Stryker's War (1985)

Director:

Josh Becker

Writers:

Josh Becker (screenplay)
Josh Becker (story)
(more)

Genre:

Action | Thriller | Adventure | War | Horror

Tagline:

...When Violence Demands Revenge.

Plot:

Jack Stryker took two bullets in the leg in Vietnam and was carried back by one of his men. When he...

Plot Keywords:

Vietnam | Cult | Army | Psychopath | Outhouse

Cast

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
Kirk Haas	...	The Stabber
Al Johnston	...	Big Biker
Chuck Morris	...	Puke Biker
Scott Mitchell	...	Madhatter
Glenn Barr	...	Archer
Marek Pacholec	...	Bat Man
Danny Merritt	...	Mirror Shades
Scott Spiegel	...	Pin Cushion
Saule Jackunas	...	Van Girl
David Gernaey	...	Van Guy
Robert Rook	...	Jart Crazy
Bradley Kahn	...	Begging Camper
Kevin Jackunas	...	Brainless Marine
Dave Hutzley
Krista Manfredi
Jim Johnson
Steve Benson
Dan Nelson
Kirk Nolan
Ray Lacelle
Ray Ketchledge
Gary O'Conner
Gary Jones	...	Shotgun Biker
Debbie Napoleon
David Kelly
Pam Becker
Aimee Majdi
Linda Quiroz
Allison Reed
Jenny Thompson
Barbra Spiegel
Randy Mann
Nick Snover
Joe Toupin
Matthew Taylor
Matt DeWan
Danny Quill
Tom Bruny
Paul Grabke
Alex Macalinden
Barry Kahn
Stanley Need
Michele Poulik
Fran Robbins
Dave Gibson
Sam Yee
Lam Ngoyen
Ngun-Truong
Sopha Ket
Hton Lorn
Chunli In
Hironao Sugiura
Bill Siegrest
Eve Nixon
Anna C. Webb
Kathryn Turnbull
Dwayne Hall
Dave Ivey
Paul Christy
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bruce Campbell	...	Video Newscaster (uncredited)
Don Campbell	...	Marine (uncredited)
Brian Schulz	...	Jack Stryker (uncredited)

Directed by
Josh Becker

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Josh Becker		screenplay
Josh Becker		story
Bruce Campbell		story
Sheldon Lettich		story
Scott Spiegel

Produced by
Arnold Becker	....	executive producer
Pam Becker	....	associate producer
Shirley Becker	....	executive producer
Shirley Becker	....	producer
Scott Spiegel	....	producer

Original Music by
Joseph LoDuca

Cinematography by
Josh Becker

Film Editing by
Josh Becker

Casting by
Jolie Jackunas
Brian Lawrence

Art Direction by
Scott Spiegel

Costume Design by
Joan Dietrich

Makeup Department
Gary Jones	....	special makeup

Production Management
David M. Goodman	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ann Belanger	....	second assistant director
Sheldon Lettich	....	second unit director
Danny Merritt	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Glenn Barr	....	artwork
Steve Frankel	....	carpenter
Jeff Ginyard	....	carpenter
Michele Poulik	....	props
Matthew Taylor	....	carpenter
Chuck Winston	....	carpenter

Sound Department
Robert J. Anderson Jr.	....	sound editor (as Bob Anderson)
Craig Boyajian	....	first sound editor
Bruce Campbell	....	supervising sound editor
Mike Hoogenboom	....	first re-recording mixer
Mike Ionascu	....	sound editor
Peter Kelly	....	second sound re-recording mixer
Scott Mitchell	....	sound recordist
Wendey Stanzler	....	sound editor
Josan Wright	....	sound editor

Special Effects by
Gary Jones	....	special effects
Brian Rae	....	assistant special effects
David Wogh	....	assistant special effects (as Dave Wogh)

Visual Effects by
Jeff Ginyard	....	matte painter
Demaree Hoover	....	titles and opticals

Camera and Electrical Department
Brigette Alexander	....	assistant camera
Brian Belanger	....	key grip/assistant editor
Daniel S. Noga	....	lighting director: murder sequence
Doug Smith	....	road runner camera cars

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Michele Poulik	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Paul Harris	....	first assistant editor
Brian Papworth	....	assistant editor
Bruce Schermer	....	assistant editor
David Block	....	colorist (uncredited)

Music Department
Dennis J. Tini	....	conductor

Other crew
Jeff Bourgeau	....	production assistant
Mike Ditz	....	stills and lighting consultant
Herman Goldsmith	....	owner, joe's army/navy surplus
John-Bruce Jones	....	production assistant
Doug MacGeorge	....	production assistant
Pat Madji	....	signs
John Manfredi	....	bar fight choreography
Randy Mann	....	owner, victory inn
Debbie Napoleon	....	production assistant
Sweet Rosie O'Grady	....	owner, irish pub
Marek Pacholec	....	production assistant
Linda Quiroz	....	production coordinator
Brian Rae	....	production assistant
Todd Schaeffer	....	production assistant
David Standerfer	....	production assistant
Roger White	....	special hair appliances

Thanks
Ron Teachworth	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Action Pictures
• Renaissance Pictures

Distributors

• Film World Distributors (1985) (USA) (theatrical)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• Astro Distribution (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• Dinsdale Releasing (2005) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Prism Entertainment Corporation (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Starmaker Video (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Synapse Films (2012) (USA) (DVD)
• Synapse Films (2012) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-Ray)

Also Known As:

"Thou Shalt Not Kill... Except" - USA (video title)

Runtime:

84 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Not Rated | West Germany:18

Filming Locations:

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Company:

Action Pictures

Trivia:

The movie was mostly shot in the garage and on the lawn of the house where director Josh Becker's long-time friend Bruce Campbell grew up.

Quotes:

Cult Leader:You can't shoot me. I am the Savior returned to Earth, The Messiah, come to lead the people to righteousness. I am Jesus Christ.
SSgt. Jack Stryker:No you're not - you're dead.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Stephen King's World of Horror (1986) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Love Transfusion

"What's a good idea?"

FYI: My comments about 'Stryker's War' are based on the recently released Collector's Edition. I strongly urge you to seek out this version above all others for one reason and one reason only: 'The Making of Thou Shalt Not Kill Except'. Without this vital piece of material the film is without it's glory. The short-story format, retelling of the journey from concept, to production and execution, makes the film ten times more enjoyable, especially for fans of the 'Evil Dead' series of films. The mention of Bruce Campbell (story) and Josh Becker (director, screenplay) "... kicking the story around..." while driving from Tennessee (from the set of 'Evil Dead') to Michigan is a fine example of the insight one gains from this 'Making of...' piece. For true fans.

As for the film itself, based on it's own merits... It's not very good. The film takes place in 1969 during the events of Vietnam and the Manson Family murders. The story revolves around Sgt. Stryker, a man honorably discharged from 'Nam due to an injury sustained in battle. He returns home and retires to his cabin only to soon be faced with a Manson family-esque group (complete with C. Manson look alike leader) terrorizing his loved ones. Stryker meets up with his old war comrades and decides to take back his piece of sanity from the malicious group of the deranged.

Perhaps you could state that the events in the film are in fact a metaphor for the insanity that is war and therefore vicariously is a metaphor for the Vietnam war... Except! Except for the fact that the film is just a silly variation on Rambo, but without the 'great' acting. The novice direction doesn't help, making much of the film bland and boring. The screenplay is definitely uneven despite being fine-tuned for years. The pacing is lop-sided and leaves all of the action in the last act (sans a scene or two in act two). The one bright spot in the production is Joseph LoDuca's (Music Composer) score at times. With a limited budget, the score is capable of making you forget about the sometimes low-production values displayed.

Despite all of it's short-comings... I like this film. I would have loved to have been at the standing-room only premiere of 'Sgt. Stryker's War' back in 1985. I probably wouldn't have liked it as much, seeing as how I was only three years old at the time, but just to be able to say I was one of the first people to see this film would be a kick. I can't really say that about any other film... See this film if you are an 'Evil Dead' fan (it features Sam Raimi, Ted Raimi, Bruce Campbell, Scott Spiegel, Joseph LoDuca and Josh Becker in various forms of production). See this film if you're a fan of the obscure. Most importantly though, see this film if your a fan of film, but only the Collector's Edition. If you do see the Collector's Edition then you'll understand this...

"What's a good idea?"