Turkey Shoot (1982)

In a totalitarian future where deviants are held in rehabilitation camps, a freedom fighter and a wrongly-accused prisoner form an alliance to survive their decadent oppressors' game of kill-or-be-killed - and turn the tide against them.

Director:

Brian Trenchard-Smith

Writers:

Jon George (screenplay), Neill D. Hicks (screenplay) (as Neill Hicks)

Stars:

Steve Railsback, Olivia Hussey, Michael Craig

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Steve Railsback	...	Paul Anders
Olivia Hussey	...	Chris Walters
Michael Craig	...	Charles Thatcher
Carmen Duncan	...	Jennifer
Noel Ferrier	...	Secretary Mallory
Lynda Stoner	...	Rita Daniels
Roger Ward	...	Chief Guard Ritter
Michael Petrovitch	...	Tito
Gus Mercurio	...	Red
John Ley	...	Dodge
Bill Young	...	Griff
Steve Rackman	...	Alph
John Godden	...	Andy
Oriana Panozzo	...	Melinda

Storyline

In a totalitarian country, any subversives, undesirables and "deviants" are sent to a prison camp to be rehabilitated and reeducated. The camp is run in fascist fashion, with guards torturing and killing prisoners for sport. Their pinnacle of the guards oppression is an event where a select band of prisoners are set free in the surrounding bush, to be hunted by the guards and special guests for sport - the Turkey Shoot.

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Plot Keywords:

rape | prisoner | dystopia | brutality | female full frontal nudity | 

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Taglines:

The day the future had to be stopped.

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Olivia Hussey was miserable, upset and stressed throughout filming, believing Australia's dangerous wildlife would be everywhere and hurt her, making it difficult to film her on location.

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Goofs

When Alph is beating up Dodge, slamming him to the ground, you can clearly see the sides of a foam mat when Dodge hits the floor and bounces up.

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Quotes

Jennifer: [assembling her crossbow blindfolded] When assembled, it has three moving parts. A self-contained gas supply, which will propel a paralyzing hypo-dart at four hundred meters. Give or take, 1% accuracy. Mr. Mallory is going to licence it for his department... after the little test.
[she finishes assembling it]
Tito: Thirty-two seconds. You manipulate well, my dear - like a part of your body.
Jennifer: It is my own design.
Charles Thatcher: Yes, a very nice piece, hm. Serviceable, well-contoured, good feel... perhaps just a trifle ...
[...]

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Alternate Versions

The UK cinema and Guild/Vipco video versions were cut by 5m 42 secs to secure a '18' rating and heavily toned down the scenes of torture and violence including the savage beating of a woman, the burning to death of a failed escapee, and various scenes of broken limbs and gore. The film was issued twice on DVD in 2003 (as "Turkey Shoot" and "Blood Camp Thatcher") and both versions were passed fully uncut by the BBFC.

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Connections

Version of Deadly Prey (1987)

User Reviews

A national treasure

Despite watching Turkey Shoot (Escape 2000) whilst I was drunk i can admit that all Australians should be proud of this film. If the world can remember Australia for one thing it should be TURKEY SHOOT, brilliant acting from Steve Railsback and Olivia Hussey and a fantastic storyline about the future and how humans are used for sport in an insane game. I am suprised and frankly yes shocked this film did not win at least one award, for shame.

Details

Country:

Australia UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 September 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Escape 2000

Filming Locations:

Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD2,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,414,828

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,414,828

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hemdale, FGH, Filmco Limited

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1