Streets of Fire on the Action Addicts Podcast

I was happy to return for the Action Addicts Podcast to discuss the Walter Hill directed 1984 cult movie, Streets of Fire to coincide with its 40th anniversary, and I do love an anniversary! We discuss its production history, some of the fun stories around the shoot, creating the iconic soundtrack, as well as the film’s initial critical and commercial struggle, which nonetheless transformed into cult status, better appreciated overseas than in America itself.

In the story, star rock singer Ellen Aim (Diane Lane, Unfaithful, The Outsiders) is playing a show in her hometown when she is grabbed from the stage by local bike gang, The Bombers, led by the menacing Raven (Willem Dafoe, Platoon, back with Hill later in Dead For a Dollar). However, it’s not long before Tom Cody (Michael Paré, The Lincoln Lawyer, Eddie and the Cruisers), a tough ex-soldier and Ellen's ex-boyfriend, returns home to get her back; ready to take on the whole gang. The film also stars Amy Madigan (The Hunt, Gone Baby Gone), the late Bill Paxton (True Lies, Aliens) and a rare, asshole character from comedy great Rick Moranis (Spaceballs, Ghostbusters). Following Hill's more familiar work in hard-hitting fare like Southern Comfort and 48 Hours, this highly stylised “rock ‘n roll fable” has been reassessed in the years since its original release, and is now considered an 80’s cult gem.

This was fun and thanks for having me. You can listen to the podcast here.

Worth noting there is a nice 4K release from Shout Select (under Shout! Factory) but I’m also a big fan of the UK Blu-ray from Second Sight Films. It’s also widely available on digital platforms. Regardless of your preferences, it’s well worth a look.