🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Simon Wincer
- Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller, Western
- Release year: 1991
- Runtime (length): 1h 38min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (24K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 23%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two dudes with iconic brand names rob a bank to save a dive bar, accidentally steal drugs, and then things get REALLY weird, like ‘bulletproof trench coat’ weird.
🍿 Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Reunion and the Bar’s Predicament
In a near-future Los Angeles, Harley Davidson, a motorcycle rider, returns to reconnect with his old friend, the Marlboro Man, a cowboy. They discover that their favorite hangout, the Rock N’ Roll Bar & Grille, is facing foreclosure due to a greedy bank’s exorbitant lease demands. The bank, led by Chance Wilder, intends to replace the bar with a skyscraper.

The Armored Car Robbery
To save the bar, Harley and Marlboro decide to rob the Great Trust Bank’s armored car. They successfully pull off the heist, but instead of money, they find themselves with bags full of ‘Crystal Dream,’ a highly addictive and dangerous designer drug.

Chased by Ruthless Assassins
The bank CEO, Chance Wilder, sends a team of ruthless assassins, led by the cold and calculating Alexander, to retrieve the drugs and eliminate Harley and Marlboro. The duo finds themselves constantly on the run, battling the seemingly invincible assassins in a series of action-packed encounters.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Harley Davidson (Mickey Rourke): A motorcycle-riding loner who returns to help his friend and gets caught up in a dangerous heist.
- Robert Lee ‘Marlboro Man’ Edison (Don Johnson): A skilled cowboy and Harley’s best friend who reluctantly joins the heist to save their favorite bar.
- Chance Wilder (Tom Sizemore): The ruthless and greedy bank CEO who is involved in drug dealing and seeks to recover his stolen merchandise.
- Alexander (Daniel Baldwin): The cold and efficient leader of Wilder’s security team, tasked with retrieving the stolen drugs at any cost.
- Virginia Slim (Chelsea Field): A police officer and Marlboro’s former lover, who provides inside information and a connection to the law.
- Jimmy Jiles (Giancarlo Esposito): A friend of Harley and Marlboro who helps them in the heist to save the bar.
- Old Man (Julius Harris): The owner of the Rock N’ Roll Bar & Grille, whose financial troubles spark the central conflict of the film.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Harley Davidson: “It’s better to be dead and cool, than alive and uncool.” – Harley’s personal philosophy, summing up his rebellious and carefree attitude towards life and death.
- Robert Lee ‘Marlboro Man’ Edison: “My daddy always told me, never wear two hats.” – Marlboro dispensing one of his daddy’s rules which is his down-to-earth wisdom about life.
- Robert Lee ‘Marlboro Man’ Edison: “My daddy always told me, when your word’s no good, they ain’t nothing you can do.” – Marlboro dispensing one of his daddy’s rules which is his down-to-earth wisdom about life.
- Robert Lee ‘Marlboro Man’ Edison: “I think I killed him using twelve dollars worth of bullets.” – Marlboro’s wry remark after an intense gunfight, highlighting the absurdity of the violence.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $23,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $7,434,726
- Worldwide Gross: $7,434,726
💥 Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, look, I won’t lie, this movie is cheesy, but I love it! The over-the-top action sequences, the ridiculous one-liners, and the sheer coolness of Mickey Rourke and Don Johnson make it a total blast from the past. I especially love the scene where they jump off the roof into the pool – so ridiculous, but so awesome. I think it’s a guilty pleasure to love.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of buddy action movies”
- “Viewers who appreciate 80s and 90s action films”
- “Those who enjoy motorcycle and Western themes”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence”
- “Drug use”
- “Strong language”
Professional Reviews
- Entertainment Weekly: “A garish, over-the-top action flick that feels more like a long, noisy commercial than a coherent movie. Rourke and Johnson have some chemistry, but it’s not enough to save this mess.
- The Washington Post: “Lacks originality. The actors give off a macho vibe and the plot is unrealistic. Overall, the movie is disappointing and hard to enjoy.
Audience Reactions
The chemistry between Rourke and Johnson is undeniable, making them a great buddy duo.: Viewers loved the cheesy action and the 90’s vibe, despite the flawed plot.
Overall Consensus: A flawed but entertaining action flick with memorable characters and a strong 90’s aesthetic that has since achieved cult status.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Mickey Rourke has stated in interviews that he took the role in this film purely for the money and that he felt like a ‘sell-out’ as a result.”
- “The film attempts to create a futuristic version of Burbank, California in 1996, showcasing a city controlled by large bank corporations and plagued by a new designer drug.”
🖥️ How to Watch Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man?
Currently, ‘Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man’ is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as offerings may change.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man, you might like these similar films:
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969): Shares the buddy-outlaw theme, with two charismatic leads on the run from the law and facing impossible odds.
- The Driver (1978): Features a similar cool, detached protagonist in a stylish crime setting, focusing on action and atmosphere over complex plot.
- Tango & Cash (1989): Another buddy cop action film from the same era, with over-the-top action sequences and a focus on the chemistry between the two leads.
- Smokin’ Aces (2006): Modern action crime film with a similar over-the-top style, ensemble cast, and dark humor.
- Repo Man (1984): Cult classic with a similar gritty, anti-establishment vibe and memorable characters operating outside the law.
🛒 Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man Related Products
- Harley-Davidson Men’s Classic Biker Jacket: A premium leather biker jacket inspired by Mickey Rourke’s look in the movie, featuring a classic design with the Harley-Davidson logo.
- Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (Blu-ray): Experience the cult classic in high definition with improved picture and sound quality.
🎧 Soundtrack
Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Crystal Dream is a fictional, highly addictive designer drug featured in the film. It’s the substance that Harley and Marlboro accidentally steal during their armored car robbery, leading to the conflict with the bank.
While not a direct remake, ‘Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man’ shares thematic similarities with ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,’ featuring a buddy duo who find themselves in trouble with the law and on the run.
The ending signifies the characters’ commitment to their individual paths and their continued embrace of freedom and adventure, while also ensuring their friends’ legacy by saving the bar.
🔥 Bonus Content
HARLEY DAVIDSON and the MARLBORO MAN FORGOTTEN TREASURES
Ever feel like some movies just don’t get the love they deserve? This video calls Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man a ‘forgotten treasure,’ and after watching, you might just agree. It’s a great reminder of why we loved this flick in the first place.
Harley Davidson/Marlboro Man – Rules for Pool
Remember that awesome pool scene from Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man? This video breaks down the rules in classic Marlboro Man style. It’s a quick and fun reminder of one of the coolest moments in the movie.
Harley Davidson and The Marlboro Man ORIGINAL MOVIE FXR “Real Deal” First Firing BLACK DEATH
Ever wonder about the iconic Harley from the movie? This video dives deep into the story of the ‘Black Death,’ revealing some crazy behind-the-scenes details about which bike was actually used. It’s way more interesting than you’d think!
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