# Band of the Hand

Band of the Hand is a 1986 American action crime neo noir thriller film directed by Paul Michael Glaser starring Stephen Lang, Leon Robinson, James Remar, Lauren Holly, and Laurence Fishburne.
The film's score was composed and performed by Michel Rubini and the title track was written and performed by Bob Dylan, backed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

## Plot

A group of five juvenile delinquents in their teens are doomed to be prosecuted as adults for their crimes unless they take part in a new and experimental "program" led by a Vietnam veteran Native American named "Indian Joe" Tegra (Stephen Lang). The five teens include two rival gang leaders, Ruben Pacheco (Michael Carmine), the leader of the Home Boys serving a three-year sentence for aggravated assault and armed robbery; Moss Roosevelt (Leon Robinson), the leader of the 27th Avenue Players, also serving a three-year sentence, for assault and armed robbery; Carlos Aragon (Danny Quinn), a drug trafficker serving a four-year sentence after being arrested in a police sting; James Lee "J.L." MacEwen (John Cameron Mitchell), the youngest and most violent of the teenagers, serving a 10-year sentence for manslaughter of his abusive and alcoholic father and various arson charges; and Dorcey Bridger (Al Shannon), a car thief serving three-plus years for auto theft and over 15 escape attempts from various juvenile halls.
Forced into the swamps, the teens must learn to survive in the dangerous swamp and how to work together. Upon completion of the program, the group leases a vacant house in a dangerous part of Miami and slowly rebuilds the neighborhood, kicking out the pimps, prostitutes and drug dealers. This offends the former illegal inhabitants of their house, all loyal customers of drug baron Cream (Laurence Fishburne). The conflict leads to armed fights, in which Joe is killed. The surviving members of the group take the fight directly to a drug manufacturing facility that is equipped with an M-134 Minigun.

## Cast

* Stephen Lang as Joe Tegra
* Michael Carmine as Ruben Julian Pacecho
* Lauren Holly as Nikki
* Leon Robinson as Moss Roosevelt
* John Cameron Mitchell as James Lee MacEwen
* Danny Quinn as Carlos Rene Aragon
* Al Shannon as Dorcey Jon Bridger
* Paul Calderon as Tito
* James Remar as Nestor
* Larry Fishburne as Cream

## Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 0%, based on eight reviews.
Critics have described the film as "a poor 1970s vigilante movie produced a decade too late." At the 1986 Stinkers Bad Movie Awards, the film was nominated for Worst Picture but lost to Howard the Duck.

## Soundtrack

Band of the Hand (soundtrack)
The Band of the Hand (1986) soundtrack is a collection of rock and synth-driven tracks that complement the film’s neo-noir, Miami-based setting. The album features contributions from notable artists, including Bob Dylan, Shriekback, and Andy Summers it was released in 1986 by MCA Records, coinciding with the film’s theatrical debut. The album was distributed on vinyl and cassette.
The title track, "Band of the Hand (It’s Hell Time Man!)", performed by Bob Dylan, serves as the film's theme song, characterized by its gritty, rebellious tone. Other notable tracks include "Faded Flowers" by Shriekback, which adds an atmospheric quality, and "Carry Me Back Home" by Andy Summers, offering a more melodic and reflective moment.
Rick Shaffer and Bruce Cohen of The Reds contribute multiple tracks, including "Turn It On," "Hold On," "Mission," and "Boar Chase," blending rock energy with cinematic tension. The soundtrack also features "All Come Together Again" by Tiger Tiger, incorporating new wave influences, and "Theme From Joe’s Death" by Michel Rubini, an emotional instrumental piece.
Despite the film’s mixed critical reception, the soundtrack remains a defining aspect of Band of the Hand, encapsulating the distinctive sound of 1980s rock and synth music.\
Track Listing
* Bob Dylan – Band of the Hand (It’s Hell Time Man!)
* Shriekback – Faded Flowers
* Andy Summers – Carry Me Back Home
* The Reds – Turn It On
* The Reds – Hold On
* The Reds – Mission
* The Reds – Boar Chase
* Tiger Tiger – All Come Together Again
* Michel Rubini – Theme From Joe’s Death
While it did not achieve mainstream commercial success, the album remains a cult favorite among fans of 1980s film soundtracks.