No Man's Land(1987 film)

No Man's Land
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Peter Werner
Written by	Dick Wolf
Produced by	Joseph Stern Dick Wolf
Starring	Charlie Sheen D. B. Sweeney Randy Quaid
Cinematography	Hiro Narita
Edited by	Steven Cohen
Music by	Basil Poledouris
Distributed by	Orion Pictures
Release date	October 23, 1987(1987-10-23)
Running time	106 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$8 million
Box office	$2.9 million

No Man's Landis a 1987 Americancrime dramafilm directed byPeter Werner,written byDick Wolf,and starringCharlie Sheen,D. B. Sweeney,andRandy Quaid.The plot follows a rookie cop who goes undercover and infiltrates a car theft ring. The film was released on October 23, 1987 and received mixed reviews from critics.

Plot

When an undercover detective is shot dead while investigating a string ofPorsche 911thefts, Lieutenant Vincent Bracey assigns 22-year-oldSan Diego officerBenjamin "Benjy" Taylor to infiltrate a Porsche garage suspected to be a front for thegrand theft autoscheme. Benjy is chosen because of his extensive mechanical knowledge of German cars and his rookie status, which dissuades others from suspecting that he is a cop. Bracey wants Benjy to obtain evidence that millionaire playboy Ted Varrick is the mastermind behind the thefts and the murder of the detective.

Using the alias "Billy Ayles", Benjy moves toLos Angelesand gets a job at Technique Porsche as a mechanic. After Benjy fixes Ted's Porsche one night, the two men become close friends, and Benjy becomes romantically attached to Ted's sister Ann. Benjy also discovers the presence of a rival syndicate led by Frank Martin, which leads him to believe that Ted is not the prime suspect despite Bracey's insistence.

Eventually, Ted brings Benjy into his side business of stealing Porsches, with garage manager Malcolm coordinating the operations. Benjy's first few attempts at stealing cars fail miserably, with Frank's syndicate catching on and slashing his hand as a warning. While doing a job at the mall, Benjy and Ted are confronted by Frank and his thugs, but they manage to lose them in a lengthy car chase. Ted rewards Benjy with a red Porsche that night. The next day, Ted goes to Technique Porsche and finds Malcolm has been murdered. In retaliation, he kills Frank at a nightclub.

During a phone conversation at a party, corrupt police Lieutenant Curtis Loos - who was hired by Ted to take out the detective in the film's opening - tells Ted about Benjy's real identity. The next night, Ted has Benjy meet Loos at a warehouse for a payoff. When Loos tries to kill Benjy, Ted runs him over to save his friend in spite of what he knows. Later, Benjy stops at Bracey's house to inform him of what happened with Loos and accuses the Lieutenant of conspiring with him. Bracey kicks Benjy out but tells him to call in the morning so they can work things out. Benjy drives off, unaware that Ted is nearby, spying on him.

The next day, Benjy's cover is blown in front of Ann when his uncle Mike visits his apartment. He goes to Bracey's house, only to find that Ted has murdered him. Ted is preparing to flee the country when Benjy convinces him to meet up at the mall, where he tries to arrest Ted for the murders. Ted refuses to go quietly and a gunfight breaks out; Benjy is wounded but manages to shoot and kill Ted.

Cast

• Charlie Sheenas Ted Varrick
• D. B. Sweeneyas Deputy Sheriff Benjamin 'Benjy' Taylor / Bill Ayles
• Randy Quaidas Lieutenant Vincent Bracey
• Lara Harrisas Ann Varrick
• Bill Dukeas Malcolm
• R.D. Callas Frank Martin
• Arlen Dean Snyder as Lieutenant Curtis Loos
• M. Emmet Walshas Captain Haun
• Al Shannon as Danny
• Bernard Pock as Ridley
• Kenny Endoso as Leon
• James F. Kelly as Brandon
• Lori Butler as Suzanne
• Clare Wrenas Deborah
• George Dzundzaas Uncle Mike (uncredited)
• Linda Carol as Party Girl
• Danitza Kingsley as Margot
• Peggy McCayas Benjy's Mom
• Linda Shayneas Peggy
• Robert Pierce as Jim
• Claude Earl Jones as Uncle Roy
• Jan Burrell as Aunt Rhea
• Channing Chase as Aunt Fran
• Jessica Puscas as Mary Jean
• Molly Carter as Colleen
• Guy Boydas Jaws
• Henry G. Sandersas Heath
• Gary Rileyas Cal
• Jenny Gagoas Tory Bracey
• Scott Lincoln as Bailey
• Tom Santo as Juio
• Michael Rileyas Horton
• Brad Pittas Waiter (uncredited)
• John Gocha as Porsche Mechanic (uncredited)
• Denis Hartigan as Duncan
• Jeff Dandurand as Kid Auto Thief

Production

Avi Nesherwas originally going to direct, but was replaced by Peter Werner just a few days before shooting began, Filming locations that were used includedRodeo DriveinBeverly Hills,theSunset StripinWest Hollywood,and the waterfront and a warehouse inSan Pedro.Extensive shooting was also done at theWestside Pavilionshopping mall inWest Los Angelesand in the parking garage at Filmland Center inCulver City.

During the filming of the final scene, Charlie Sheen was knocked unconscious when asquibthat hardened overnight detonated at the wrong time. He sustained lacerations to his face and a loss of hearing in one ear that lasted four weeks.

Brad Pittmakes his feature film debut in the movie as an extra. In 2019, Pitt revealed that he was almost fired from the film for trying to ad-lib a line.

Soundtrack

The original music score was composed byBasil Poledouris.SkabandThe Untouchablesperformed live in the first party scene.

Release

The film opened in theaters on October 23, 1987, on 510 screens nationwide.

Reception

OnRotten Tomatoesthe film holds an approval rating of 50% based on six reviews, with an average rating of 4.8/10.Metacriticassigned the film a weighted average score of 52 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".Audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.

Roger Ebertgave the film three out of four stars, saying the movie "has lots of scenes of Sheen and Sweeney stealing cars, and it dwells on the details of their crimes, and the reckless way they risk capture. This is a movie about how money and excitement generate a seduction that can change personal values; it's better and deeper than you might expect."

Home media

No Man's Landwas released onDVDbyMGM Home Video;its cover has the tagline "Fast, furious... and deadly".The film was released onBlu-raybyKino Internationalon July 27, 2017.

See also

• The Fast and the Furious,a 2001 film with a similar premise

External links

• No Man's LandatIMDb
• No Man's Landat theAFI Catalog of Feature Films