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Nick Nolte, Eddie Murphy, Annette O'Toole, Frank McRae, James Remar ... see more see more... , David Patrick Kelly , Sonny Landham , Brion James , Kerry Sherman , Jonathan Banks , James Keane , Greta Blackburn , Margot Rose , Denise Crosby , Olivia Brown , Todd Allen , R.D. Call , Loyd Catlett , Luis Contreras , Bill Cross , Reid Cruickshanks , Nick Dimitri , B.G. Fisher , Gloria E. Gifford , Jim Haynie , Peter Jason , John Dennis Johnston , Tara King , Matt Landers , Jack Lightsy , Sandy Martin , Begonia Plaza , Clint Smith , Brenda Venus , Bennie E. Dobbins , Ned Dowd , Chris Mulkey , Jack Thibeau , Angela Louise Robinson , Clare Nono , Gary Pettinger , Ola Ray , Walter Scott , Jon St. Elwood , Rock Walker , W.T. Zacha , Judith Holstra , Bill Dearth

A variation on the "buddy-cop" hybridized genre, 48 HRS. greatly bolstered the career of Nick Nolte and made comedian Eddie Murphy a bonafide box-office sensation. When a pair of reckless cop-killers ... read more read more...break out of prison, grizzled detective Jack Cates (Nolte) is left no alternative but to spring fast-talking hustler Reggie Hammond (Murphy) from the penitentiary in order to find the criminals. The catch: the pair only have 48 hours to complete their assignment before Hammond must return to prison. Naturally, the two despise each other and even engage in fisticuffs, but eventually the danger facing them proves a strong enough common bond for them to play on the same team, and even achieve a little mutual admiration. ~ Jeremy Beday, Rovi

Flixster Users

62% liked it

72,187 ratings

Critics

95% liked it

37 critics

R, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Walter Hill

Release Date: December 8, 1982

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DVD Release Date: January 26, 1999

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Stats: 1,389 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,389)

  • FrizzDrop
    December 31, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    This is yet another formulaic action film from the overblown eighties, complete with naked broads, gunplay, and a maniacal killer. Much like other eighties films there's a deadline before everything blows up in the protagonist's face and someone dies. This is the first Eddie Murp... read morehy vehicle, made during his time on SNL and led to his impressive film career. Here a hostage situation leads to a craggy policeman going on a vendetta with the unneeded deaths of two police officers, and springing a convict from his cell for 48 hours to help catch the guys responsible. While Cates (Nick Nolte) is an irresponsible, violent, and corrugated kind of cop, he does abide by some rules. Though he continually tries to apprehend the criminals and get information he needs through illegal means he always comes close before being foiled by other policemen who don't know he's a cop. After finding out that a convicted criminal may hold the key to finding the place where money for a hostage will be exchanged, he springs Reggie Hammond (Eddie Murphy). The rest of the film is the two playing off one another while being shot at and running after bad guys in elaborate car chases throughout the city. Though there's a lot of great dialogue and social commentary in this film, Nolte and Murphy are not an appropiate pairing. Both are loose cannons, and though Reggie is more talk than anything, he still engages in dangerous situations and exhibits little to no fear. Cates also shows no fear, and bumbles through every encounter with a crook like a godlike entity that can ricochet bullets and kill off everyone in his way. They aren't tortured heroes and aren't especially interesting except for their feats of daring. I don't see any real character development besides Nolte being grumpy and Murphy being a smart ass. If there was more balance, or at least some backstory for Reggie this would feel like a much more comprehensive film. The action isn't very engaging and very little of this doesn't drag. Except for being a platform for Murphy's off the wall humor at times this has very little appeal.
  • kenstachnik
    April 13, 2011
    kenstachnik
    I feel REALLY late to the party on this one. Good, but nothing spectacular. To be fair this movie has been copied, parodied, and ripped-off so much it's hard for it so seem as fresh as I'm sure it was when it came out.
  • shawnewing92
    March 14, 2011
    shawnewing92
    A great action comedy film about a partnership between a cop and a convict as they try to bring down a cop killer. The combination between Murphy and Nolte is fantastic! The plot is solid and the action is in full supply. A film with lots of action, laughs, and great acting make ... read morethis film engaging and an enjoyment to watch.
  • ajv2688
    January 11, 2011
    ajv2688
    An average cop movie, it does have some funny scenes because of Murphy, but otherwise it's not that good.
  • ythelastman89
    July 6, 2010
    ythelastman89
    There's really no denying that this is a fun buddy cop movie. Actually, next to Lethal Weapon it's probably the best. The chemistry between Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy is natural and hilarious. Walter Hill also brings in his trademark cast including David Patrick Kelly and James ... read moreRemar. It has a great pace, a good enough story and is most importantly memorable.
  • allan913
    March 1, 2010
    allan913
    A awesomely entertaining action film that's powerful and wickedly funny. It proves action flicks can be serious and humorous all at the same time. A guilty pleasure in every way. Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy are fantastic, they got style, humor and toughness packed in with their ... read moredazzling chemistry. A head-bashing, barrels blazing tongue in cheek thriller. It's a totally fun roller coaster ride. One of the great classic buddy movies of the eighties.
  • 76Majikat
    February 16, 2010
    76Majikat
    Very typical of the 80?s style action films, over the top, difficult relationship breeds good relationship.
  • SirPant
    September 23, 2009
    SirPant
    Nick Nolte is such a mean bastard. Watch how violent he is in this. Those are real punches! Watch The Three fugitives as well, poor little Martin Short.
  • CloudStrife84
    February 19, 2009
    CloudStrife84
    Classic action-comedy, from a time when Eddie Murphy was still funny and Nick Nolte didn't look like a homeless alcoholic. I had been wanting to see this for who-knows-how-long, but for some reason never got around to it, as other movies kept taking priority. Anyway, now that I f... read moreinally have, I'm happy to say it did not disappoint. The action scenes may not be all that impressive by today's standards, and the bad guys are very one-dimensional, but what it does have is some great dialogue, and I can't say I was bored for a single second. So as far as buddy movies goes, this is pretty much as good as it gets.
  • kiriyamakazou
    November 14, 2008
    kiriyamakazou
    A cool black convict and an up tight slightly racist cop teaming up? Uh-oh. Some shit is going down. Funny, thrilling and enjoyable in equal moderation. Murphy and Nolte make a surprisingly great duo with some sparky dialogue between the two. Nolte plays it especially straight an... read mored Murphy doesn't go so overboard that he annoys. The action is fun in a dated 80's fashion but due to its age you are bound to have seen all this before. I applaud it for its fair and just ending, though Nolte does become a bit of a loose cannon at parts.

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Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel
June 6, 2009
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

Neither jokes nor fast, flashy action can completely distract audiences from the failure to establish an authentic, rather than a purely conventional connection between Nolte and Murphy. Full Review

Dave Kehr
March 1, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

All in all, a superior genre piece, if not the height of Hill's artistry. Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movie's story is nothing to write home about. It's pretty routine. What makes the movie special is how it's made. Nolte and Murphy are good, and their dialogue is good, too -- quirky and funny. Full Review

Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

[It] is more memorable for its characters than for its high style, more a series of energetic scenes than a collection of handsome imagery. It has life, ferocity and humor in place of icy, stylized el... Full Review

Walter Chaw
April 6, 2011
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

A genuinely tetchy, risky race comedy Full Review

John J. Puccio
February 17, 2011
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

It remains one of the better action-comedy buddy pictures you'll find. Full Review

Matthew Pejkovic
July 6, 2010
Matthew Pejkovic, Matt's Movie Reviews

One of the first buddy action movies, 48 Hrs. laid the ground work for the sub-genre that was at its best during the 1980's. Full Review

Clint Morris
October 26, 2008
Clint Morris, Moviehole

The perfect buddy-cop movie! Murphy and Nolte are awesome!

May 7, 2008
Film4

Fast-paced, frill-free action entertainment of the first order. Full Review

Ian Nathan
March 1, 2007
Ian Nathan, Empire Magazine

Although dated, there is a brute edginess to this popular slice of formula odd coupling. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Reggie Hammond: There's a new sheriff in town and his name is reggie hammond y'all be cool right on.
    • Reggie Hammond: I'm sorry about the doorman. Did that hurt? It looked real painful when you slammed into it.
    • Reggie Hammond: I'm your worst fucking nightmare, man! A nigger with a badge.
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48 HRS : Watch Free on TV

48 HRS Trivia

  • Eddie Murphy's screen debut as a con sprung from prison to help Nick Nolte, #1?  Answer »
  • Eddie Murphy tries to clear Nick Nolte of a murder charge & track down the real killer, #2?  Answer »
  • In Mr and Mrs smith ... how much time did they have to kill eachother??  Answer »
  • Name this movie!  Answer »
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