Blu-ray Review: THE EXTERMINATOR (1980)

  
THE EXTERMINATOR
Written and Directed by:   James Glickenhaus
Distributed by:  Synapse films

Synapse films is quickly becoming my #1 favorite film distributor.  They are putting out some great stuff lately, and they will soon be releasing a classic from the 1980's entitled, THE EXTERMINATOR. Here is the basic plot synopsis from the Synapse films website:

The man they pushed too far is coming for you–in high-def! The exploitation revenge classic THE EXTERMINATOR burns onto Blu-ray in a newly re-mastered “director’s cut” version! Christopher George, Robert Ginty and Samantha Eggar star in The Exterminator, James Glickenhaus’ explosive story of Vietnam vet John Eastland (Ginty), a man who launches a bloody vendetta against the New York underworld when his best friend is brutally beaten by a vicious street gang. Eastland becomes a vigilante hero to the public, but to police The Exterminator is a psychopath capable of dangerously undermining an entire government administration.

THE EXTERMINATOR came out in 1980.....I remember as a kid seeing this film on the shelves of my local video store, but I never did rent it for some reason.  Lucky for us, the great folks at Synapse films have released the film on an awesome Blu-ray/DVD combo pack.   The film looks crystal clear on the Blu-ray that I watched.  If it weren't for the outdated cars, clothes, and hairstyles, you would think this movie was just filmed.   The transfer to Blu-ray is quite impressive.

The film opens up with a great Vietnam war scene, including a scene of our hero, Vietnam vet John Eastland, in a P.O.W. camp that ends with one of the most graphic throat cutting scenes I have ever witnessed.  The scene literally made my jaw drop.   This effect must be seen to be believed, and I have to admit I hit the rewind button a couple of times on this one....very well done, even by today's measures, but for 1980....well, it was ahead of it's time for sure!  Eastland is a very nice person you can tell, but after witnessing his best friend get beat up so bad, he begins to do some very bad things. He says at one point to his hospitalized friend "that going after the gang of thugs that did this was just like being back in Vietnam....it didn't matter if it was right or wrong, he just felt like he had to do it."  And that he does...one by one he picks off the thugs that hurt his friend so badly, then continues his killing spree as he takes it upon himself to clean the streets of any and all lowlifes and criminals that he comes across.

This is an awesome revenge flick that really encompasses the feel of an 80's horror movie.  This is one you will definitely want to check out again if you saw it years ago, or discover for the first time like I did.  Either way, you will definitely want to add this to your collection.

THE EXTERMINATOR is set for release on September 13.  Special Features/Extras include:

* The Original Directors Cut Featuring More Gore and Violence
* Newly Restored Original Stereo Soundtrack Mix
* Audio Commentary with Director James Glickenhaus
* Theatrical Trailer and Television Spots (HD)


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to pre-order the film on Blu-ray


CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Synapse films