Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

No Man's Land

  • 1987
  • R
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
5.9K
YOUR RATING
No Man's Land (1987)
A rookie cop goes undercover and infiltrates a car thief ring.
Play trailer1:41
1 Video
20 Photos
CaperCop DramaCrimeDramaThriller

A rookie cop goes undercover and infiltrates a car thief ring.A rookie cop goes undercover and infiltrates a car thief ring.A rookie cop goes undercover and infiltrates a car thief ring.

  • Director
    • Peter Werner
  • Writer
    • Dick Wolf
  • Stars
    • Charlie Sheen
    • D.B. Sweeney
    • Lara Harris
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    5.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Werner
    • Writer
      • Dick Wolf
    • Stars
      • Charlie Sheen
      • D.B. Sweeney
      • Lara Harris
    • 33User reviews
    • 21Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:41
    Trailer

    Photos20

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 14
    View Poster

    Top cast52

    Edit
    Charlie Sheen
    Charlie Sheen
    • Ted Varrick
    D.B. Sweeney
    D.B. Sweeney
    • Benjy Taylor
    Lara Harris
    Lara Harris
    • Ann Varrick
    Randy Quaid
    Randy Quaid
    • Lieutenant Vincent Bracey
    Bill Duke
    Bill Duke
    • Malcolm
    R.D. Call
    • Frank Martin
    Arlen Dean Snyder
    Arlen Dean Snyder
    • Lieutenant Curtis Loos
    M. Emmet Walsh
    M. Emmet Walsh
    • Captain Haun
    Al Shannon
    Al Shannon
    • Danny
    Bernie Pock
    • Ridley
    Kenny Endoso
    • Leon
    James F. Kelly
    • Brandon
    Lori Butler
    Lori Butler
    • Suzanne
    Clare Wren
    Clare Wren
    • Deborah
    Philip Benichou
    • Michel
    Linda Carol
    • Party Girl
    Danitza Kingsley
    Danitza Kingsley
    • Margot
    Peggy McCay
    Peggy McCay
    • Benjy's Mom
    • Director
      • Peter Werner
    • Writer
      • Dick Wolf
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews33

    6.15.9K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    6fredrikgunerius

    Has more aspirations for itself than it has been given credit for

    D. B. Sweeney plays a rookie cop and hobby mechanic who is persuaded by his boss (Randy Quaid) to go undercover in order to infiltrate and take down a luxury car theft operation ostensibly led by the flashy Ted Varrick (Charlie Sheen). Although not garnering the ravest reviews back when it was released, this film written by Dick Wolf has more aspirations for itself than it has been given credit for. As a look at the subculture of mechanics and garages, it is worthy and knowledgeable. And despite being far more predictable as a procedural, arguably lacking in suspense and nerve, you do ultimately care a little bit for Sweeney's character - and perhaps even Sheen's. The former brings the right level of blue-eyedness to his part, and the latter demonstrates that his talent was arguably underrated. The love interest is played by model Lara Harris. Also with R. D. Call as Sheen's rival.
    10nigel_denning

    Very underrated film

    This film is nearly 20 years old, but still rates as one of the best movies I've ever seen.

    Following the title sequence which sets the violent scene of car crime which forms the backdrop for this film, Peter Werner opens the film with a fairly protracted scene featuring the central character (22-year-old rookie cop, Benjy) in his home environment. This marks the start of some brilliant characterisation which underpins the whole film, causing the viewer not to perceive that there is a "villain of the piece". As an enviable friendship between Bengy and the police target, suspected ringleader and businessman, Ted Varrick (Charlie Sheen) develops, the viewer yearns to be in ether's shoes, as Ted welcomes Bengy to his world of the "rich and aimless". This envy is part based on the complex hedonistic and idealistic relationships between all the characters that evolves, but ultimately everything relies for its roots on Bengy and Teds crime sprees, something that ultimately must end.

    The deterioration is palpable, and when ultimately the reckoning comes, it does so in series of twists that drive the two friends together (something very much cunningly engineered by Ted himself). The end represents a self fulfilling prophesy that left me craving for more, yet knowing there could be no sequel.

    The contrast between the pair is very much a focal point, the only commonality being their devotion to their own goals - goals which for Bengy at least become very blurred, as Ted gives him the Porsche and the lifestyle that form the focus of his own existence. The domestic opening scene is a stark contrast for the remote, empty but undeniabley plush and palacial house that Ted "visits" rather than truly lives in, with its stunning view from the hills over the city.

    The film is bolstered by some spectacular car chase sequences that are plausible in a way that modern sequences rarely are. They all involve Porsche 911's and if there is ever any incredulity it comes from these sequences only. Could an Oldsmobile ever keep pace with a works Porsche? How could an Iroc Z ever hope to keep up, and if it did, and crashed into the lightweight Porsche, how on earth does it fail to leave a scratch?

    Romantic interest is enticingly present as Ted encourages the relationship between Bengy and his own sister Anne (Lara Harris) but it never manages to rival, nor is intended to rival the strength of the bond between Ted and Bengy.

    Utterly brilliant for the most part, I've now watched this film 8 times.

    Thoroughly recommended.
    8tpaladino

    One of the great unknown gems of the 80's

    Once again I've got to say thank you to my Netflix 'recommended' queue, because thus far it's let me to several great movies that I never knew existed, including this one.

    This was a truly good movie, with a fantastic storyline, great acting and a lot of style. Charlie Sheen turns in a terrific, understated performance, which makes you sadly recall that at one time he was a gifted young actor with a promising future ahead of him, and not an out of control bipolar freak of nature. This movie actually fell right in the middle of his golden period; shortly after 'Platoon' and just before 'Wall Street' and 'Young Guns'. He was pretty clearly at the top of his game.

    The rest of the cast did wonderfully as well, especially D.B. Sweeney who handled the lead role admirably, and the incredibly beautiful and talented Lara Harris, who deserves far more work in Hollywood than she's gotten. The only character who seemed out of place was Randy Quaid as the no-nonsense lieutenant, but that's only because I've become so used to seeing him in goofball roles that it's now a bit jarring when he's serious.

    I definitely enjoyed this film, and any fan of the police/thriller genre will surely enjoy it as well, as will fans of the time period in general. I'm glad I didn't pass this one over.
    7med_1978

    Hugely Underrated but highly enjoyable 80's gem

    Charlie Sheen and Little known actor DB Sweeney star in this excellent thriller about a cop who is sent undercover at a chop shop to find out who murdered another undercover officer.

    DB Sweeney is not bad as the cop who ends up blurring the line and whose loyalties become divided. Benjy (DB Sweeney) gets in way over his head when he falls for the prime suspects sister(Lara Harris), and becomes buddy's with the suspect.

    Charlie Sheen is at his super smooth and sleek best as the extremely affable but ultimately very cunning Ted Varrick. A well respected guy who has cops on the payroll, steals Porsche's and still has time for lavish party's at his home. As Sheen tell's Sweeney "Welcome to the lifestyles of the rich and aimless" ! There is a lot to like about this film. The performances range from excellent (Charlie Sheen & Randy Quaid as Sweeney's boss) to good (DB Sweeney) to not so good (Lara Harris). The Car Chases are well filmed and exciting as well as pretty believable as is the storyline and the actions of the characters. The Tension between Sweeney & Sheen and the ending are well handled and leaves you satisfied at the end.

    I was surprised that Character actor George Dzundza was uncredited as Benjy's Uncle Mike and he is not even listed on IMDb (I have sent a cast update to IMDb).

    I highly recommend this film and would rate it 7/10
    Wizard-8

    Surprisingly bland

    Despite starring Charlie Sheen, who has been hot for the past several years from starring in a top-rated sitcom, "No Man's Land" seems to have been all but forgotten. In fact, I have NEVER seen this movie broadcast on television - I had to rent this over the Internet to see it.

    Before seeing it, I thought that maybe since the movie was rated "R", that's why I had never seen it on television. But to my surprise, the "R" rating for this movie seems a bit harsh. There's no nudity, no (onscreen) sex, there are only a few utterances of the harshest swear words (which could easily be overdubbed), and the limited violence on display could easily be shown on a television drama. The movie feels more like a PG-13.

    The above is a big clue as to why I felt this movie didn't work. It's lacking grit - it feels bland and without passion. At times it feels like it was made for television. It's not only with the direction, but with the performances as well - none of the actors here seem to be very enthusiastic, and the only thing colorful about them is Randy Quaid's weird hairstyle.

    One positive thing I can say about the movie is that unlike other '80s movies, this one hasn't dated that much. But that is not enough to save the movie.

    P.S. - MGM's DVD of the movie is pretty bad. Not only is the movie presented full-frame, and using what seems to be an older print not made especially for this DVD, the colors frequently seem off somewhat.

    More like this

    The Boys Next Door
    6.4
    The Boys Next Door
    Beyond the Law
    6.4
    Beyond the Law
    Cadence
    6.5
    Cadence
    Three for the Road
    5.3
    Three for the Road
    Bad Day on the Block
    5.3
    Bad Day on the Block
    The Rookie
    5.9
    The Rookie
    Navy Seals
    5.6
    Navy Seals
    The Chase
    5.9
    The Chase
    Bad Influence
    6.3
    Bad Influence
    Less Than Zero
    6.4
    Less Than Zero
    A Life in the Day
    5.0
    A Life in the Day
    Wisdom
    5.8
    Wisdom

    Related interests

    Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, and Elliott Gould in Ocean's Eleven (2001)
    Caper
    Ethan Hawke and Denzel Washington in Training Day (2001)
    Cop Drama
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Brad Pitt, as a fancy party waiter with a mullet hairdo, can be seen very clearly the second after Charlie Sheen says, "Welcome to the lifestyles of the rich and aimless." He's in the middle of the room and then walks off-screen to the left.
    • Goofs
      After the chase between the Porsche and the Camaro, when the Porsche gets banged up pretty bad on the right side and a window is blown out by a shotgun, the Porsche is driven into the chop shop and it doesn't have a scratch on it. In the next scene the right front end of the car is shown and it's a slightly lighter/paler color and appears to have scratches, although it looks more like mud splashes or painted-on damage than scratches.
    • Quotes

      [the car phone in the Porsche rings]

      Benjy Taylor: Hello? No, Rick is not here. Who am I? The guy stealing Rick's car...

    • Alternate versions
      UK cinema and video versions were cut by 1m 5 secs by the BBFC to remove shots of a car being broken into and hot-wired. The cuts were waived in the 2005 MGM DVD.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Sicilian/Prince of Darkness/No Man's Land/The Glass Menagerie/The Whales of August (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Leave My Heart Alone
      Performed by James House

      Written by James House, Todd Sharp and Jack Conrad

      Published by Ah Rollins/Texascity Music, Ensign Corporation, Cement Chicken Music

      Produced by Jack Conrad & James House

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ17

    • How long is No Man's Land?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 23, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • No Man's Land - Tatort 911
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Orion Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $8,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,877,571
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,088,273
      • Oct 25, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,877,571
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 46m(106 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.