Beyond the Law
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| Beyond the Law | |
|---|---|
 "Beyond the Law" Artisan DVD Cover |
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| Directed by | Larry Ferguson |
| Produced by | Richard N. Gladstein Ronna B. Wallace Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr. John Fiedler Mark Tarlov |
| Written by | Larry Ferguson |
| Starring | Charlie Sheen Linda Fiorentino Michael Madsen Courtney B. Vance Leon Rippy |
| Music by | John D'Andrea Cory Lerios |
| Cinematography | Robert M. Stevens |
| Editing by | Don Brochu Robert C. Jones |
| Release date(s) | HBO, 1992 U.S. release |
| Running time | 108 min |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Beyond the Law is a 1992 film written and directed by Larry Ferguson.
Dan Saxon is an undercover cop who infiltrates a biker gang to arrest the men behind a drug-smuggling/arms-dealing operation. In order to maintain the trust of the gang's leader, he must commit ever more dangerous and heinous crimes. Just how far 'beyond the law' will Saxon go?
Contents |
[edit] Cast list
- Charlie Sheen – Daniel 'Dan' Saxon (AKA Sid)
- Linda Fiorentino – Renee Jason
- Michael Madsen – Blood
- Courtney B. Vance – Conroy Price
- Leon Rippy – Virgil (AKA Dildo)
- Rip Torn – Deputy Prescott
[edit] Plot
The film centers on Dan Saxon, a cop with a troubled childhood past. He is enlisted by Conroy Price, an agent in Arizona's State Attorney General's office, to go undercover to bust the illegal drugs and arms trafficking. Saxon is unsuccessful until he meets and befriends Virgil, a mechanic who introduces him to the seedy world of outlaw bikers. Virgil tutors Saxon on bikes and those who ride them. After many lessons and a major change in appearance Saxon develops an alter ego named Sid and ends up infiltrating the outlaw motorcycle brotherhood and earning the trust of Blood, the leader of the local biker gang. At the same time, he begins a relationship with a photojournalist, Renee Jason, who is aware of his dual life. As Saxon falls deeper into this world of crime, he becomes more imbalanced. Can Dan Saxon complete his assignment without losing his life or mind? Based on a true story.
[edit] Trivia
- This movie is based on a true story. According to the DVD insert, Larry Ferguson wrote the screenplay after reading an article on an undercover agent named Dan Black.
- Dan Black served as a technical advisor on the film and appeared as an extra in the movie.
- The movie is known as Fixing the Shadow in some foreign markets.
[edit] Goofs
- Crew or equipment visible: During the lovemaking sequence, a rather visible hand from off-camera can be seen reaching in and catching the lamp as Linda Fiorentino pulls it to the floor.
- Continuity errors: The motorcycle frame that Virgil and Dan Saxson build into a complete bike is a hard-tail frame but the finished motorcycle is a soft-tail.
- Revealing mistakes: During the group ride, one female companion of a biker flashes the camera, breaking the fourth wall.
- Revealing mistakes: When Sid rides his bike into the redneck bar's jukebox, it blows up before he hits it.
[edit] Cult Following
This film was a HBO release, but has attracted a cult following among those who have seen it. Officers who have worked undercover have said the movie is very accurate in its depiction of undercover operations. Also, those familiar with the outlaw motorcycle brotherhood have also said the movie is very accurate. This seems reasonable as the film is based on a true story. The fact that the DVD is often available in the "Under $5 DVD Value Bin" of retail chains also adds to the cult following. It is not uncommon for fans of the movie to "dumpster dive" the value bin and purchase every copy they find. In addition, some cult fans have adopted a philosophical view of the movie in that all of life's mysteries and answers lie within the film, sometimes hidden, sometimes not, in parables and metaphors. The skillful use of literary archetypes in this film no doubt contributes to this perception.
[edit] Themes
- Bogus Charlie's story of the Indian brave who loses his shadow foreshadows the movie's plot.
- The setting is the desert of the Southwest. Deserts often represent a trial of character. Many such examples are included throughout history, stories in the Bible are of particular note. The Tribes of Israel spent forty years in the desert to gain admission into the Promised Land. Jesus spent forty days in the desert and then faced temptations by the Devil. For a non-Biblical example, in The Grapes of Wrath, a drought begins the trials for the Joad family. Along these lines, the character of Dan Saxon is tried and purified by his time in a similar setting.
- Rain often symbolizes purification. When it rains at the conclusion of the movie, it signifies Dan Saxon's trial is complete. The Grapes of Wrath concludes in a similar way. With the connection to the birthing process (when the water breaks), rain often symbolizes rebirth.
- Dan Saxon removing his shirt, gloves, and necklace at the end of the film symbolizes him shedding his former self.
