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Mitch Maglio, Aspah Livni, Nick Nasta, Mike Tierno, George Perry ... see more see more... , Veronica Stork , Ricky Giovinazzo , Martin Blank , Ginny Cattano , Phil Ciulo , Jim Cooney , Mary Cristadoro , Tom Desantis , Tom Devito , Collette Geraci , Carmine Giovinazzo , Bernadette Golden , Clare Harnedy , Doo Kim , Lori Labar , Cathy Labarbera , Yon Lai , Joe Loach , Leo Lunney , Marylyn Marcinek , Pete Marino , Jeffrey Mathes , Jimmy May , Barry McBride , Keith McIsaac , Dean Mercil , Ken Mezzacappa , Bob Mireau , Howie Murphy , Tony Noe , Eddie Panelli , Sue Parker , Ed Pepitone , Vinnie Petrizzo , Robert Pillorella , Ray Pinero , Janet Ramage , Lou Rinaldi , Shinri Saito , Arthur Sausnders , Judy Tait , Melissa Tait , Stacy Tait , Brendan Tesoriero , Leif Vetland , Betty Ann Walstrom , Nancy Zawada , Arthur Saunders , Asaph Livni , Michael Tierno , Rick Giovinazzo

This violent film follows the miserable life of a miserable Vietnam vet as it goes from awful, to disgusting, to almost ludicrous (the life and the film). First the vet helps slaughter the inhabitants... read more read more... of a village during the war and then he is captured and tortured for two years. After that scenario, he winds up in a low-life neighborhood in New York owing drug money, saddled with a chunky, nagging, ugly wife and a little baby who inherited his mother's genes. One gory scene follows another until the climax which is meant to be the shocker that caps it all. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Flixster Users

56% liked it

1,744 ratings

R, 1 hr. 25 min.

Directed by: Buddy Giovinazzo

Release Date: May 14, 1986

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DVD Release Date: January 8, 1999

Stats: 112 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (112)


  • August 28, 2009
    The film opens to a flashback of the Vietnam war and in particular, one soldier's plights of that war - it is a horrible intense sequence. As the movie progresses, we get to see what has happened to that solider. He is now living with a nagging wife and deformed baby son on the e... read morextreme poverty line in New York City. They haven't eaten for days and he wanders the streets, trying to look for work with no luck at all.

    He suffers flashbacks and hallucinations throughout the film, where he is being tortured in 'Nam and then his supposed recovery in a hospital after. He is cut off from the world and desperate for money. We then meet one of his friends, a drug addict who is in equal dire straits. At one point, the addict uses a coat hanger to open his vein and pour in the drug whilst he bleeds - a truly horrifying moment.

    This is very strong stuff. It has no budget but that somehow suits the story - it's totally gritty and real, no gloss whatsoever. It's probably the bleakest, most depressing film I've ever seen and all I can say is, if you're having a bad day or work or a bad day in general, just see what happens to this guy!

    I got the excellent Troma DVD release which features the full uncut Director's version - the only one really worth seeing.

    I don't know if I'd exactly recommend this; it's so hard going that it sure ain't entertainment, but it does have an appeal and is worth watching. However, if you're not used to zero-budget horror, avoid at all costs.
  • August 2, 2010
    In stark contrast to most of the rest of the Troma catalog this film is a bleak portrait of a war veteran, haunted by visions of war, suffering in poverty and trying to create a decent living for himself and his family. It gets worse though... His first born child is badly deform... read moreed due to agent orange that was sprayed on him during Vietnam, he is unable to find a job and is constantly hassled by loan shark goons, all his friends are junkies in just as bad shape as him and he is soon to be evicted from his apartment, with no prospects in site. A scathing critique of America in the 1980's for sure, and not for the feint of heart. Must see for fans of Taxi Driver, Eraserhead, Driller Killer, I Stand Alone, The Bicycle Thieves and others of that ilk.
  • March 13, 2009
    This film follows the story of a war veteran who once back from seeing some very horrible things as well as being a prisoner for two years starts to have flashbacks not only that to add to his problems he has a wife thats always on his case some neighborhood toughs that he owes m... read moreoney too a drugged out friend and a deformed child that is the result of him being exposed to gasses during the war untill one day he finally snaps and leaves behind a very shocking ending. This movie released by Troma is low budget and has some bad acting like most Troma movies but this one i would consider a cut above the rest and any fan of cheesy bad movies should check it out
  • January 30, 2007
    One of the most depressing films ever made, but if watched non-stop for days becomes an amazing black comedy.
  • October 2, 2009
    Don't let the fact that this is a Troma movie throw you, this movie is definitely not your average Troma fare. This an extremely downbeat portrait of urban decay and of a man trying, and failing, to cope with it. The acting may not be top notch, but the grittiness and sleazy at... read moremosphere that the film gives off more than make up for it. And the ending is something that should stick with you for quite a while. Anyone familiar with the band Suicide will recognize the plot, seeing as how it was taken from one of their songs, right down to the main character's first name. This is a good movie to watch if you need to feel better about your own life, unless your life resembles the main character's, in which case god help you.
  • June 14, 2008
    I can't recommend this as high-art by any means; it was obviously produced on the cheap with horrible acting throughout. Still, they caught a scuzzy vibe that money will never buy. It's like First Blood, Taxi Driver and Eraserhead were mushed into one movie and produced with mone... read morey found in the couch.
  • October 22, 2007
    I was impressed by the originality of the story and the visual representations of horror. Also, the locations were outstanding.
  • September 8, 2007
    Bottom line - this movie is kick ass. It's better than any Hollywood studio Vietnam Vet in the real world movie you'll ever see.
  • January 10, 2007
    The theatrical versionwas out of sync, by different amount depending on the shot, frequently out of frame and began with a trailer for itself. It also looked like the print had been sanded in the lab. Too bad they fixed this for video - it was the only thing that made it worth... read more watching.

Critic Reviews


Bill Gibron
June 23, 2009
Bill Gibron, PopMatters

It's a true American original, a portrait painted in the scum, sweat, and the fears of both its subject and its supporters. Full Review

March 21, 2004
Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 11, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Erik Childress
January 1, 2000
Erik Childress, Apollo Guide

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts


    • Frankie's Father: I don't wanna go back.
    • Frankie Dunlan: I go back there every night, dad.
    • Frankie Dunlan: Cathy. I love you.

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