Stryker's War (1985)

Jack Stryker took two bullets in the leg in Vietnam and was carried back by one of his men. When he returns he tries to live a peaceful life in his cabin and resume dating his girlfriend, ... See full summary »

Director:

Josh Becker

Writers:

Josh Becker (screenplay), Josh Becker (story),

Stars:

Robert Rickman, John Manfredi, Timothy Patrick Quill

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Rickman	...	Sgt. Walker J. Jackson
John Manfredi	...	2nd Lt. David Miller
Timothy Patrick Quill	...	LCpl. Tim Tyler
Sam Raimi	...	Cult Leader
Cheryl Hausen	...	Sally
Perry Mallette	...	Otis
Dandy	...	Whisky
Rick Hudson	...	Kennel owner
Pam Lewis	...	Mom
Jim Griffen	...	Dad
Theo Kruszewski	...	Kid
Connie Craig	...	Bald cult girl
Ivitch Fraser	...	Young cult girl
Terry-Lynn Brumfield	...	Sleazy cult girl
Ted Raimi	...	Chain Man

Storyline

Jack Stryker took two bullets in the leg in Vietnam and was carried back by one of his men. When he returns he tries to live a peaceful life in his cabin and resume dating his girlfriend, Sally. Meanwhile, a vicious cult let by Sam Raimi, who believes he is Jesus Christ, has been slaughtering people and doing blood sacrifices. When Stryker finds Sally gone, and her grandfather, Otis, used as a human dartboard, Stryker brings together his army buddies, gives them a stash of guns from under his bed, destroy an outhouse, and create a war zone not unlike Vietnam to destroy the evil cult.

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Plot Keywords:

cult | vietnam | army | blood | outhouse | 

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Taglines:

...When Violence Demands Revenge.

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Genres:

Action | Thriller | Adventure | War | Horror

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 October 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bloodbath

Filming Locations:

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Action Pictures, Renaissance Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bruce Campbell was unable to reprise his role as Sgt. Stryker because he had become a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), which prohibits actors from starring in non-SAG productions.

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Goofs

After killing the Chain Man, Stryker cycles his Winchester rifle twice. The first cycle should have ejected the last shell fired, but no shell was visible.

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Quotes

Cult Leader: You must taste blood to be a man!

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Connections

References Sands of Iwo Jima (1949)

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Soundtracks

"Love Transfusion"
Performed by The Rockets
Written by John Badanjek
Publisher-Conquistador Music, Inc.
Dynamited Mice Music c 1977
Tortoise International c 1977

User Reviews

Stunning, stirring look at post-Vietnam US

Although I saw this film under the title "Thou Shalt Not Kill Except. . .," I feel that it would be just as effective under any name. The film is divided into two segments, the first taking place in Vietnam and the second back in the US. The gripping battle sequences of the opening section might lead you to believe that this is just a below-average combat picture. But it's when Stryker returns to the US that the film really takes off. He returns from the front a changed man, walking with a limp as he rekindles old friendships (and just maybe a love affair!). But Stryker's world is shattered all over again when his gal pal gets kidnapped by a murderous gang of drug-addled cretins led by Sam Raimi. The stage is set for Stryker ro reunite his old 'Nam unit and go on one last mission -- to wipe out the evil cult leader. The film is exceptionally well-written and nicely shot -- you'll believe they're actually IN Vietnam! And the performances are first-rate, especially by the actors playing Love Machine and Chainman. This is great stuff for fans of the genre, and has become a cult hit in its own right in certain areas. Stryker's troubling return to 'normalcy' closely parallels the experience of many Vietnam vets whose lives were torn apart by guys just like Chainman. Well worth checking out, if you can find a copy.