Combat Shock (1984)

A dangerously disturbed Vietnam veteran struggles with life 15 years after his return home, and slowly falls into insanity from his gritty urban lifestyle.

Director:

Buddy Giovinazzo

Writer:

Buddy Giovinazzo

Stars:

Rick Giovinazzo, Veronica Stork, Mitch Maglio

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rick Giovinazzo	...	Frankie Dunlan (as Ricky Giovinazzo)
Veronica Stork	...	Cathy Dunlan
Mitch Maglio	...	Paco - Gang Leader
Asaph Livni	...	Labo - Gang Member
Nick Nasta	...	Morbe - Gang Member
Michael Tierno	...	Mike - Junkie
Arthur Saunders	...	Pimp
Lori Labar	...	Lead Prostitute / Vietnamese Woman
Jim Cooney	...	Interogating GI
Ray Pinero	...	Welfare Worker
Leo Lunney	...	Frankie's Father
Eddie Pepitone	...	Terry - Strung-Out Junkie (as Ed Pepitone)
Martin Blank	...	Doctor
Bob Mireau	...	Security Guard
Tom Desantis	...	Man Behind Frankie

Storyline

Frankie is a war vet whose life sucks. He has no money, a nagging wife, junkie friends, and a deformed baby. This is the story of one day in his pathetic post-war life.

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Plot Keywords:

vietnam | veteran | vietnam veteran | rage | main character dies | 

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Taglines:

Fighting, killing, maiming. Agent orange and the torture cages were the easy part!...

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Genres:

Drama | War | Horror

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site for the - anniversary DVD

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 May 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

American Nightmare

Filming Locations:

Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

2000 A.D. Productions, Troma Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min 92 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Frankie inspects the revolver drum magazine after loading it, some of the cartridges have a dent in the primer made by a firing pin, meaning that they've already been fired.

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Quotes

Cathy Dunlan: Taste it!

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Connections

References Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

User Reviews

Geared towards a specific crowd.

Combat Shock is a seriously downbeat and bleak flick. I knew this going in, as it's been on my radar for a long time, so I was well-prepared for a depressing flick. And on that front, my expectations were met. I also had expectations that I would enjoy it. Those expectations were not met. The film is just not a fun movie watching experience. It's not entertaining either. But it has appeal with it's ugly atmosphere, surprisingly good dialog, and realistic telling of a Vietnam vet's tortured life.

I don't like admitting that the film bored me, but it did. On paper describing it would do the scenes more justice. But with a style very similar to the gritty and depressing 'Last House on Dead End Street', another film I didn't really like, there is a unique feeling this type of movie gives off. One that I don't like. Since it does affect me in this way, I do give it points for that. But phewy, it's slow-going, unlikeable, and altogether ugly. But with it's ridiculous finale, the message it delivers, the baby, and things I mentioned above, it's a film that I will recommend...carefully.