FILM · 1993 · USA
Bound by Honor
23 archived facts 6 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
23 Interesting Facts About Bound by Honor
Interesting Facts (15)
- #001
- #002
The original version ran over five hours. During editing, they decided to split the five-hour film into three films. Part 1 was to end with Paco shooting Miklo. Part 2 would contain all of the prison scenes. Part 3 covered Montana's daughter growing up and learning how to move drugs and money, which would eventually lead her to Miklo and bring her father's murder full circle.
- #003
- #004
- #005
Danny Trejo has stated many times that no matter how many roles he takes on or how big those roles are, his role in Blood in Blood Out (1993) is still the one he is asked about most.
- #006
Damian Chapa, despite never having been a member of any gang, said in an interview that he related strongly to the character "Miklo" because 1.) like "Miklo," Chapa is of both Caucasian and Latin descent, and 2.) many aspects of the relationships between "Miklo" and his fictional family were very similar and parallel to the relationships and experiences Chapa had with members of his real-life Latin family.
- #007
- #008
- #009
Danny Trejo, the actor who plays Geronimo on the La Onda council, had actually spent time in San Quentin before deciding to become an actor. At the council's final meeting, Miklo announced that he would be returned to Texas through an interstate agreement — Trejo's cousin (film director Robert Rodriguez) is from San Antonio.
- #010
- #011
The truth, however, is that the producers did not have permission to paint the mural on the reservoir wall. What the producers did was ask a local artist to paint the mural on plywood that they placed in front of the wall, creating the illusion that the mural had been painted on the wall. The producers obtained permission to leave the mural up for a few months after the film's release. The artist who made the mural was allowed to take the painting down.
- #012
In an interview Floyd Mutrux gave on The Projection Booth Podcast in 2012, the film was intended to be directed by Michael Mann and was supposed to be a sequel to American Me (1992).
- #013
Because the actors would be filming with real inmates in the prison, all cast and crew had to sign a clause called a "no hostage" clause. This meant that if something like a riot occurred while they were there, the prison and the State of California would not be held responsible and that they were there at their own risk. According to director Taylor Hackford, it was a "sobering responsibility." Fortunately, no incidents occurred during filming.
- #014
- #015
Production Story (1)
Behind the Scenes (2)
- #017
Daniel Vazquez, who played the role of the San Quentin Prison Warden, was not a professional actor and was in fact the actual Warden during filming. When director Taylor Hackford asked the warden for permission to shoot at San Quentin, he shared the script for the prison scenes. Daniel was so struck by the realism of the script and the story that he immediately began the paperwork to allow the film crew into the prison. Daniel Vazquez retired in early 1994 and is now a Corrections Consultant and Researcher who provides expert analysis on inmate behavior and street gang validation.
- #018
No special effects or prosthetics were used on Damian Chapa's (Miklo's) leg. In fact, a double with a prosthetic leg of similar appearance was used in camera angles where the leg is visible. There are many moments throughout the film where Miklo's hair appears darker and thicker, revealing when the double is on screen. In one scene in particular, while the AV'ers grab Miklo's leg and disrespect him, Miklo falls to the ground and drags himself; it is clearly visible that this is not Chapa.
Characters & Cast (3)
- #019
- #020
In 1988, Edward James Olmos was considered to both star in and direct the film, with Andy Garcia, Lou Diamond Phillips and Sean Penn in supporting roles, but he turned down the offer due to creative differences.
- #021
The producers were granted permission to shoot inside the walls of San Quentin State Prison, where much of the film's plot takes place. Several of the inmates at the time appear as extras in the film. In addition, many of the prison staff also appear as others, and some facilitated the production as technical advisers. Many members of the staff were given small lines in the film; a guard was given an extended cameo in a scene where he is an integral part of the plot. Also, actor Danny Trejo, who appears in the film as Geronimo, had served time at San Quentin before deciding to become an actor.
Easter Eggs & References (1)
- #022
Bound by Honor stars Jesse Borrego, Benjamin Bratt, Enrique Castillo and Damian Chapa. The screenplay is partly autobiographical, drawn from Jimmy Santiago Baca's experiences with street gangs and prison. The film's title refers to the ritual of having to kill someone to enter a gang and, on the other side, being unable to leave the gang unless you are killed.
Deeper Meaning (1)
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Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- IMDb
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