventure (Crime| Drama| Thriller| Western)

Length: 1 h 38 min - 98 min

Video: 1920x1040 (23.976 Fps - 1 997 Kbps)

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The tough biker Harley and his no less tough cowboy friend Marlboro learn that an old friend of theirs will lose his bar, because a bank wants to build a new complex there and demands 2.5 million dollars for a new contract in advance. Harley and Marlboro decide to help him by robbing the corrupt bank. Unfortunately they rob the wrong safety transport and get hold of an amount of a new synthetic drug. Now they are targeted both by criminal bankers and killers of the drug mob. Written by

Plot Synopsis:
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In Texas, a man hears a news report about a new designer drug called Crystal Dream, highly addictive and administered by rubbing small amounts in the eyes. He leaves a woman he'd shacked up with and rides across the American Southwest region, staying on a route that runs parallel to the Mexican border. He arrives in Los Angeles and stops at a gas station convenience store to buy cigarettes. The store is being held up, but the man pays no attention and tries to buy his cigarettes anyway. When threatened by one of the robbers, he disarms and beats up he and his cohorts quite easily. When asked by the cashier what his name is, he replies "Harley Davidson" and leaves with one of the pistols used in the robbery, a Desert Eagle.

Harley goes to a bar where he happens on an intense pool game between his best friend, The Marlboro Man, and a hulking man. Marlboro's opponent is convinced that Marlboro cheated to win and a fight breaks out. Marlboro is able to beat the man and sarcastically thanks his old friend for not helping.

Harley and Marlboro go to their old haunt, the Rock N' Roll Bar & Grille, near Burbank. Harley finds out that the city of Burbank has been turned into a giant international airport. Inside, they find their old friends, still working at the bar and still running scams. Their biggest friend, Jack, works with Jimmy and takes falls in arm-wrestling matches to cheat contenders and bettors out of their money. Jack immediately starts a fight with Harley, who'd had an affair with Jack's then girlfriend, Lulu, now a singer in the bar and married to Jack. The bar is still run by the same man, whom everyone calls "Old Man", however, the bar has fallen on hard times and is being threatened with foreclosure by the Great Trust Bank, that wants to construct a skyscraper on the land. Jim tells them that Jack has been taking falls to raise enough money to save the bar for the Old Man. Harley and Marlboro both convince their old friends to rob an armored car belonging to Great Trust to get the funds to save the place.

The next day the guys set up an elaborate system of construction detours for the armored car, leading it to a mostly-secluded sidestreet, where they tie up the drivers and steal the sacks in the back. The load the sacks into a pickup truck waiting in the sewer line below the street. The guards warn them that they're in way over their heads. Just then a large limousine pulls up and several men dressed in black leather overcoats get out and begin firing on the robbers. They seem impervious to the shots fired back at them and continue a relentless assault, advancing steadily. Jack suddenly shows up, riding his own motorcycle; he removes the cap on the gas tank and jumps off, letting the cycle slide towards their attackers. He lights the line of fuel on fire, igniting the bike, however, the attackers simply jump over it and continue towards them. The gang manages to load the last of the loot into the truck and they escape. Later, while examining the bags they stole, they find small, clear blue bars instead of money; it is the illegal narcotic, Crystal Dream.

The leader of the team of assassins, Alexander, meets with the CEO of the Great Trust Bank, Chance Wilder. Wilder inquires about those who stole his merchandise. Alexander believes them to be small-time crooks who stumbled upon a big score. Wilder orders Alexander to track them down and kill them and retrieve the drugs.

That night, after flipping off a motorcycle cop and some reckless riding, Marlboro is pulled over. The cop turns out to be his former lover, Virginia. The two spend the night together and in the morning Marlboro finds out she's engaged. Harley shows up and takes Virginia out to breakfast. During their conversation, the subject of Crystal Dream comes up. Virginia tells Harley that it's 100% addictive and causes neurological damage and eventually death. When they return to Virginia's house, Marlboro is already up and repairing his boots with duct tape, fuming about Virginia's new marriage. He decides to steal her fiance's Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Harley and Marlboro go to the headquarters of the Great Trust and talk to Wilder via telephone. They demand $2.5 million for the dope they stole, plus one more dollar for a side bet between them. Wilder agrees to have someone meet them that night in the airplane graveyard for the exchange. Alexander shows up with the money and the transfer goes off without any problems. That night, while they hang out in the bar's back room celebrating, Marlboro is suspicious of the ease of the exchange. Suddenly, Alexander and his men show up. Watching through a one-way mirror, the Old Man tries to convince them that the gang isn't there. Their leader appears to walk away as if to leave and suddenly turns around and shoots the Old Man. They open fire on the room behind the mirror; Harley and Marlboro are the only ones who escape alive by jumping out the window; Jimmy, Jack and Jose are all killed.

The two retreat to the nearby airport and hide in the baggage compartment of a plane. One of the mysterious assassins nearly finds them but they escape to Las Vegas. They check into an expensive hotel. However, they are tracked to Vegas by Alexander. The two escape to the hotel's roof and jump off into the swimming pool. Harley finds out that they've been tracked with a device hidden in the dollar coin given to them by Alexander. The two hop a freight train headed east after deactivating the tracker, but Marlboro leaves after telling Harley that they owe it to the dead friends that helped them to go back to LA and settle things. Harley refuses to go and Marlboro jumps off train. Harley later catches up with Marlboro and they form a plan to meet with Alexander, reactivating the tracker in the coin.

Alexander traces them to the airplane graveyard, finding the briefcase that contained the money but only finding the dollar coin inside. However, he sights Harley and Marlboro nearby and a gunfight ensues. Marlboro is able to kill both of Alexander's two remaining men by hitting them in the head, however, Alexander catches Marlboro and holds him hostage. Harley, never a very good shot to begin with, tries to shoot Alexander and misses, hitting Marlboro. Harley finally summons up the aim to hit Alexander and he and Harley finally kill him.

Alexander's helicopter pilot takes them to Chance Wilder's office. They give Wilder his money back and demand he change the lease on the Old Man's place. Wilder is unwilling to do so and orders his men to kill them when the pilot, paid off by Harley and Marlboro, appears hovering in his chopper outside. He opens fire on the office with the chopper's cannon, killing Wilder's thugs. Wilder insults Marlboro's dead father; Marlboro begins to beat him up until Wilder dangles out the window of his office, holding onto Marlboro's disintegrating cowboy boot. Harley helps him out, the boot comes apart and Wilder falls to the street.

Marlboro and Harley part ways at a rodeo, where Marlboro is riding a bull. As Harley rides away, he picks up a beautiful hitchhiking woman.

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BummBumm (t-bird.cs@gmx.net) from Germany
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It's the kind of movie they don't make any more. Packed with testosterone and huge loads of male pride, Harley and Marlboro set out to kick some ass. I really love this movie because it shows like friendship between men works or at least how it is supposed to work. Even though the two main characters haven't met for years, they know where the other one is and when they come together again it's like they never were apart. They also help each other regardless if it will cost their live because in their mind "It's better to be dead and cool, than alive and uncool." (Harley Davidson) Of course this attitude brings them nothing but trouble but those two take it the macho-way and stand to whatever comes up. And for those who only think it's a modern macho western: "Back off!!" Take a closer look and you will see that there is a lot of soul and spirit hidden between the macho talking and behaviour.

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jpfive3 from Whitestone, NY
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This was a typical late 80's early 90's action flick....but its memorable for the title alone...just like all of these action movies THE PLOT IS EXTRA! the dialogue is head and shoulders above anything Stalone or Segal ever said...and the bickering between Johnson and Rourke is genuinely funny.... Above Average Action; Very Good Dialogue (for an action movie)

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billyweeds from New York City
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This is my ultimate guilty pleasure. All my critical faculties tell me it's a trashy action flick with no particular value. But critical faculties don't mean a thing when chemistry is as kinetic as that between Rourke and Johnson, who for my money have Newman and Redford beat by a mile in one of the best "buddy" teamings ever. Moreover, the movie is beautifully cast down the line and the pace is always great. Everything from the costuming of the lead characters to the atmosphere in the bar to the performances by Tom Sizemore and Daniel Baldwin are right on target. But mainly it's Johnson and Rourke's connection that makes the movie. They're terrific. I've seen this movie several times and it never loses me for an instant. Yeah!

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Lechuguilla from Dallas, Texas
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Two biking buddies team up to help a friend save his L.A. nightclub from an evil banker who wants to replace the beloved bar with an impersonal high-rise. The ensuing plot has the two bikers repeatedly confronting the banker's cold blooded, robotic henchmen, who make quite a fashion statement with their slicked-back hair, their blank faces, and their irritatingly hip, long black coats. The numerous confrontations between the two bikers and the thugs culminate in explosions, fights, and gunfire.

The story is standard Hollywood fluff, aimed at kids, young boys in particular. Except for the unique "airplane graveyard" setting, the plot is mostly a dud. Fortunately, the characterizations of the two leads rescue the film from banality.

Harley (Mickey Rourke) and Marlboro (Don Johnson), swagger, posture, and strut their macho stuff, as you would expect, for two bikers. They swear. They fight. And, of course, they follow the babes. Underneath the public toughness, however, are two nonconformists, and each has his own brand of insecurity. And, they have a conscience. They want to do the right thing. It is this textured characterization of Harley and Marlboro that makes the film worth watching, especially in the first twenty-five minutes, before the action plot interferes.

The is a working man's movie ... with all the gritty realism of urban street life. The film's first half features some good cinematography, sultry music and atmosphere, great production design, and costumes suitable for the most hip biker bar. The best approach to this film is to ignore the silly action plot, and focus instead on Harley and Marlboro, and their unorthodox outlook on life.

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spawn777 from Spokane, WA
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Good buddy movies don't have to have to seem real. The more far-fetched the better, And not many movies stretch as far as this one. The combined charisma of Rourke and Johnson make up for the questionable story. Tom Sizemore is a great villain, and Daniel Baldwin is not half bad as his cold blooded henchman. The other thing that stands out about this film is the futuristic feel to the movie. It was made in 1986 and the movie was supposed to take place in 1996, so it guesses as to what changes would be. It's another corny, but fun touch. Top that off with a gorgeous cameo from Tia Carrere and you have all the trappings of a great, cheeseball buddy-movie.

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xxxrokkstarrxxx from United States
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This is a great movie and a true 'cult classic'. Yes I realize it's a spin on Butch Cassidy but it's a good one and it works. Completely overboard action sequences, cheesy and campy humor galore.

I'm sick of people giving this movie a bad rating because the action isn't 'believable'. It isn't SUPPOSED to be believable. Is a movie about gigantic, talking, transforming, sentient robots doing battle with each other 'believable'? Give me a break that movie was one big long commercial.

If you're a fan of 'cult' flicks you will like this one. If you'll take the time to check out the profiles of the people leaving bad ratings, most of the bad ratings are coming from British people with awful taste and even worse teeth.

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James Spicer from United States
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Look, this movie is one of the most fun movies I've ever watched. Its not some heady uber intelligent movie for one to contemplate and discuss afterwards what the other possible motives might be in the characters. Its for quoting not discussing. Its a buddy movie, its fun and it was in my opinion well done by all with good performances from a majority of the cast. If its on i cant help but watch it if only to see a couple of the great quotes in it as well as the action. I hope Mickey doesn't truly feel like a sell out for this movie because it was in fact a very well done movie and something that was a great deal of fun for many people that were even already fans from as far back as 9.5 weeks.

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thinker1691 from USA
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It's not too far from anyone's life to believe there are friends, . . . and then there are Friends. This film illustrates the ladder. Two men, Harley Davidson and his partner the Marlboro Man, (Mickey Rourke & Don Johnson) reunite after a couple of year absence and discover their old life time mentor, (Julius Harris) is being evicted from a special nightclub. The club and its location has remained in the owner's hands for over thirty years. Therefore, unless, he can raise a couple of million dollars, he must vacate the property. With the help of other nightclub friends, they decide to raise the needed money by robbing the very bank which holds the mortgage. The bank job proves easy, however instead of bank money, the robbers learn they have stolen two million dollars of the latest, specialized but illegal drugs. The bank president assigns a special hit squad, led by 'Alexander' (Daniel Baldwin) to recover the drugs and dispose of the thieves. The film is very fast paced and there is no shortage of action, confrontation and physical violence. For anyone seeking a good old fashion, shoot-em-up gangster film, you are invited to this one.

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OCwriter from Newport Beach, CA
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This movie is a loose remake of Butch and Sundance. The jokes are funny as hell when you know the Newman/Redford classic. Many of the scenes, many of the lines, are directly taken from it. If you know that film, you will appreciate this one much more.

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Reel_entertainment from Camp Crystal Lake
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No big action stars here. Nor any super fantastic effects. Nope, it's just good, clean fun from start to finish. This is one of the reasons why 'Harley Davidson & The Marlboro Man' is one of my fav movies. The casting is fine & the movies moves along well. Not to mention a great soundtrack to go along with it. When Harley comes back to town & finds out his favorite bar/hangout is going to close due to not being able to renew the lease, de realizes he has to do something about it. Him & his buddies decide to get the money, but robbing an armored truck. But that's when all the problems begin. Great fun!

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Certifications:
Argentina:13 / Australia:M / Canada:13+ (Quebec) / Denmark:15 (2003) / Finland:K-16 / Germany:16 / Iceland:16 / New Zealand:R16 / Norway:15 / Portugal:M/12 / Spain:18 / Sweden:15 / UK:15 / USA:R