BAND OF THE HAND (1986)
“Band of the Hand,” a 1986 action-crime thriller directed by Paul Michael Glaser and produced by Michael Mann, blends gritty urban drama with a coming-of-age tale. The film follows five juvenile delinquents—Ruben (Michael Carmine), Moss (Leon Robinson), J.L. (John Cameron Mitchell), Carlos (Danny Quinn), and Dorcey (Al Shannon)—facing adult prosecution unless they join an experimental rehabilitation program. Led by Joe Tegra (Stephen Lang), a Native American Vietnam vet, they’re sent to the Florida Everglades for survival training, transforming from rival gang members into a tight-knit unit.
After succeeding in the wilderness, the group returns to Miami’s slums, taking over a rundown house and evicting its drug-addicted squatters. This pits them against Cream (Laurence Fishburne), a local dealer, and his ruthless boss, Nestor (James Remar), who controls the neighborhood’s drug trade. The stakes escalate when Nestor kidnaps Nikki (Lauren Holly), Carlos’ girlfriend, prompting the teens to apply their new skills in a vigilante-style war. Armed with makeshift weapons and Joe’s guidance, they launch an explosive assault on Nestor’s fortified mansion, culminating in a chaotic shootout. Nikki kills Nestor, and the group escapes as the drug operation burns, cementing their bond as the “Band of the Hand.”
With a pulsing Bob Dylan title track backed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the film oozes ’80s Miami Vice flair—neon-lit streets, synth-heavy vibes, and over-the-top action. Though criticized as a dated vigilante flick, it showcases early roles for future stars like Fishburne and Holly. Its mix of redemption, teamwork, and raw violence divides audiences: some see it as a campy cult gem, others a muddled mess. Still, “Band of the Hand” remains a wild snapshot of ’80s excess, blending social commentary with B-movie thrills.
