Off Limits

3/11/19881h 42m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ Being a cop is tough. But in Saigon, 1968, being a cop is crazy. ~

Overview:

McGriff and Albaby are probably doing the worst law enforcement job in the world - they are plain clothes U.S. military policemen on duty in war-time Saigon. However, their job becomes even harder when they start investigating the serial killings of local prostitutes. Their prime suspect is high ranking U.S. Army officer which brings their lives in danger.

Director:

Christopher Crowe

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$12,000,000.00

Revenue:

$7,242,035.00

Key words:

helicopter
undercover
racism
prostitution

Cast

Willem Dafoe

~ as ~

Buck McGriff

Gregory Hines

~ as ~

Albaby Perkins

Fred Ward

~ as ~

Dix

Amanda Pays

~ as ~

Nicole

Scott Glenn

~ as ~

Colonel Dexter Armstrong

Keith David

~ as ~

Maurice

David Alan Grier

~ as ~

Rogers

Lim Kay Tong

~ as ~

Lime Green

Raymond O'Connor

~ as ~

Elgin Flowers

Richard Brooks

~ as ~

Preacher

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

John Chard
Written 10 year(s) ago
7.5
Murder mystery with a sweaty backdrop.

Off Limits (AKA: Saigon) is the missing Vietnam film, a film I feel not many have actually seen since I never see it mentioned on the message boards out there in net land. While I have certainly never heard it spoken about when talk of Vietnam films crops up. The film is in essence a who done it police drama, two cops on the streets of Saigon during the war are searching for a high ranking officer who is, erm, offing prostitutes.

It is the backdrop of the war that gives the film added substance and lifts it way above average, because we see not only the problems a murder investigation brings, but also the horror of war getting in the way as well. Some damn fine and tidy performances flesh out the characters, with both Gregory Hines & Willem Dafoe as our two stoic and battle weary coppers engaging us from the off, whilst the supporting cast of Fred Ward, Keith David (look out for his dance man!) & Scott Glenn are interestingly watchable; the latter of which who leaves the lasting impression with what has to be the best 5 minutes work he ever did during a brilliant interrogation sequence during a mid-air flight.

It's gritty and interesting and deserves to be better known and sought out. It doesn't pull up any trees as regards formula, and it certainly isn't one you will want to go back to time and time again for thrills and spills, but it hits the spot and as the mystery and stifling heat of Vietnam pervades the mood, you will remember watching it long after the credits have rolled. 7.5/10