Hammett
“He created "The Maltese Falcon," "Sam Spade" and "The Thin Man." But he didn't write this mystery thriller...he lived it.”
Synopsis
Chinatown, San Francisco, 1928. Former private detective Dashiell Hammett, a compulsive drinker with tuberculosis who writes pulp fiction for a living, receives an unexpected visit from an old friend asking for help.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
"Hammett" (1982) Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2013-06-18
Top Cast
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Frederic Forrest
Hammett
Peter Boyle
Jimmy Ryan
Marilu Henner
Kit Conger / Sue Alabama
Roy Kinnear
English Eddie Hagedorn
Lydia Lei
Crystal Ling
Elisha Cook Jr.
Eli the Taxi Driver
David Patrick Kelly
The Punk
R.G. Armstrong
Lt. O'Mara
Richard Bradford
Detective Bradford
Jack Nance
Gary Salt
Michael Chow
Fong Wei Tau
Sylvia Sidney
Donaldina Cameron
Elmer Kline
Doc Fallon
Royal Dano
Pops
Samuel Fuller
Old Man in Pool Hall
Lloyd Kino
Barber
Fox Harris
Frank the News Vendor
Rose Wong
Chinese Laundress
Release History & Theatrical Window
Toronto International Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
September 17, 1982
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Wim Wenders
- Screenplay & Story
- Dennis O'Flaherty, Ross Thomas
- Original Score
- John Barry
- Original Title
- Hammett
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- Cantonese, English
- Runtime
- 1h 38m
- Production Studios
- American Zoetrope
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Wim Wenders
Dennis O'Flaherty, Ross Thomas, Joe Gores, Thomas Pope
John Barry
Joseph F. Biroc, Philip H. Lathrop
Marc Laub, Randy Roberts, Robert Q. Lovett
Fred Roos, Ronald Colby, Francis Ford Coppola, Don Guest
Department Leadership Roster
Wim Wenders
Director
Marc Laub
Editor
Randy Roberts
Editor
Fred Roos
Producer
Ronald Colby
Producer
Ruth Morley
Costume Design
Dennis O'Flaherty
Screenplay
Robert Q. Lovett
Editor
Ross Thomas
Screenplay
Janice Hampton
Editor
Dean Tavoularis
Production Design
Don Guest
Producer
Joseph F. Biroc
Director of Photography
Terry Leonard
Stunt Coordinator
John Barry
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Hammett.
Featured In Curated Collections
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hammett
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Hammett about?
Chinatown, San Francisco, 1928. Former private detective Dashiell Hammett, a compulsive drinker with tuberculosis who writes pulp fiction for a living, receives an unexpected visit from an old friend asking for help.
Who directed Hammett?
Hammett was directed by Wim Wenders.
Who stars in Hammett?
The principal cast of Hammett includes Frederic Forrest, Peter Boyle, Marilu Henner, Roy Kinnear, Lydia Lei.
When was Hammett released and how long is it?
Hammett was released in 1982 with a total runtime of 1h 38m.
Who composed the musical score for Hammett?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Hammett was composed by John Barry.
Is Hammett based on a book or true story?
Hammett is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Joe Gores".
What is the age rating and content advisory for Hammett?
Hammett holds official age classifications: DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).