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.
Acting
Dafoe and Hines' chaotic chemistry sells every ridiculous moment
Direction
Crowe's sweaty Saigon actually feels like a rotting pressure cooker
Director
Christopher Crowe
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Christopher Crowe was a Vietnam vet and journalist; he wrote this after his script for 'The Last Samurai' (no, not that one) got shelved. The Philippines stood in for Saigon since filming in Vietnam was impossible in 1987.
This bombed so hard it killed the 'Saigon noir' wave before it started—only to be rediscovered as a cult VHS staple where Dafoe's unhinged energy predicted his later weirdo roles. The 'high-ranking officer as killer' twist was genuinely shocking in 1988 pre-Abu Ghraib context.