Ultima missione

My review was written in September 1986 after watching the movie on Thorn EMI/HBO video cassette.

"Final Mission" is a routine action drama about a war vet out for revenge. Filmed by prolific Filipino helmer Cirio H. Santiago at the beginning of 1984, pic bypassed theatrical release for the home video market.

Richard Young portrays Vince Deacon, a Vietnam vet living with his family in California, who is suspended from the police force for being ultra-violent with thieves. The punks laer boobytrap his boat on a family outing, blowing up his wife and kid. It's revenge time.

A key subplot involves a turncoat who was at odds with Vince back in Laos in 1972 and turns out to be involved with the punks who killed his family. Final reel is a manhunt in a forest with Vince as the prey, heavily influenced by "First Blood".

As usual with a Santiago film (he cranks out about two a year like clockwork), technical credits are good. Acting is okay, with a guest appearance by John Ericson as a military expert who helps Vince figure out who had the explosives expertise to help the punks blow up his boat.