10 Things to Know About 'Flashpoint' (1984)

Flashpoint is a 1984 conspiracy thriller starring Kris Kristofferson and Treat Williams along with an incredible supporting cast that includes Tess Harper, Jean Smart, Rip Torn, Kurtwood Smith, and Miguel Ferrer.

The film follows a pair of Border Patrol Agents who, while on patrol, find a body, a bag of cash, and an old school sniper rifle buried along with a jeep in a dried up, desert river bed. The agents consider taking the money and heading for the border before finding out that their discovery is more than just a random accident.

Eventually, government agents, led by Kurtwood Smith (That 70's Show) show up leading to further revelations that may link the dead man, the money, and the rifle back to Dallas, Texas in 1963 and 'Flashpoint' that changed American history forever.

Here are 10 things to Know About Flashpoint

10 Paul Newman and Warren Oates

Early development with major talent attached: The rights to George LaFountaine’s 1976 novel were purchased in 1975 by First Artists. Screenwriters Michael Butler and Dennis Shryack wrote the script for a project starring Paul Newman and Warren Oates, with Martin Ritt slated to direct. The project fell apart with the company’s issues, and the rights were later acquired by producer Skip Short and director William Tannen.

9 The First Theatrical Release for HBO Pictures

HBO’s first theatrical feature: Flashpoint was the inaugural theatrical production from HBO Pictures, made in partnership with Silver Screen Partners (a joint venture with Columbia Pictures). This marked cable television’s expanding role in feature filmmaking at the time.

8. Filming Took Place in Tucson, Arizona

Filming location and start date: Principal photography began on January 16, 1984, in Tucson, Arizona, and surrounding areas, leveraging the desert landscapes to stand in for the Texas border setting. End credits thanked the Tucson Film Commission.

7. Novelist George LaFountaine Began His Career in Television

Author’s background: Novelist George LaFountaine was a television cinematographer who wrote books as a hobby. His other novel, Two-Minute Warning (1976), was also adapted into a film (the 1976 Charlton Heston disaster thriller).

6. Tangerine Dream Handled the Soundtrack

Tangerine Dream soundtrack details: The electronic band provided the score (their sixth soundtrack album). A 1984 CD release on the Heavy Metal label was recalled due to pressing errors that made many copies unplayable; it wasn’t properly reissued on CD until 1995. The end-title song “Flashpoint” was performed by a group called The Gems (not Tangerine Dream).

5 The Rolling Stones

Director’s original end-credits song choice: William Tannen wanted The Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil” over the closing credits for thematic reasons (especially lyrics referencing the Kennedy assassination). The rights proved too expensive, leading to the custom Gems track instead.

4 A Change of Character Dynamics

Character dynamic reversal from the novel: In LaFountaine’s book, the younger partner (Ernie) is more eager to take the money and run, while the older one (Bobby) is guided by conscience. The screenplay flips this for the film’s leads.

3 Oops! Credit Fail

On-screen credit error: Actor Miguel Ferrer (as Roget) is misspelled as “Miguell Ferrer” in the on-screen credits.

2 Box Office Flop

Budget and box office performance: The film had an estimated $10 million budget but grossed only about $3.8 million theatrically, making it a commercial disappointment despite its HBO/Silver Screen backing.

1 Low Key Procedural Thriller

The stylistic influences and tone of Flashpoint? Director William Tannen (primarily known for commercials at the time) delivered a low-key, procedural thriller with 1970s paranoia vibes (echoing William Friedkin or Michael Mann). The desert cinematography by Peter Moss and Tangerine Dream’s eclectic synth score (with Western motifs) enhance its neo-Western atmosphere.