Mann Made From LA Takedown To Heat Part 1

An Interview With Director Michael Mann On Writing Heat, Reducing The Script For TV Movie LA Takedown and Then Making the Full Version.
Broadcast on 23 02 1997 Before A Showing Of LA Takedown

[@phantomlord54]

Visually and audibly arresting .. What absolutely makes Heat is how brilliantly Mann captures a moody LA at night, and, ah yes, that magical score from Mr. Goldenthal

[@neiltomlinson6261]

Can't believe that he didn't won an Oscar for Heat and at least didn't get nominated for Collateral and The Insider... he is an outstanding Director.

[@sebastianfitzptraick7395]

The Academy don't like him because he directs what he wants and doesn't schill to big studios. They were the same towards Kubrick and Hitchcock.

[@renzoqu]

collateral is an horrible movie... The insider its brilliant, and it was nominated for everything

[@5eurocups2005]

@@renzoqu "collateral is an horrible movie" why?

[@leonleon2276]

Only heat was worthy.

[@jokerfleckcast3196]

@@renzoqu moron. Collateral is a masterpiece

[@ultimatetreble5201]

I remember watching Heat in the cinemas in the 90s. Not only was the film amazing but I was absolutely blown away with the bank scene. You actually felt like you were on the streets. The echo of the shoot out was another level.

[@victorvictor8587]

It was Loud .

[@thekiddie73]

Exactly right, iam 48 now but at 21 in the Cinema, Blew me away, Thought it was Real. Been a Massive Michael Mann fan ever since. Heat is a Masterpiece!

[@entertainme7523]

you weren't even alive when it came out

[@ClarkeIllmatical]

Same. Saw the film in the theater and everyone was frozen during the bank scene … changed cinema

[@DMalltheway]

Remember that Michael Mann is the first director to bring Hannibal Lector to life with Manhunter, outstanding work.

[@laurentiumanolescu]

Love that movie,sad its hard to find the physical blu ray in Europe.

[@kennymccormick8295]

That doesn't mean anything.

[@DMalltheway]

@@kennymccormick8295 It does because it’s the best Hannibal movie

[@punished_gooner]

@@DMalltheway better than the silence of the lambs? please

[@DMalltheway]

@@punished_gooner Oh yes, better and more realistic than the Dracula type Silence. Go enjoy your twilight movies goon.

[@joseluisjimenezurtasun2382]

I love the LA Takedown appearance like 80's Miami Vice series

[@cybercrazymike]

whoa! Michael Mann is still one of my absolute favorite directors ever. Thanks for posting this...LA Takedown was a stylish, knock-your-socks-off TV movie and Heat was a solid, taut, big screen crime drama. Both represent Michael Mann's work at his best.

[@sebastianfitzptraick7395]

No one can do crime thrillers like Michael Mann, he's a genius of film making.

[@RockerWarrenMOViES]

Heat is defo in my top 10 movies of all time! Its so well written and the characters are acted to perfection! 10/10!

[@GavinBowler]

It's cool that Michael Mann and Walter Hill are friends, and Walter Hill directing Heat would have been interesting.

[@emanboogie]

this must be pre-the insider, because he is smoking...

[@MorphingCaesar2]

HEAT is a masterpiece and Michael Mann is a real artist and a GENIUS!

[@elzo_smid]

Excellent docu!!!

[@barryclarell5553]

Watching this makes you wonder how other great films might appear if they simply turned out to be the 'prototypes' for their finished version.

[@Godzilla52]

Heat is by far one of my favorite films and Mann one of my favorite directors, my only difficulty when looking at my favorite Mann films is choosing a favorite between Heat, Collateral, and the Insider. all three have incredible strengths to them and it's difficult to give one a complete edge over the other.

[@jeshkam]

How about Thief?

[@christinecallahan5512]

I do loved the actors in this movie, most of them, Alex McArthur......

[@actaccordingly100]

Heat is a masterpiece *in a league of its own

[@Barefoot67]

I agree, Heat is a masterpiece and LA Takedown is the best comedy ever made when you compare it to Heat...

[@LFL84]

@vova47 and Heat just gets better with time. It's not overloaded with plot but rather tone, atmosphere and character. Never tires that way! I think about Deniro's character often in that film. Same with Kilmer too. Pacino, everyone is at their zenith. the 11 minute shootout is a scene of such intensity and realism that it may never be duplicated.

[@vova47]

@LFL84 Agreed 100%. I am totally obsessed with "Heat" and just can't stop watching it. Perfect film!

[@rossdiamondthief6627]

Michael Mann John Carpenter William Friedkin Greatest film makers IMHO

[@rawpower12xu]

Scorsese, Coppola

[@christinecallahan5512]

This movie, " La Takedown " is so great..... much better than HEAT.........

[@Bryan8329]

You look at a show like "Breaking Bad" and it basically does for Albuquerque what Michael has done for L.A. with "Heat" and "Collateral", in that you are swept up in this environment that is as cinematic as anything you'll see on television but has the depth that it does have. Michael dabbled in this a little with "Luck", and it's something I surely hope he returns to as his method of storytelling is ready-made for modern cable programming.

[@Johnnysmithy24]

Message from the future: I totally agree

[@rossdiamondthief6627]

How is it that Michael Mann is not up there with Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese as the greatest directors of all time.

[@MacStoker]

same for john carpenter

[@ajossi]

Because he's better than them. If he was like them he'd be making silly blockbusters for money.

[@MacStoker]

@@curiositytax9360 I disagree with you

[@KAmos94]

Thanks for this, I'm doing a project on Michael Mann for my Film Studies course

[@daboogieman68]

Al stole the finger snap(:

[@Bryan8329]

Not sure if this has been brought up already, but it's quite obvious Michael's point about the limited format of television is quite mute now. The technology changed so much from the time of this interview to a few years later when widescreen televisions were becoming available and more networks were getting into HD

[@vova47]

@LFL84 My sentiments exactly! I am glad someone else feels the same way as I do about this timeless masterpiece.

[@LFL84]

@CribbTom I'm a film type as well and it's just opinion. You could equally find things wrong with The Good The Bad and The Ugly, any Antonioni film, Peckinpah, Kubrick etc. I understand when a movie is intrinsically flawed--but Heat is a seamless perfect experience of a Film and everything I'd want from a film. For example; Days Of Heaven is a fave but I know it's not for everyone. Same with McCabe and Mrs Miller. But Heat, like Apocalypse Now, for me, encompasses everything I love about Cinema.

[@rmjmoviereviews6876]

I'd love to see LA Takedown just to see what the LOW RENT version of Heat looked like.

[@timothywatts431]

It's like putting down an xbox and playing with an Atari

[@sonnyblack5253]

Where can i see it

[@rmjmoviereviews6876]

@@sonnyblack5253 I believe the full tv version is on KZbin.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

It was actually a tv pilot with a very low budget, that's why it's not as good as Heat. My friend was in it and he worked with Michael Mann a few times.

[@LFL84]

@CribbTom I don't know if you think Deniro's love interest was supposed to be Charlize Theron or Uma Thurman, but I thought she was perfect; a completely average, disenchanted, good girl who is the anchor he feels he needs. Pacino perfectly countered Deniro's, Mcqueen-esque quiet cool.

[@hermanpotato]

@CribbTom I love Heat and consider it one of my top 5 favorite movies but a side from Ashely Judd every women role seems to be miscast. Thou I don't feel that it took away from the movie in any significant way you still get the feeling that Neil(De Niro) is making bad decisions at the end because he has learned to allow himself to be emotional.

[@LFL84]

@CribbTom I went to a book reading of Robert Mckee's where he uses Goodfellas as an example of how narration ruins a movie. And I remember when Heat came out, the LA times ran it's review called 'Guns and Poses'. There are actually flawed films despite positive and negative appraisal, but Heat is perfection and will continue to age beautifully and receive it's reappraisal from those same critics. Yes it's not everyone's cup of tea, I'll give you that, but it is not flawed for what it is.

[@harshlight7]

God, the two actors in "LA Takedown" are right out of the bad community college drama class of your nightmares. They're committing the cardinal sin of every bad actor: playing a scene as hard and as fast as they can, instead of settling in and really allowing something genuine and unaffected to happen. It's a difficult thing to master because your ego gets in the way and screams at you, "Make us look good! Make us look like we're pretty and smart and deserve an Oscar!"

[@lhassall77]

Takedown is a TV movie made to a strict 90 minute running length, double the length of that scene and it would be almost 10% of the film! The pace of dialogue and pauses aren't so different in the clips they play. Heat pads out the story too much for my taste, I could have done without the daughter and De Niro love interest.

[@johndawhale3197]

Clearly you don't understand what acting is supposed to be. Cops and robbers in the 1980's were assertive motherf*ckers...the acting in L.A. Takedown is phenomenally accurate.

[@Barefoot67]

LA takedown is so funny when you compare it to Heat, its like a school play or something

[@tikitimeproductions]

anyone know where you can find LA takedown on dvd?

[@SomeBizarretaSomeBizzareLabel0]

love and devotion

[@uniquemoviecars]

We are the company who built all of the cars for the TV show LA TAKE DOWN if you go to are site you will see the cars.. unique movie cars las vegas com

[@LFL84]

@CribbTom sorry for the 3 replies now -but for example my favorite film of all time is the 1982 theatrical release of Bladerunner (w narration)--WHICH I can acknowledge is a flawed film despite it being a favorite. Heat is not in that category. I actually think Heat is a pretty perfect film.

[@thomas-dz6up]

Broadcasted 5 days before the North Hollywood Shootout that same year.

[@NightmareCourtPictures]

Smoking in the office like a b0ss

[@vincenthana541]

genious.

[@seanthomson9194]

Scott Plank’s performance as Vincent Hanna is better than Al Pacino’s. I was really surprised how good it was. It’s more believable and understated compared to Pacino’s.

[@LFL84]

@CribbTom and the fact you compared the ending of Heat with the ridiculous acting class like drama of LA Takedown is awesome. Your barometer of taste is back in the bargain bin of 1989!

[@LFL84]

@CribbTom well this is just a pissing contest by now. Haha. Opinions are varied. I think you might be too fixed in your script rules. I prefer Heat and that long, understated simmer that eventually boils over or doesn't. Some folks like it spelled out. You may prefer that Forrest Gump type of film where you see the sentiment coming from a mile away and the appropriate music cue to remind us. Heat to me and a few friends is our bible. A perfect Film and endlessly detailed. Nice debate though ;)

[@VegardMinde]

Movies like this tend to glorify the villains but in this case it covers two bases I don't think you'll find many senior police officers like the one portrayed by Al Pacino...

[@Zealot081]

That's Awesome. Apocalypse Now, Heat, and The Godfather? Both of you have extraordinary taste in film!

[@kennymccormick8295]

Such common picks lol.

[@LFL84]

@CribbTom I have not seen LA Takedown. It looks cheesy and that's strange since it's post Manhunter and Thief. Also, Pacino soon after Heat started his "HOOHA!!" phase, but in Heat it works. I just though after Thief, Manhunter, which are also favorites--but not perfect films, that Mann hit his Zenith with Heat. To me the detail in that Film,the tone and atmosphere, the mood, the performances--I believe it is his Godfather. Miami Vice, Ali, Public Enemies -now those are horribly flawed films!

[@LFL84]

@CribbTom Oh lord! Low budget is one thing; there are tons of low budget, no name, movies, that are amazing. Then there is that Jan Michael Vincent, Corey Haim, straight to video, aesthetic--which I was referring to. I watched scenes from LA Takedown and there was a reason it was remade. A good idea and premise was squandered on a sub-par, cheesy, poorly acted TV show. You are LA Takedown's lone champion. LOL! There is a reason we have never heard of this Film and most of it's cast.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

GFY, loser

[@Zealot081]

Hear, hear!

[@LFL84]

@CribbTom you're completely talking out of your ass. HEAT is a masterpiece and a perfect film. Deniro, Pacino, Val Kilmer etc. --there is not one weak link. Watch it again someday when you're in a better mood.

[@tinitoysinatra]

Where did U get this info from? It is awesome info! This seems and sounds and looks as HEAT's genesis...Where's the...Got it!

[@vfdbox]

amen

[@zevlibin8892]

had no idea LA Takedown existed till tonight....kinda regret finding out as it takes away from the originality of Heat, which is arguable the best movie ever made...takes away a lot actually. Damn :(

[@vishalgill9770]

that's bullshit. still original at its core because both were written by Michael Mann.

[@Johnnysmithy24]

It takes away nothing. It’s basically like how you hold a story in your mind for years, you do it and it doesn’t come out as good as you wanted, then years later you decide to do it again with better means to put out your real vision.

[@andrewnlarsen]

@@Johnnysmithy24 And also in a sense with LA takedown he is still in training mode. With Heat, its at the point where Michael Mann is ready to go for the grand slam.

[@cheapseats12]

How Mann had to make this as a TV Movie after two great crime classics with Thief and Manhunter is ridiculous. I guess in a way though he got to do a rough draft or demo cut before perfecting his masterpiece, but still shows how dumb Hollywood high ups are.

[@samiam7342]

he forgot to smoke his cigarette during the interview...............by the way - I loved la takedown..........I thought Scott plank was awesome as Vincent hanna!

[@Godzilla52]

Yeah i agree completely, Mann got screwed over with what he was given when he made L.A Takedown, he had to cut out a whole hour of the films story and settle for a small budget and lousy actors, i'd still say though for a TV movie he did a great job with what he was given, that said L.A Takedown still wasn't anything amazing in my opinion.

[@gc3k]

heat is bloated

[@LFL84]

@CribbTom the fact you are even mentioning HEAT with that cheesy, horribly shot and acted TV movie is enough--which looks like it was missing a few actors like maybe Corey Feldman and Chad Mcqueen. The youtube clips alone are painful. Your points are benign and so personally biased to your fixed opinions about script. Go look at the Netfilx reviews of HEAT. Every page is majority 5 stars.

[@victorvictor8587]

100 years from now We'll see this and Say, "This was Entertainment"? . Trash .

[@Johnnysmithy24]

I don’t say that about classic movies, so no. Film lovers know how to appreciate a movie regardless of when it was done. I look at today’s stuff and I say “this is entertainment? Trash”

[@rawpower12xu]

I doubt it.