Product Details

• Actors: Daniel Valdez, Edward James Olmos, Charles Aidman, Tyne Daly, John Anderson
• Directors: Luis Valdez
• Writers: Luis Valdez
• Producers: Gordon Davidson, Kenneth Brecher, Peter Burrell, Phil Esparza, William P. Wingate
• Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Universal Studios
• VHS Release Date: January 1, 1998
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302113156
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #269,971 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This is a filmed play, rather than a stage piece reimagined for the movies, which is probably why the general audience never cozied up to this intense picture. But Zoot Suit has a couple of significant attractions. First, it's a landmark Latino work from the pre-indie period, directed by Luis Valdez, an important figure in Chicano theater. Valdez based his acclaimed play on the zoot-suit riots of 1940s Los Angeles, when a group of young Chicano men were railroaded into jail on a murder charge. The director later found a mainstream audience with his juicy rock & roll bio La Bamba, and perhaps a bigger budget might have garnered Zoot Suit the same kind of acceptance. Daniel Valdez, the director's brother, plays the hero and also composed the flavorful songs; but the big draw here is the sensational performance of Edward James Olmos. A brooding actor just beginning his screen career, Olmos plays a flamboyant, hectoring, all-seeing figure called El Pachuco--a Greek chorus with attitude to burn. The wild contours of the zoot suit fit Olmos as snugly as his white shirt and black tie from Miami Vice. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Chicano West Side Story -- entertaining and informative., January 9, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Franklin, Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zoot Suit [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Director Luis Valdez has done an outstanding job in bringing us this highly entertaining and informative picture of life in LA in the 1940's. The music, song, dance, and story in itself will make you cry, laugh and want to swing along with the film. Edward James Olmos demonstrates his many talents as he sings, dances, and plays El Pachuco, trying to convince the hero (Daniel Valdez) to use violence rather than intelligence to overcome prejudice by "Anglos" toward the Latin culture. Great theatrical props and settings along with an in-show audience makes you feel truly part of the whole production. Loved it!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Luis Valdez is the Mexican American Shakespeare!, March 18, 2005

By 

R. Bagula "Roger L. Bagula" (Lakeside, Ca United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zoot Suit (DVD)

This movie is California history
come to life.
It is a Mexican American story
told by the master.
Has has all the elements of a classic:
tragedy, love and good music!

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the real thing, May 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Zoot Suit [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I worked with la gangs and lived in that world for five years and the fatalism, the clear rules and the self destructive Edward Almos over soul is so true to, "the way". Its like through art they reveal reality. Its as if gang movies that try to be real end up being false, while this art "pretense" reveals the truth. If you want to get "it" watch this. Then watch American Me.