Director Curtis Hanson captures the duality of 1950s Los Angeles in this striking film noir adaptation of James Ellroy's novel. The City of Angels might be sunny, inviting, and glamorous to the rest of the world, but it's also filled with corrupt cops, elegant hookers, murder cover-ups, and manipulative paparazzi, all of which are just the tip of the iceberg. It's impossible to know exactly who's trustworthy and who's not as three detectives (Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, and Guy Pearce) each use their own tactics to investigate a coffee-shop massacre.

The script by Hanson and Brian Helgeland maintains the fragile framework of human relationships developed in the novel, while 45 different shooting locations give the film a solidly unique tone and feeling of integrity, immersing the viewer in 1950s Los Angeles. The entire cast is first-rate, with compelling performances from Spacey, Crowe, Pearce, James Cromwell, Danny DeVito, Kim Basinger, and David Strathairn.

Theatrical release: September 19, 1997.

Filmed in and around Los Angeles and Hollywood, California.

Curtis Hanson and Brian Helgeland wrote seven drafts of the script before settling on the final version.

L.A. CONFIDENTIAL included 80 speaking parts and used 45 different locations.

Both Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce are Australian. Hanson specifically chose lesser known actors to play these roles while filling the role of James Vincennes, the celebrity cop, with a well-known star, Kevin Spacey.

Excerpt: "I admire you as a policeman, particularly your adherence to violence as a necessary adjunct to the job."--Capt. Dudley Smith (James Cromwell) to Bud White (Russell Crowe)

"There's blood on your shirt. Is that an integral part of your job?"--Lynn Bracken (Kim Basinger) to Bud White
"Yeah."--Bud White
"Do you enjoy it?"--Lynn Bracken
"When they deserve it."--Bud White
"Did they deserve it today?"--Lynn Bracken
"I'm not sure."--Bud White
"Off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush."--Sid Hudgens (Danny De Vito)

DVD Features:

Region 1
Snap Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 5.1 - French
Dolby Digital 5.1 - Music-Only Track
Additional Release Material:
Behind the Scenes Footage
Production Interviews - 1. Cast & Crew
Featurette - 1. OFF THE RECORD
2. PHOTO PITCH
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
2. TV Spots/Previews
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Interactive Tour - 1. THE L.A. OF L.A. CONFIDENTIAL
Text/Photo Galleries:
Production Notes

Kevin Spacey: American Actor
Russell Crowe: Australian Actor, GLADIATOR (2000)
Guy Pearce: Actor/"...Priscilla..."
Kim Basinger: American Actress
Danny DeVito: American Actor/Director, HOFFA (1992)
James Cromwell: American actor, BABE/L.A. CONFIDENTIAL
David Strathairn: American stage/film actor, GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK

Curtis Hanson: Director/Screenwriter

Arnon Milchan: Producer
Michael G. Nathanson: 
Curtis Hanson: Director/Screenwriter

Brian Helgeland: 
Curtis Hanson: Director/Screenwriter

Jerry Goldsmith: Film composer

Peter Honess: Editor

"...Savory color schemes provide a vibrant backdrop for L.A. Confidential....Spacey puts the pride in snide and is a joy to watch..." -- 3 1/2 out of 4 stars
"...L.A. Confidential brings the rancid thrill of corruption crackingly alive..."
"...Resplendently wicked L.A. CONFIDENTIAL is a tough, gorgeous, vastly entertaining throwback to the Hollywood that did things right..."
"...A dark, dangerous and intoxicating tale of big trouble in paradise, smartly done with the blackest possible humor..."
"...There are convincing characters here....Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce are two Australian actors who here move convincingly into starmaking roles..."
"[A] crime classic. Faithful in spirit to James Ellroy's grimy masterpiece....Irresistible but deadly."