Tougher Than Leather (1988)

Director:

Rick Rubin

Writers:

Ric Menello (writer)
Rick Rubin (writer)

Release Date:

16 September 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Music

Plot:

Legendary hip-hop group Run-D.M.C. stars in this cross between a blaxploitation film and a spaghetti western...

Plot Keywords:

Hip Hop | Rap Music | Independent Film

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Darryl McDaniels	...	Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels
Daniel Simmons	...	Prison Warden
Jason Mizell	...	Jason 'Jam Master Jay' Mizell
Joseph Simmons	...	Joseph 'Run' Simmons
Richard Edson	...	Bernie Carteez
George Godfrey	...	Nathan Burdette
Rick Rubin	...	Vic Ferrante
Ric Menello	...	Arthur Ratnor
Steven N. Williams	...	Vic's Bodyguard No. 2
Russell Simmons	...	Himself
Adam Yauch	...	Himself
Mike D	...	Himself
Adam Horovitz	...	Himself
Jenny Lumet	...	Pam
Raymond White	...	Raymond 'Runny Ray' Walker

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Def Pictures

Trivia:

Spike Lee was the first person offered to direct the film after Russell Simmons saw School Daze. Lee politely turned it down and wrote and directed Do the Right Thing instead.

Quotes:

Adrock: [to a male waiter] Excuse me, miss... you got crabs?
Mike D: Coffee gives me the runs.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Run-DMC: Together Forever - Greatest Hits 1983-2000 (2000) (V)

Entertaining rap musical action comedy. A fun time capsule.

This is a low budget action move set in the rap music industry, starring one of the most popular groups of the first wave of rap stars, Run-DMC. Though produced on a shoestring and rough around the edges, this fun little epic captures the style and period when rap music was king far better than slicker more hyped films like KRUSH GROOVE. The acting is a bit shaky at times, but Run, DMC, Jam Master Jay and the others project an impressive charisma. The entertaining story moves along at a fast clip, with our heros out to avenge the death of a beloved roadie at the hands of some slimy music industry sharks who have a sideline laundering drug money. Cameos by rap music heavyweights like The Beastie Boys, Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin and LL Cool J add to the amusement. Director/co-writer/co-star Rubin's father Mickey gives a nice performance as a mafia kingpin who is less than thrilled with his son's chosen profession. Co-writer Ric Menello went on to direct several classic music videos for The Beastie Boys and LL Cool J. All in all, not too shabby.