Product Details

• Actors: Warren Beatty, Madonna, Al Pacino, Charlie Korsmo, Michael Donovan O'Donnell
• Directors: Warren Beatty
• Writers: Chester Gould, Jack Epps Jr., Jim Cash
• Producers: Art Linson, Barrie M. Osborne, Floyd Mutrux, Jim Van Wyck
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Touchstone / Disney
• VHS Release Date: April 21, 1994
• Run Time: 105 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (125 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301885732
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #172,511 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

A flawed but stylish adaptation of the Chester Gould comic strip by director Warren Beatty, who also stars in the title role. The minimalist plot involves a battalion of baddies who confront the intrepid detective in a series of strung-together vignettes. Al Pacino is a comedic if overblown standout as Big Boy Caprice, and Madonna simply smolders as aggressive blonde bombshell Breathless Mahoney. It matters not that the plot is Spartan, as this dazzling eye candy is much enhanced by Stephen Sondheim's songs, including the Academy Award-winning ditty, "Sooner or Later (I Always Get My Man)." Beatty took his cue from the source material and concentrated on the relationships between these people, whether strained, romantic, or hateful. The performances are subtle and more amusing than you would expect from such a visually bold picture. Shot in bright, primary colors, this also won Oscars for Best Art/Set Direction and Makeup (for those inventively hideous criminals). Watch for well-known names, such as Dustin Hoffman and Dick Van Dyke, in cameo appearances and supporting roles. --Rochelle O'Gorman

From The New Yorker

This isn't the kind of crass crowd-pleaser we've become accustomed to; its dullness is of the old-fashioned variety. Everything but the film's bold, striking comic-strip visual design (created by Richard Sylbert and photographed by Vittorio Storaro) is low-key. Warren Beatty directed and plays the title role. His performance is recessive almost to the point of perversity. In Chester Gould's comic strip, Dick Tracy always seemed like a tough, aggressive, no-nonsense guy; Beatty's Tracy is a ditherer. And his tentativeness as an actor here is matched by the dreamy, distracted quality of his direction. The picture has no drive; its style is less "Dick Tracy" than "Classics Illustrated." It's pleasant, lovingly detailed, and eye-filling. It's everything a movie can be except interesting. Some of the actors are fun to watch: Madonna, as Breathless Mahoney, vamps entertainingly; Glenne Headly does an expert spunky-gal turn as Tess Trueheart, the hero's long-suffering girlfriend; and Al Pacino, as a sleazy mobster named Big Boy Caprice, creates a memorable comic grotesque. Also with William Forsythe (Flattop), Dustin Hoffman (Mumbles), Mandy Patinkin (88 Keys), R. G. Armstrong (Pruneface), Paul Sorvino (Lips Manlis), Charlie Korsmo, Charles Durning, Estelle Parsons, Dick Van Dyke, and James Caan. The script is credited to Jim Cash and Jack Epps, Jr. (with the writer Bo Goldman listed as "special consultant"). Score by Danny Elfman; original songs by Stephen Sondheim. -Terrence Rafferty
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hey Warren, how about the Director's Cut?, June 19, 2005

By 

Brett M. Dunlap "JTHUNDER101" (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dick Tracy (DVD)

I have been a fan of this movie since it came out in 1990. I saw it in the theater, bought it on video tape and finally on DVD.

Imagine my surprise when I read Mr. Beatty was putting together a director's cut of this movie for a propose "Vista Series" release.

I read on various sites, including "Ain't It Cool," that 20-30 minutes would be added and the overall tone of the picture would be darker.

This was a couple of years ago and I haven't seen anything new on it.

I understand Mr. Beatty and Disney have gotten into some legal issues regarding who has rights over the film. I just hope they are resolved quickly and Mr. Beatty can get the Director's Cut out.

I love the first cut of the movie, but felt at times they were holding back on certain themes in order to bring in as many people as possible to make the picture profitable. If you look at the original comic, it was violent.

I loved Beatty as the honest cop, Madonna as the dame and Al Pacino as the ganster Big Boy. I also loved the fact they shot it in the basic color scheme of the comic.

The great things we are discovering with the DVD format is that now both the studios and the directors can have their cake and eat it too.

Studios can put out films at a length that can maximize ticket sales and directors can present their films as they intended on DVD for the people who want to see it.

I am really looking forward to the day we can see the director's cut of this film.

Disney and Mr. Beatty - DON'T KEEP US WAITING TOO MUCH LONGER!!!!!!!!!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well, not bad!, June 20, 2005

By 

Fruit Loop (Down South) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dick Tracy (DVD)

The script lives up to its subject, a cartoon strip, but fans of the old Dick Tracy won't be disappointed. Our old favorite characters are all there and the soundtrack, especially Madonna's sexy "Sooner or Later" is fabulous. The production values are great, with a definite comic book feel and appearance, and even if we didn't get all these great items to enjoy, there's the cameo and casting with some of Hollywood's brightest stars. Definitely worth adding to your DVD collection

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Movie with Amazing Picture and Sound Quality, September 1, 2002

By 

Michael Crane (Orland Park, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dick Tracy (DVD)

The DVD may not be fully loaded with extras or special features, but the outstanding picture and sound quality makes up for all of that..."Dick Tracy" is an incredible movie and can be enjoyed by everyone of all ages...Warren Beatty stars as Tracy; a tough detective who is determined to fight crime at any cost. One of the main bad guys he is trying to get off the streets for good is none other than Big Boy (Al Pacino). But Big Boy isn't going down without a fight, and is willing to put a stop to Tracy's career with his gang of colorful hoodlums... I really did enjoy this movie, and it is a classic. There are still elements of danger and suspence... The actors did a great job. Beatty is awesome as Tracy, but I have to say this; as always, it is Pacino who steals the show. He is so alive and colorful in this movie. Had it not been for his famous voice, you would've never known it was Al...Warren Beatty also directed the movie and did an awesome job at doing so. Everything about the movie was convincing and believable. Had this project been given to someone else, chances are that the results wouldn't had been as good.

This is a movie that you can watch with your kids, being that the rating of the movie is only PG. There is violence, but it is not graphic and is even really cartoonish at times. There is some sensuality in it...As I said, the DVD isn't loaded with any special features, but the crystal clear picture quality and phenominal sound makes up for it. The movie can be played in DTS, which sounds really fantastic...But the picture is the show stopper. The colorful and dark settings really stand out like never before. There is no way in the world that any VHS could do this movie the justice it deserves.

"Dick Tracy" is a great movie that continues to entertain people of all ages. Filled with action, suspence, and a lot of humor, this movie does not disappoint. If you have not seen the movie already, check it out as soon as you can.