This interesting and informative 30 minute documentary provides a few neat insights about the relentlessly gritty and depressing cult favorite "Combat Shock." Among the folks interviewed are directors William Lustig, Richard Stanley, Jim Van Bebber, and John McNaughton, plus "Gore Gazette" editor/publisher Rick Sullivan and film critic Joe Kane (a.k.a. The Phantom of the Movies). Several folks note that it was late, great gonzo horror splatter scribe Chas. Balun and his magazine Deep Red that first alerted them about the existence of "Combat Shock." Naturally, the influence of "Taxi Driver" on the movie is discussed at length, although it's widely acknowledged that "Combat Shock" actually goes farther with the bleak mood than "Taxi Driver" with its raw depiction of the horrors of poverty. While everyone praises Troma for having the guts to distribute the picture, it's still cited that Troma's poster for "Combat Shock" was extremely misleading and hence doesn't represent the actual film well at all. Lusting and Van Bebber both bring up how the subject matter is still topical because of Gulf War veterans returning to America with post-traumatic stress disorder after their tour of duty is over. Other things that are addressed is how the film managed to reduce jaded grindhouse audiences to complete silence during its theatrical run, the movie playing at the Slaughterfest event in the United Kingdom, writer/director Buddy Giovinazzo never receiving his proper due in America for making such a fiercely uncompromising picture, and how the late 1980's was an anemic time for the horror genre. Loaded with choice clips and lots of cool behind-the-scenes photos, this doc is essential viewing for fans of film.
2 Reviews
Great Look at the Power of Combat Shock
Michael_Elliott27 November 2016
Post Traumatic: An American Nightmare (2009)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Highly entertaining, twenty-six minute documentary about the history of the 1984 film COMBAT SHOCK. Directors John McNaughton, Richard Stanley, William Lustig, Jim Van Bebber and Roy Frumkes are joined by writers and horror experts as they discuss the Buddy Giovinazzo film, which has gained a pretty strong following over the years. This featurette has the directors talking about the first time they watched the film and why they feel it is so special. We also get a pretty good look at how the film was advertised by Troma and why so many people were going in expecting a Chuck Norris film and instead were hit over the head with something completely different. The documentary will certain appeal to fans of the film but if you're not familiar with the movie then it shows you a great deal of history on it and it'll certainly make you want to watch it.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Highly entertaining, twenty-six minute documentary about the history of the 1984 film COMBAT SHOCK. Directors John McNaughton, Richard Stanley, William Lustig, Jim Van Bebber and Roy Frumkes are joined by writers and horror experts as they discuss the Buddy Giovinazzo film, which has gained a pretty strong following over the years. This featurette has the directors talking about the first time they watched the film and why they feel it is so special. We also get a pretty good look at how the film was advertised by Troma and why so many people were going in expecting a Chuck Norris film and instead were hit over the head with something completely different. The documentary will certain appeal to fans of the film but if you're not familiar with the movie then it shows you a great deal of history on it and it'll certainly make you want to watch it.
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