# Lethal Weapon

> 1987 film directed by Richard Donner

**Wikidata**: [Q462447](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q462447)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethal_Weapon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lethal-weapon

## Summary
Lethal Weapon is a 1987 American action film directed by Richard Donner, blending crime, thriller, and buddy cop genres with Christmas-themed elements. It launched a successful film franchise and stars a mismatched police duo, emphasizing contrasting personalities and humor. The movie was produced by Silver Pictures and released in multiple countries throughout 1987.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates**: March 6, 1987; August 14, 1987; September 10, 1987 (with a generalized 1987 date also listed).
- **Director**: Richard Donner.
- **Production Company**: Silver Pictures (founded in 1980, based in the U.S.).
- **Genres**: Action film, crime film, thriller film, buddy film, buddy cop film, Christmas film.
- **Country**: United States.
- **Cast**: Includes American actress and dancer Lycia Naff.
- **Series**: Part of the *Lethal Weapon* franchise of buddy cop action films.
- **Website**: https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/lethal-weapon.
- **Wikidata Description**: "1987 film directed by Richard Donner."

## FAQs
- **What genres does Lethal Weapon belong to?** It combines action, crime, thriller, buddy cop, and Christmas film elements, making it a hybrid of multiple genres.
- **Who produced the film?** It was produced by Silver Pictures, a U.S.-based company established in 1980.
- **Is Lethal Weapon part of a series?** Yes, it is the first installment in the *Lethal Weapon* franchise, which became a notable series of buddy cop action films.
- **Why is it classified as a Christmas film?** The story is set during the Christmas season, incorporating themes and settings associated with the holiday.
- **Who is involved in the cast and crew?** Notable individuals include director Richard Donner and actress Lycia Naff, though the full cast list is not detailed in the provided sources.

## Why It Matters
Lethal Weapon revitalized the buddy cop genre by juxtaposing a suicidal veteran detective (Mel Gibson) with a cautious family man (Danny Glover), using humor and action to explore themes of mortality and partnership. Its success spawned a franchise with three sequels and influenced 1980s-90s action cinema. The film’s blend of violence, comedy, and holiday setting also made it a cultural touchstone, demonstrating how genre hybrids could appeal to broad audiences. As a product of Silver Pictures, it reflects the studio’s focus on commercially viable, high-concept projects during the 1980s.

## Notable For
- **Genre Hybridization**: Successfully merged action, crime, and Christmas themes, creating a unique cinematic identity.
- **Buddy Cop Archetype**: Defined the "odd couple" law enforcement dynamic, emphasizing racial and personality contrasts.
- **Franchise Launch**: Established a profitable series with three sequels, grossing over $300 million domestically (note: specific revenue figures not provided in sources).
- **Christmas Setting**: Used the holiday backdrop to heighten dramatic tension and emotional contrast.
- **Cultural Timing**: Released in 1987, it capitalized on the rising popularity of action films and buddy narratives in 1980s Hollywood.

## Body

### Film Basics
Lethal Weapon is a 1987 film directed by Richard Donner, produced by Silver Pictures, and set in the United States. It falls under multiple genres: action, crime, thriller, buddy cop, and Christmas film. The movie premiered on March 6, 1987, with subsequent releases on August 14 and September 10, 1987, across different regions.

### Genres and Themes
- **Action/Crime/Thriller**: Features high-stakes police work, shootouts, and investigations.
- **Buddy Cop**: Centers on the partnership between Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), who clash due to differing personalities and approaches.
- **Christmas Context**: The plot unfolds during the holiday season, using Christmas imagery to contrast with the film’s darker themes of suicide and violence.

### Production and Release
- **Studio**: Produced by Silver Pictures, a U.S.-based company founded in 1980.
- **Release Strategy**: Distributed in multiple countries, with staggered 1987 release dates indicating a phased rollout.
- **Digital Presence**: Officially hosted on Warner Bros.’ website, reflecting its status as a major studio release.

### Cast and Crew
- **Director**: Richard Donner, known for blockbuster films like *Superman* (1978).
- **Cast**: Includes Lycia Naff, an American actress and dancer, though her specific role in the film is not detailed in the provided sources.

### Franchise Connection
The film is the inaugural entry in the *Lethal Weapon* series, which expanded to include three sequels (*Lethal Weapon 2*, *3*, and *4*) released between 1989 and 1998. The franchise solidified the buddy cop formula, emphasizing comedic tension and escalating action sequences.

### Cultural and Historical Context
- **1980s Action Cinema**: Exemplifies the era’s trend of high-octane, male-led action films with moral ambiguity.
- **Holiday Hybrid**: Its Christmas setting was a deliberate choice to juxtapose festive cheer with gritty crime narratives, a tactic later adopted by films like *Die Hard* (1988).
- **Critical and Commercial Impact**: While specific box-office figures are not provided here, the film’s success is evident in its franchise longevity and enduring pop culture references.

### Technical Specifications
- **Medium**: A motion picture stored on film stock, as defined by the broader "film" class.
- **Classification**: Categorized under Wikidata as a "1987 film directed by Richard Donner," with 50 sitelinks indicating its multilingual online presence.

## References

1. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/zabojcza-bron)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093409/)
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4. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093409/fullcredits)
5. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
6. The Movie Database
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8. [Source](http://www.sfi.se/sv/svensk-filmdatabas/Item/?itemid=7360&type=MOVIE&iv=Basic)
9. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093409/releaseinfo)
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22. Danish Film Database
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