Trailer

Zoot Suit

1981Movie1 h 43 minR

61
DecentGoodWatch score

A moving, nostalgic drama movie about history and society.

Good for friends night · teens · thought-provoking

Where to watch

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Not for laughs, warmth or comfort.

Movies with

Story

An American original.

Part fact and part fiction, Zoot Suit is the film version of Luis Valdez's critically acclaimed play, based on the actual Sleepy Lagoon murder case and the zoot suit riots of 1940s Los Angeles. Henry Reyna is the leader of a group of Mexican-Americans being sent to San Quentin without substantial evidence for the death of a man at Sleepy Lagoon. As part of the defense committee, Alice Bloomfield and George Shearer fight the blatant miscarriage of justice for the freedom of Henry and his friends.

Feels like

  • Zoot Suit Riots
  • Mexican-American Identity
  • Historical Drama
  • Social Justice
  • Political Commentary
  • Showbiz
  • Sleepy Lagoon Murder
  • Miscarriage of Justice
  • Meta-Narrative

Cast

Crew

Directed by
Luis Valdez
Written by
Luis Valdez

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

October 2, 1981 · 1 h 43 min · R

Released
October 2, 1981
Runtime
1 h 43 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Strong Language
Genres
Drama, Music
Original language
English
Also spoken
Spanish
Made in
United States
Box office
$3 million
Available in
13 countries

Tropes

Vanity License Plate, Make-Out Point, Kangaroo Court +9

  • Vanity License Plate
  • Make-Out Point
  • Kangaroo Court
  • Title Drop
  • Logo Joke
  • Based on a True Story
  • Call-Back
  • White Gangbangers
  • Rhymes on a Dime
  • Greek Chorus
  • Fan Disservice
  • Be Careful What You Wish For

12 of 19 tropes. From TV Tropes.