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Beat the Devil

  • 20022002
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 9min
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
5.8K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
Clive Owen in Beat the Devil (2002)
ActionShortAdventure

Decades ago, the legendary James Brown sold his soul to the devil for fame and fortune. Now he wishes to renegotiate. Hired to take Mr. Brown to a rendezvous with the devil, the driver soon ... Read allDecades ago, the legendary James Brown sold his soul to the devil for fame and fortune. Now he wishes to renegotiate. Hired to take Mr. Brown to a rendezvous with the devil, the driver soon finds himself entangled in fiendish plans.Decades ago, the legendary James Brown sold his soul to the devil for fame and fortune. Now he wishes to renegotiate. Hired to take Mr. Brown to a rendezvous with the devil, the driver soon finds himself entangled in fiendish plans.

IMDb RATING
7.4/10
5.8K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Tony Scott
  • Writers
    • David Fincher(original concept)
    • David Carter
    • Greg Hahn
  • Stars
    • Clive Owen
    • Gary Oldman
    • James Brown
Top credits
  • Director
    • Tony Scott
  • Writers
    • David Fincher(original concept)
    • David Carter
    • Greg Hahn
  • Stars
    • Clive Owen
    • Gary Oldman
    • James Brown
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 34User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Photos3

    Beat the Devil (2002)
    TONY WILSON YOUNG JAMES BROWN
    Add image

    Top cast

    Edit
    Clive Owen
    Clive Owen
    • Driveras Driver
    Gary Oldman
    Gary Oldman
    • Devilas Devil
    James Brown
    James Brown
    • Selfas Self
    Marilyn Manson
    Marilyn Manson
    • Selfas Self
    Danny Trejo
    Danny Trejo
    • Bobas Bob
    Tony Wilson
    Tony Wilson
    • Young James Brownas Young James Brown
    Tomirae Brown
    • Vegas Girlas Vegas Girl
    Judge Bradley
    • Crossroads Doormanas Crossroads Doorman
    • Director
      • Tony Scott
    • Writers
      • David Fincher(original concept)
      • David Carter
      • Greg Hahn
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Back in 1954, a then-unknown James Brown made a deal with the Prince of Darkness in exchange for fame and fortune. Decades later, age is starting to take its toll on the king of funk music, and as a result, eager to re-negotiate the terms of the infernal contract, James Brown proposes a new wager. Now, James' fate is in the hands of the taciturn Driver with the nerves of steel, and his silver BMW Z4 3.0i convertible, in a winner-take-all drag race. Can the Driver beat the devil at his own game? —Nick Riganas
    web seriestrans ampontiacfirebirdthe hire
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Short
      • Adventure
      • Comedy
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Goofs
      When they begin the street race, the Trans Am shoots flames out the back as though nitrous was already activated, but in the next shot, the flames aren't shooting out the back until nitrous is activated.
    • Quotes

      [doorbell buzzes]

      Devil: Who's that?

      Bob: It's Marilyn.

      Devil: Who?

      Bob: Creep from down the hall, complaining about the noise.

      Devil: [suddenly nervous] Oh, tell him I'm not here. He spooks me out. He's weird.

      Marilyn Manson: Can you keep it down in there? I'm trying to read, okay?

      [holds up copy of Bible]

      Devil: Complaining about the noise? Have you heard the racket he makes?

    • Crazy credits
      BMW recommends that you always wear your seat belt.
    • Connections
      Featured in Bounty Hunting on Acid: Tony Scott's Visual Style (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      Funky Drummer, Pts. 1 & 2
      Written & Performed by James Brown
      Courtesy of Universal Records
      Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

    User reviews34

    Review
    Top review
    Drag the Strip at Dawn
    I've never seen so much action poured into 9 minutes of film. I had to watch it again to see what I missed the first time. It has Gary Oldman doin' his thing. (NOBODY can do 'outrageous' like Gary Oldman can) His devil is wild! James (I Feel Good) Brown who supposedly actually DID sell his soul to the devil.(that's between them, I'm not getting into that) Clive Owen looking all serious and observing the goings on around him. (I think Gary made him a bit nervous) Mr. Brown has sought out the Devil to re-negotiate his contract. The Devil enjoys a wager, but likes the concept of winner takes all. The wager? Drag the Strip at dawn. The Devil: Cool! The race is on. So what we have is Gary Oldman, James Brown, Clive Owen, a 1976 Trans Am and a BMW Roadster drag racing down the Sunset Strip, and what a ride.
    helpful•9
    0
    • drhansley
    • Jan 3, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 21, 2002 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Hire: Beat the Devil
    • Production company
      • RSA Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 9min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    The Escape Trailer: Clive Owen Returns as BMW's The Driver
    The Escape Trailer: Clive Owen Returns as BMW's The Driver
    Oct 1MovieWeb
    BMW Short 'The Escape' Teams Clive Owen and Director Neill Blomkamp
    BMW Short 'The Escape' Teams Clive Owen and Director Neill Blomkamp
    Sep 20MovieWeb

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