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6.5/10
698
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An undercover DEA stationed in Mexico exposed large-scale marijuana trafficking, which led to his own murder and a high-profile investigation into government corruption.An undercover DEA stationed in Mexico exposed large-scale marijuana trafficking, which led to his own murder and a high-profile investigation into government corruption.An undercover DEA stationed in Mexico exposed large-scale marijuana trafficking, which led to his own murder and a high-profile investigation into government corruption.
- Won 1 Primetime Emmy
- 1 win & 2 nominations total
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First off, I must confess that I haven't actually seen this film for about 7 or 8 years, but I remember being really moved by it. This film is one of those that you feel really deeply for the characters, and when the clincher comes, it is as though it is actually happening in your life and the emotion you feel is just overwhelming. A really gripping film. If you like your "true stories" (trying not to sound morbid), this is for you.
This movie is brilliant- at least the way I saw it. NBC aired this movie on TV. It was 6hours and it ran over the course of 3 days. At the end of each part NBC reporter Tom Brokaw did a behind the scenes special talking to reporter Elaine Shannon who covered the story to the actual DEA agents portrayed in the movie to even showing Rafa Caro-Quintero's luxury prison cell.
I am so glad I taped it when it aired. The DVD is awful; so many and I mean many, many scenes, vital scenes are taken out. If I watched the DVD without watching the original TV movie I would have had so many questions. One would think the DVD would have all the extras and bonus features.
I am so glad I taped it when it aired. The DVD is awful; so many and I mean many, many scenes, vital scenes are taken out. If I watched the DVD without watching the original TV movie I would have had so many questions. One would think the DVD would have all the extras and bonus features.
Living so close to the border of Mexico, I saw that this film did an excellent job in demonstrating how corrupt the Mexican government really is. I highly recommend this film and really wish the full mini series would be released. It is very educational for today's youth.
A great film based on DEA agent, Enrique"Kiki" Camerena of Calexico California. Acclaimed director, Michael Mann of "Miami Vice", "Heat" and "The Insider" was Executive Producer of this 1991 Mini-series directed by Brian Gibson. It was the second most watched NBC mini-series of the year following "The Kennedys". Filmed on location in Spain, "Drug Wars" is a powerhouse film depicting the role of the DEA in Mexico in 1985 that led to the unveiling of drug corruption within the Mexican government. At the head of the investigation was agent Camerena, played by Steven Bauer along with Jaime Kurkendall,portrayed by Craig T. Nelson (wonderful performance by the way). Miguel Ferrer,Tony Plana, Elizabeth Pena and then 24 year old, Benicio Del Torro also star. A tight cast portray the investigation into the kidnapping, torture and cover up of Kiki Camarena. Based on Elaine Shannon's book and "Time" magazine article, "Desperados". This is a great film. The precursor to "Traffic".Great Film. I wish NBC would sell this film!
I have seen this mini series. I really liked because it portrayed very much realistically the characters, scenes, language, and real life. I used to live on the border with Mexico for many years and the movie shows exactly what the real life is....I been looking for this movie to buy it but i cant seem to get a hold of it...If any one knows where i can get it please e-mail me i really appreciate the info....
Did you know
- TriviaTen years after appearing in this mini-series, Steven Bauer, Benicio Del Toro, Miguel Ferrer, Eddie Velez, and Tomas Milian reunited in the similar themed movie Traffic (2000).
- Alternate versionsThe show originally aired as three episodes, running a total of 257 minutes sans commercial. For its VHS release, it was edited down to a single 130-minute feature. Thie edit was not endorsed by executive producer Michael Mann, and is notoriously bad, omitting whole characters and connective events, and leaving a threadbare story void of any narrative substance. In 2003, when Lions Gate released the show on DVD in North America, the 130-minute version was used, and it is now the most widely available version. The original 257-minute version divided up into its original three episodes, however, is available on DVD (albeit hard to find); it was released in Scandanavia by a now-defunct Finnish company called Atlantic Film.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1990)
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