A dangerously disturbed Vietnam veteran struggles with life 15 years after his return home, and slowly falls into insanity from his gritty urban lifestyle.
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Title: Combat Shock (1984)
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Troma's War
(1988)
Action
|
Adventure
|
Comedy
Directors:
Michael Herz,
Lloyd Kaufman
Stars:
Carolyn Beauchamp,
Sean Bowen,
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Deadbeat at Dawn
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Fantasy
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Terror Firmer
(1999)
Comedy
|
Horror
|
Thriller
Director:
Lloyd Kaufman
Stars:
Will Keenan,
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Lloyd Kaufman
Class of Nuke 'Em High
(1986)
Comedy
|
Horror
|
Sci-Fi
Directors:
Richard W. Haines,
Lloyd Kaufman
Stars:
Janelle Brady,
Gil Brenton,
Robert Prichard
Bloodsucking Freaks
(1976)
Comedy
|
Horror
Director:
Joel M. Reed
Stars:
Seamus O'Brien,
Viju Krem,
Niles McMaster
Redneck Zombies
(1989)
Comedy
|
Horror
Director:
Pericles Lewnes
Stars:
Steve Sooy,
Anthony M. Carr,
Ken Davis
The Last Horror Film
(1982)
Comedy
|
Horror
Director:
David Winters
Stars:
J'Len Winters,
John Kelly,
Joe Spinell
Comedy
|
Horror
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Musical
Director:
Lloyd Kaufman
Stars:
Jason Yachanin,
Kate Graham,
Allyson Sereboff
The Taint
(2011)
Action
|
Comedy
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Horror
Directors:
Drew Bolduc,
Dan Nelson
Stars:
Drew Bolduc,
Colleen Walsh,
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Nekromantik
(1987)
Horror
|
Romance
Director:
Jörg Buttgereit
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Bernd Daktari Lorenz,
Beatrice Manowski,
Harald Lundt
Dead of Night
(1974)
Horror
Director:
Bob Clark
Stars:
John Marley,
Lynn Carlin,
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Rick Giovinazzo | ... |
Frankie Dunlan
(as Ricky Giovinazzo)
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Veronica Stork | ... |
Cathy Dunlan
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Mitch Maglio | ... |
Paco - Gang Leader
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Asaph Livni | ... |
Labo - Gang Member
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Nick Nasta | ... |
Morbe - Gang Member
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| Michael Tierno | ... |
Mike - Junkie
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Arthur Saunders | ... |
Pimp
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Lori Labar | ... |
Lead Prostitute /
Vietnamese Woman
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Jim Cooney | ... |
Interogating GI
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Ray Pinero | ... |
Welfare Worker
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Leo Lunney | ... |
Frankie's Father
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| Eddie Pepitone | ... |
Terry - Strung-Out Junkie
(as Ed Pepitone)
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Martin Blank | ... |
Doctor
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Bob Mireau | ... |
Security Guard
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Tom Desantis | ... |
Man Behind Frankie
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Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
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. Written by Josh Pasnak <chainsaw@intouch.bc.ca>
Taglines:
Fighting, killing, maiming. Agent orange and the torture cages were the easy part!...Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
See more »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
14 May 1986 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
American Nightmare See more »Box Office
Budget:
$40,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (director's cut)Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
Edit
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
A police officer was present on the set for the sequence in which Frankie shoots the three thugs. See more »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. See more »Quotes
Cathy Dunlan: [looking to Frankie] You're not looking for a job... you're waiting for the world to end...See more »
This is further proof that the films Troma distributes are far better than the films they make themselves. Don't be fooled by the cover depicting a "Rambo"-style bloodbath. This is a grim and harrowing portrait of a Vietnam vet's hell. Sure, the production values aren't great, but they add to the raw feel of the film. This isn't a film that'll uplift you (with the exception of feeling happy this isn't your life depicted). However, it is a powerful if impoverished film that must be seen.
There isn't much explicit violence for the first hour or so (with the exception of some Vietnam flashbacks). It depicts a veteran roaming the streets trying to make money yet maintain a sense of morality. He finds it difficult to be a good human being when he looks at the scum around him. He's in debt to a local loan shark, his only friend is a junkie, his wife nags him, and his baby was deformed by agent orange. Between what he has to take and his memories of Saigon, he finally snaps at the end.
This isn't an exploitation film as many may assume. Its obvious the director wanted to create something heartfelt and realistic about the trauma experienced by vets. He couldn't get anyone to finance it except Troma, who were known for schlock such as "Class of Nuke 'Em High". The baby is another notable aspect. Outside of "Eraserhead", there isn't a more disturbing deformed child caught on camera. The ending when he finally loses (reminding one of "Taxi Driver") is predictable but still powerful. There are scenes however that subtly show the main character to be a multi-dimensional person with feelings. He tries to talk to a child prostitute and help her only to be attacked by her pimp. Most distressing of all is the scene in which he calls his father (who thought he died in Saigon) to ask for money. Some have criticized the Vietnam flashbacks as being painfully low budget and obviously shot in New Jersey. They certainly don't look accurate but they do have a dreamlike feel that adds to the dementia of the character. Overall, this isn't a perfect film but is a memorable one. (7/10)