| Off Limits | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Christopher Crowe |
| Written by | Christopher Crowe Jack Thibeau |
| Produced by | Alan Barnette |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | David Gribble |
| Edited by | Douglas Ibold |
| Music by | James Newton Howard |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
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Running time | 102 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $7.2 million[1] |
Off Limits is a 1988action-thrillerfilm set during theVietnam War starringWillem Dafoe andGregory Hines and directed byChristopher Crowe. The term "off limits" referred to the area where the original crime took place, an area ofSaigon off limits to military personnel. The name of the film was changed toSaigon orSaigon: Off Limits when it was released throughout the rest of the world.
The film marks Willem Dafoe's second Vietnam War film. He was assisted in preparing for this role by Vietnam Veteran and former Counterintelligence Special Agent Ed Murphy. Dafoe had previously starred inPlatoon and would go on to play roles inBorn on the Fourth of July andFlight of the Intruder. Although set during the war, the tale is more of a mystery than a story about the war.
Sergeant First Class Buck McGriff and Sergeant First Class Albaby Perkins are twojoint services Criminal Investigation Division (CID) agents on duty in war torn Saigon. When a prostitute is found murdered they discover that the prime suspects are high ranking U.S. Army officers. As they investigate they find that there have been a string of at least six murders in the last year, but the previous inquiry was shut down from higher up the chain of command. Investigations lead them to Colonel Dexter Armstrong, but Armstrong rules himself out of inquiries by committing suicide. With the help of a Frenchnun Sister Nicole and their non-commissioned officer in charge, Master Sergeant Dix, they finally close in on their target. As their investigation leads them closer and closer to the murderer, they find their lives are in danger.
The movie received a mixed reception.[2][3][4] It holds an approval rating of 45% onRotten Tomatoes based on 11 reviews.[5]
The movie was not successful at the box office, grossing only $7.2 million.[1][6] However, it later found its audience on home video and on cable TV, primarily HBO and Showtime.
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