Behind Enemy Lines (1987)
"Killer Instinct" (original title)

Director:

Cirio H. Santiago

Writer:

Joe Mari Avellana

Stars:

Robert Patrick, Robert Dryer, William Steis

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Patrick	...	Johnny Ransom
Robert Dryer	...	Dmitri
William Steis	...	Jacobs
Morgan Douglas	...	Keller
Lydie Denier	...	Capt. Dupre
Barbara Patrick	...	Terry (as Barbara Hooper)
Rey Malonzo	...	Sam
Joe Mari Avellana	...	Tran Van Minh
Henry Strzalkowski	...	Costello
Anthony East	...	Townshead
David Light	...	Nash
Mel Davidson	...	Mathews
Willie Williams	...	Brent (as Willy Williams)
Jeff Griffith	...	Ashton
Don Wilson	...	Townshead's Aide

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

vietnam war | cult film | cult director | boyfriend girlfriend relationship | mission | 

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Genres:

War

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Philippines USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Behind Enemy Lines

Company Credits

Production Co:

Eastern Film Management Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

User Reviews

Vietnam action Philippine style

Robert Patrick (Copland, The Marine) is Johnny Ransom, head honcho of a squad of jungle fighters who are ambushed by the enemy at the close of the Vietnam war. Ransom escapes but rather than taking the freedom bird home decides to head back into the bush to exact revenge on the Soviet adviser responsible for the death of several of his men, and to rescue what's left of his squad from Charlie. His superiors are more than happy to send him and a few men on his quest, but only as long as they rescue a communist defector being held by the Soviet officer and the NVA.

Robert Patrick worked with re-known action director Cirio Santiago previously in another Philippine lensed Vietnam war film called Eye of the Eagle, where his character was also named Johnny Ransom. The two films don't seem to be related so it appears Cirio was simply fond of the name. The director throws in a bit of intrigue and romance, but the film remains combat oriented with plenty of Cirio's patented firefights. Robert Patrick portrayed Col. Tom Ryan, head of the covert military team in the excellent television series The Unit, and it's interesting to think of his character Ransom as a precursor to Ryan, giving a glimpse into what the Colonel's character may have been like in his youth, especially given the film's finale.