Cease Fire is a 1985 American independent war drama film directed by David Nutter (in his directing debut) and written by George Fernandez, based on his stage play Vietnam Trilogy. It stars Don Johnson and Lisa Blount. The film follows a Vietnam War veteran struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as he attempts to reintegrate into civilian life. It was one of the early films to address the psychological effects of the Vietnam War on returning soldiers.
A Vietnam Veteran fifteen years after returning home, married and with children suddenly finds himself reliving the horror of Vietnam. He's out of work and searching for a new job along with another Vet named Luke. Luke is separated but hoping to get back with his wife one day. Tim the main character sees the enemy in his house one night as he crawls around with a knife searching for the intruder. His young son has gotten up to get a glass of water and sees his father crawling through the darkness, knife in hand searching to the enemy. Horrified he wets his pants and is just missed being the enemy. Paula, Tim's wife realizes that her husband needs help and knows it's something to do with the War. She joins a Woman's Group, desperate for help. Tim reluctantly joins the Men's group but doesn't say a word. Luke comes to him one day excited that he and his wife are going to get together again. That night Tim calls to find out that Luke was served with divorce papers. Luke is sitting in his small apartment with his gun in hand. He sees Charlie and he's at the Wire, they're going to overrun the unit there's no chance. Tim hears the gun go off and runs to his friends side, but it's too late. He watches them carry his body away. At Luke's Funeral he meets the wife and son. Paula tries to talk to him but he's lost, his mind is so confused he goes to look for himself. That night while Paula is throwing out the garbage she sees Tim sitting by the children's swing set and she goes to him. She's trying to understand but can't. Tim explodes and tells her she's going to the prom while he's out in the woods. Then the mortars start walking in Tim falls to the ground in pain reliving Vietnam in front of his wife. Paula sees her family falling apart and won't stand for it. She attacks him screaming her love and need for him to come back to the family. She and the children need their father. Tim is snapped out of it and Paula falls crying into his arms. The Next day, Tim goes to the Vets office to talk about his experience in Vietnam. They were on patrol, Tim and three others, His friend Badman was with him. They were out looking for a supposed POW camp. They find a well and in the well are the bodies of 26 Americans, their hands tied behind their backs and a bullet hole in their heads. The Rats are having a field day eating the rotting flesh. Suddenly, its and ambush as Mortars come walking in and machine gun fire opens up. Rafer is killed and they make a run for it, but the mortars follow behind them. A rescue Huey is hanging above the ground waiting for them. Gil is hit, Tim picks him up and makes to the Helicopter, then turns to see Badman crawling toward them. Tim tells the chopper to wait but the mortar fire is intensifying. It's beginning to lift off. Badman is screaming for Tim who is begging the crew to go back but to no avail. He is going to watch his friend be captured tortured and mutilated unless he can do something.
Directed by David Nutter, Cease Fire was an independent film produced on a modest budget. It was filmed in Houston, Texas, and relied on a character-driven narrative rather than large-scale battle sequences to explore the emotional impact of war. The film’s script was written by George Fernandez, with an emphasis on the psychological and social difficulties faced by Vietnam veterans.
Reception
The film received positive reviews for its realistic portrayal of PTSD and Don Johnson’s performance, which was praised for its depth and emotional intensity. Although it did not achieve widespread box office success, Cease Fire gained recognition for its honest depiction of the struggles faced by returning veterans. It has since been regarded as a precursor to later films that tackled similar themes, such as Born on the Fourth of July (1989).
Legacy
Cease Fire remains a significant, though underrated, film in the genre of Vietnam War cinema. It was one of Don Johnson’s early dramatic roles before he gained mainstream fame with Miami Vice. The film continues to be studied for its depiction of PTSD and the challenges of reintegration for veterans.
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