Band of the Hand (1986)

14% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(2,571 ratings)

Former Starsky and Hutch star Paul Michael Glaser warmed the director's chair for Band of the Hand. The film zeroes in on five juvenile delinquents who are plucked from their various detention facilities and unceremoniously dumped in the wilds of the Everglades. The boys begin to panic until… More Former Starsky and Hutch star Paul Michael Glaser warmed the director's chair for Band of the Hand. The film zeroes in on five juvenile delinquents who are plucked from their various detention facilities and unceremoniously dumped in the wilds of the Everglades. The boys begin to panic until hardcase Vietnam veteran Stephen Lang arrives. Lang explains that they've been paroled in his custody, and that it is his task to teach them how to work as a team in order to survive. The logic of this plan is to whip the boys into an elite vigilante unit, then sic them on the various drug dealers of America. The film features early performances by Lauren Holly and Larry Fishburne and Bob Dylan can be heard singing the title song. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: Paul Michael Glaser
Written By: Jack Baran, Leo Garen
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Apr 11, 1986 Wide
On DVD: Jan 28, 2003

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
It plays like a TV pilot filled out with a few cusswords and strokes of excess violence.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Dullsville
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
If you somehow remember this one with some fondness, do yourself a favor and never see it again.
Gil Jawetz, DVDTalk.com
It's the closest any film of the era comes to predicting the mission-based Miami world of the recent video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Steve K

The film that made me forever think of James Remar as a bad guy. Miami Vice era cheese.

Cast

            Stephen Lang as Joe

            Michael Carmine as Ruben

            Lauren Holly as Nikki

            John Cameron Mitchell as J.L.

            Daniele Quinn as Carlos

            James Remar as Nestor

            Leon as Moss

            Al Shannon as Dorcey

            Danton Stone as Aldo

            Paul Calderon as Tito

            Laurence Fishburne as Cream

            Tony Bolano as Felix

            Julian Byrd as J.L.'s Father

            Dan Fitzgerald as cop

            Frank Gilbert as Antione

            Gerrit Graham
            
            Michael Gregory as Van Guard

            Erla Julmiste as Celeste

            Deborah King as Yvette

            Joe Petrullo as Narc

            Bill Smitrovich as Chavez

            Christopher Berry as Moss' Clipboard Guard

            D. Blakely as Guard

            Matt Buther as Cop

            Carl Cofield as 27th Avenue Player

            Colman as Helicopter Pilot

            Antoni Corone as Narc

            Roy Datz as Rene

            T.R. Durphy as Drug Dealer

            Eddie Edenfield as Counselor #1

            James Eros as Hakim

            Peter Fournier as Ruben's Clipboard Guard

            Allyson Garret as J.L.'s Sister

            Sandy Mielke as Reception Guard

            Joan Murphy as J.L.'s Mother

            Nelson Orames as Officer

            Jimi Ruccolo as Diablo

            Luis Valderrama as Chooch

            Jim Zubiena as Officer

            Pat McCorkle
            
See full cast