Producer Robert H. Solo hired real gang members as guardians as well as actors. Two of them were shot during filming.
The original script by Richard Di Lello took place in Chicago and was more about drug dealing than gang members. Dennis Hopper ordered changes, so Michael Schiffer was hired and the setting was changed to Los Angeles and the focus of the story became more about the world of gang members.
Critics complained that the scene showing the funeral being disrupted by gang gunfire was unrealistic. According to the filmmakers, shortly after the scene wrapped, a church service a short distance away actually was disrupted by gang gunfire.
'Sean Penn' was arrested and spent close to a month in jail after hitting an extra on the set of this film who was taking snapshots of Penn without his permission.
Danny McGavin:
You don't wanna get laid, man. It leads to kissing and pretty soon you gotta talk to 'em.
Dr. Feelgood:
You ain't got nothing on me!
Danny McGavin:
I got handcuffs on you.
Bob Hodges:
[to his new partner] There's two bulls standing on top of a mountain. The younger one says to the older one: "Hey pop, let's say we run down there and fuck one of them cows". The older one says: "No son. Lets walk down and fuck 'em all".
Dr. Feelgood:
Hey man, these handcuffs are too tight.
Danny McGavin:
Well they ain't built for comfort, pal.
[speaking to a gang member]
other:
It's a cold world blood... No Mercy; ain't that what you write on the walls?
Bob Hodges:
Who are you?
Danny McGavin:
Rocky 6.
Bob Hodges:
You wanna look at pussy or learn about this job?
Danny McGavin:
Not yet.
Bob Hodges:
Not yet.
Frog:
[to the cops about the boy in the tree] I dunno about this younger generation...
Frog:
[TV version - after the boy got initiated] You screwed up now, man... You joined a gang.
Danny McGavin:
after being sternly lectured by his partner: Hey Hodges, Uncle Bob! I don't have a problem with you!
Bob Hodges:
yeah? you got a problem with the whole fuckin' world, and I'm in it.
Ron Delaney:
[trying to encourage Larry to leave the Crips] Hey Larry, you could make it out too.
Larry Sylvester:
How? Maybe I go to Hollywood. Be Eddie Murphy. Hey Frog, think America is ready to love two niggers at the same time?
Frog:
Ain't no turning back, homes.
Crew or equipment visible: The shadow of the camera mount can be seen on Hodges' car during the car chase scene.
Continuity: When Larry and Rocket are about to go one-on-one in a shoot-out, the car behind Larry is empty. When the firing starts, the car is full of people.
References
The Wooden Horse (1950)
Pakkuman (1980) (VG)
American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987)
- During the opening credits, there is a shot of a theater showing "American Ninja 2: The Confrontation".
Referenced in
CB4 (1993)
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003)
- referenced as part of the documentary