Bound by Honor (1993)
Taylor Hackford's sweeping crime epic traces three Chicano cousins torn apart by gang life, prison, addiction, and betrayal across more than a decade in East Los Angeles.
Bound by Honor - Movie Information
- Original Title: Bound by Honor
- Release Year: 1993
- Directed by: Taylor Hackford
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Action, Drama, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 3h 0m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Spanish, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 30, 1993 (United States - R), September 24, 1993 (United Kingdom), May 27, 1993 (Germany - 16), August 25, 1993 (France - 16), May 6, 1993 (Mexico - C)
- Alternative Titles: Samaa verta (FI), Věc cti (CZ), Les Princes de la Ville (FR), Blood In, Blood Out - Verschworen auf Leben und Tod (DE), Sangre por sangre (AR), ブラッド・イン ブラッド・アウト (JP), Blood In, Blood Out (SE), Blood In, Blood Out (US)
- Production Companies: Hollywood Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Bound by Honor - Plot
Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on half-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo. It opens in 1972, as the three are members of an East L.A. gang known as the "Vatos Locos", and the story focuses on how a violent crime and the influence of narcotics alter their lives. Miklo is incarcerated and sent to San Quentin, where he makes a "home" for himself. Cruz becomes an exceptional artist, but a heroin addiction overcomes him with tragic results. Paco becomes a cop and an enemy to his "carnal", Miklo.
Bound by Honor - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the epic story unfold:
An epic story of three brothers. Bound by blood. Divided by fate. Driven by destiny.
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Bound by Honor - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Taylor Hackford
Main Cast
- Damian Chapa
- Jesse Borrego
- Benjamin Bratt
- Enrique Castillo
- Victor Rivers
- Delroy Lindo
- Tom Towles
- Carlos Carrasco
- Teddy Wilson
- Raymond Cruz
Writers
- Floyd Mutrux
- Ross Thomas
- Jimmy Santiago Baca
- Jeremy Iacone
Producers
- Jerry Gershwin
- Taylor Hackford
Bound by Honor - FAQs
Is Bound by Honor based on a true story?
Yes. Bound by Honor is inspired by the real-life experiences of Chicano poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, who co-wrote the screenplay. The film dramatizes the lives of young men in East Los Angeles, drawing on Baca's own struggles with gang involvement, incarceration, and personal transformation during the 1970s and 1980s.
Where can you stream Bound by Honor?
Bound by Honor is available to stream, rent, or purchase on various platforms in the United States. You can check current availability across all streaming services, including any subscription, rental, or purchase options, by visiting JustWatch for a full regional breakdown.
What is Bound by Honor about?
Bound by Honor follows three young Chicano men — half-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo — whose lives diverge dramatically after a violent crime in 1972 East Los Angeles. One ends up in San Quentin, one battles heroin addiction, and one becomes a police officer, pitting them against each other.
Who are the main actors in Bound by Honor?
The film stars Damian Chapa as Miklo, Jesse Borrego as Cruz, and Benjamin Bratt as Paco. The supporting cast includes Enrique Castillo, Victor Rivers, Delroy Lindo, Tom Towles, Carlos Carrasco, Teddy Wilson, and Raymond Cruz. Billy Bob Thornton also appears in a supporting role.
How long is Bound by Honor?
Bound by Honor has a runtime of 180 minutes — exactly three hours. Its extended length allows the film to trace the diverging paths of its three central characters across more than a decade, giving the story an epic, novelistic scope rarely seen in American crime dramas of the era.
What is the age rating for Bound by Honor?
Bound by Honor is rated R in the United States. The rating reflects the film's graphic depictions of gang violence, drug use, strong language, and mature thematic content involving prison life and racial conflict. It is intended for adult audiences and is not suitable for younger viewers.
Who directed Bound by Honor?
Bound by Honor was directed by Taylor Hackford, known for his work on An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) and Ray (2004). Hackford brought a sweeping, character-driven approach to the material, collaborating closely with poet and co-writer Jimmy Santiago Baca to ground the story in authentic Chicano experience.
What are some movies similar to Bound by Honor?
Viewers who enjoyed Bound by Honor may also appreciate American Me (1992), a similarly intense look at Chicano gang culture, as well as My Family (1995), Sin Nombre (2009), Sleepers (1996), and Heat (1995). These films share themes of loyalty, crime, identity, and the long consequences of youthful choices.
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