Blood In, Blood Out - 1993

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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.


Director:
Taylor Hackford
Writers:
Ross Thomas (story), Jimmy Santiago Baca (screenplay)
Stars:
Damian Chapa, Jesse Borrego and Benjamin Bratt

I've seen this movie a couple of times and its got its good points and its bad. It's an interesting story, though generally, it perpetuates the "East L.A. gang member" stereotype. I think that was the most compelling idea out of the movie because that sort of thing happens quite often.

The meanings of home and family; hard but honest work versus a life of crime; the fickle consequences of youthful foolishness, striking down some while letting others pass; unfulfilled hopes, and other hopes fulfilled in unexpected ways; a family torn apart by tragedy with only time to heal the wound; the struggle to right one's ship; generational gaps bridged only by maturity that comes in the wake of mistakes;

Very few movies have given light to the true reality that exists in our beautful culture, and Blood In Blood Out is at the top of that list. I am somebody who has a little of Paco, Cruz, and Miklo within me. I don't care who you are, after watching this movie, you will know that you have a little bit of all three of them in you too. This is a great movie whether you are Chicano/Latino, Anglo, Asian, African-American, or any other race. This belongs in all movie collections of any culturally-concious movie goer, in any format.

New movie for me. Never watched this movie before. But i guess it's a good and entertaining movie to watch after reading all these positive comments. Thank you for sharing this movie in this forum friend.

i have watch this movie two or three times.the action was really amazing.thanks for sharing about this movies.i hope you guys have also seen this movie.

Well I have heard of it so much but couldn't get a single chance to watch it. But it really sounds so cool. Well thank you so much for sharing that interesting thread with us in this forum.

I enjoy "American Me" more as a movie depiction of prison gangs. But "Blood In Blood Out", is far superior in pure entertainment value, in my opinion. I have watched it (all 3 plus hours) many times and I have never gotten tired of it. It is the kind of movie that sucks you in and is hard to press STOP once it gets going.