Product Details

• Actors: Stephen Lang, Michael Carmine (II), Lauren Holly, John Cameron Mitchell, Danny Quinn
• Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home E
• VHS Release Date: October 23, 1986
• Run Time: 109 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302824710
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,500 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Band of the Hand was executive-produced by Miami Vice creator Michael Mann, but this violent relic of the '80s begs for a smarter script and Mann's directorial flair. Instead it's got TV's "Starsky"--Paul Michael Glaser--seemingly asleep at the wheel, barely controlling a rainbow coalition of bad actors as punky Florida jailbirds, given a second chance when they're dropped into the treacherous everglades and whipped into a crack unit of urban warriors by a gruff marine (Stephen Lang) who supervises their juvenile "reform." One of the reluctant recruits has a girlfriend (fresh-faced newcomer Lauren Holly) who's tied up with local drug lords (Larry Fishburne, James Remar), and the inevitable showdown offers guerilla warfare in pastel shades. Wretched dialogue and lackluster action don't stop this from being a Vice-like guilty pleasure, populated by garishly costumed stereotypes and ending like the pilot for a TV series that never happened. Even the DVD liner notes admit the movie is "infamous"; accepted on those terms, it's a hoot. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best 80's Movies, February 16, 2000

By 

"montapena" (Richton Park, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Band of the Hand [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This movie was great. I laughed all the way through it. The acting was passionate and heartfelt, not to mention the awesome soundtrack! I love to watch this movie! If anyone should know how I can get a CD Version of the soundtrack, please e mail me. The actor who playes Nestor, James Remar, is great! Where has he been since? He was wonderful in Miami Vice also.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally!, February 16, 2003

By 

Chris Letempt (Marietta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Band of the Hand (DVD)

This is a great movie. At the time, Miami Vice was king (still is to me)and this has the same flavor, just with a coming of age storyline. The charachters are kind of like a group from the Magnificent Seven and the Dirty Dozen combined. All in all, a fun action movie with some good messages just under the surface. Biggest thing about this movie is the incredible soundtrack! Used to have the tape, and would kill for a cd.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure 80's goodness!, May 17, 2003

By 

Jonathan Helig (Panama City beach, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Band of the Hand (DVD)

So long.....I have waited so long for this movie to be released on DVD. Last year, I was forced to buy a well used and badly warn VHS copy on Ebay. Forced, you say? Yes, Forced. This movie is goodness. That's all there is to it. I saw it on cable when I was a kid and it quickly became one of my favorite movies of all time.
Please, do yourself a favor and buy this movie. As some people have said above, they really do not make them like this anymore. It's got that special something that modern movies lack...and I'm not just saying that because I'm older now, and that's what older people are supposed to say about things from their chldhood. It's a fact. My praises cannot do this movie justice. You have to watch it to understand. Band of the Hand is hidden and forgotten treasure. Those who call it corny, or say the acting is "bad" simply do not get it. I get it, and I hope you do too.