48 Hrs. poster

1982·96 min·Released

48 Hrs.

“One cop. One con. No mercy.”

Crime
Action
Comedy

A hard-nosed cop reluctantly teams up with a wise-cracking criminal temporarily paroled to him, in order to track down a killer.

6.7(1,735 votes)

Popularity5

Videos

48 Hrs. - Trailer

Cast & Crew

Nick Nolte

Nick Nolte

Jack Cates

Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy

Reggie Hammond

Annette O'Toole

Annette O'Toole

Elaine

Frank McRae

Frank McRae

Haden

James Remar

James Remar

Albert Ganz

David Patrick Kelly

David Patrick Kelly

Luther

Sonny Landham

Sonny Landham

Billy Bear

Brion James

Brion James

Ben Kehoe

Kerry Sherman

Kerry Sherman

Rosalie, Hostage Girl

Jonathan Banks

Jonathan Banks

Algren

James Keane

James Keane

Vanzant

Tara King

Tara King

Frizzy, Hotel Desk Clerk

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John Chard

Written on 4/22/2019

You switch from an armed robber to a pimp, you're all set. A hard as nails cop reluctantly teams up with a wise-cracking criminal temporarily paroled to him, in order to track down an escaped convict cop killer. The mismatched buddy buddy formula exploded onto the screen here in a ball of violence, profanity and pin sharp one liners. It also launched Eddie Murphy into 1980s stardom. Directed by Walter Hill and starring Nick Nolte alongside Murphy as part of an electrifying black and white double act, it's unrelenting in pace and bad attitude. It could have been so different though, with the likes of Stallone, Reynolds, Pryor and Hines attached at various times for lead parts, it now is written in folklore that Murphy got the break and grasped it with both hands (he was actually fired at one point mind!). Thankfully the problems behind the scenes were resolved to give us a classic of its type. A big success for Paramount it paved the way for more choice same formula pictures in the decade, but few were able to be so course and daring with the racial divide explosions. Murphy is outstanding, quick as an A.K. 47 in vocal delivery and with visual comedic ticks in full effect, he plays off of the also excellent gruff rough and tough Nolte superbly. Unsurprisingly the plot trajectory is simple enough, but such is the writing and performances (James Remar, Sonny Landham and David Patrick Kelly in support) it's one hell of a live wire ride from start to finish. In amongst the verbal and action carnage you find plenty of 80s pop culture, with a blunderbuss sound track and a score from James Horner that pings around the Los Angeles locales (he would rework it for Arnie starrer Commando in 1985). This points to a time where now it is perceived as being tactless and a relic, and yet it instils realism as it captures the zeitgeist of the era. So not one for the easily offended then, but for nostalgics and those interested in the expansion of the action comedy formula, then this is a must see that still delivers high octane entertainment. 8/10

JPV852

Written on 7/2/2021

Entertaining buddy action-comedy that features a good antagonistic relationship between Nolte and Murphy. The plot isn't the strongest but the action/fight scenes were alright. **3.25/5**

Andre Gonzales

Written on 8/21/2023

Back to the old school. Love this movie. This is when cop movies started to have some comedy in it.

Media

48 Hrs. (1982) Original Trailer [FHD]

48 Hrs. (1982) Original Trailer [FHD]

48 Hrs. - Trailer

48 Hrs. - Trailer