Episode 138: Episode 138 - Heat (1995).

It’s become something of a recurring theme on The Film ‘89 Podcast of late where the film being discussed has been described as “one of the big ones”, a film of such significance to the hosts that it fills them with an almost dread anticipation that they might not do it justice. No film fits that bill more than the one being discussed on Episode 138, an episode that Neil and Skye have been teasing and putting off for the longest time. That film is Michael Mann’s epic tale of crime and obsession from 1995, starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro and an astonishing supporting cast, it is of course, Heat. An original idea of Mann’s and based on the real life exploits of former Chicago Detective, Chuck Adamson, and bank robber, Neil McCauley, Heat is a sprawling crime saga where character development is as important as any other aspect of of the story being told, whilst also featuring some of the most technically astounding action ever committed to film. Not only was it the film that brought together arguably the two greatest actors alive at the time, but it also showcased a director at the very top of his creative game. It’s been the guys’ intention to cover some of 1995’s best films this year for their 30th anniversary, and this is the second of three such episodes but there’s every chance that they’ll declare Heat not just the best film of that year, but one of the very best ever made.