Tenement (1985)

A drug selling and violent street-gang terrorize the renters of a big trashy apartment-house.

Director:

Roberta Findlay

Writers:

Joel Bender (screenplay), Joel Bender (story),

Stars:

Joe Lynn, Mina Bern, Walter Bryant

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joe Lynn	...	Sam Washington
Mina Bern	...	Ruth (as Mina Bern Bonas)
Walter Bryant	...	Mr. Wesley
Corinne Chateau	...	Carol
Angel David	...	Poppo
Martha De La Cruz	...	Anna (as Martha DeLaCruz)
Rhetta Hughes	...	Leona
Larry Lara	...	Rojas
Alfonso Manosalvas	...	Mr. Gonzales
Gy Mirano	...	Anita
Jaime Roman	...	Carlos
Olivia Ward	...	Mrs. Wesley
Jorge Baqueiro	...	Charlie
Sylvia Medina	...	Maria
Chyann P. Robertson	...	Jeanne

Storyline

A South Bronx gang rape and kill the residents of an isolated tenement. The tables turn and the surviving residents viciously despatch the gang. There is a gruesome scene depicting the repeated stabbing of the leader with a TV aerial followed by a lightning strike for good measure.

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Plot Keywords:

gang | drugs | tenement | rape | terror | 

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Genres:

Crime | Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

X

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Also Known As:

Slaughter in the South Bronx

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Laurel Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The fridge that eventually gets tipped over in the film was actually made of foam core and weighed no more than three ounces.

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Connections

Referenced in Alexander (1986)

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Soundtracks

"Tenement"
Sung by the Kool Krew
Written by Pete Warner, Denise L. Davis and David Baughan
Produced, Arranged and Performed by Pete Warner and Denise L. Davis
© 1985 Zip Zap Music, ASCAP/Warner's Thunder Music, SESAC

User Reviews

A sick pageant of precipitant brutality from Roberta Findlay.

A piggish gang of inner-city punks embark on a sadistic killing spree inside a ruinous low-income housing facility, intent on making the building "their own". Some truly vexatious scenes of gleefully exacted torture and murder make TENEMENT one of the most inclement exploitation films of the 80s.

Rather deficiently crafted for the most part, this is still possibly schlock-queen Roberta Findlay's most technically accomplished effort, and it actually features a few uncommonly decent performances. TENEMENT is a deliberately discomforting urban horror film recommended explicitly to those seeking a challenge to their humane sensitivities and emotional sang-froid...not exactly a "feel good movie of the year" nominee, but it certainly meets its grievous objectives head-on. Be aware of what you're in for.

5/10