Blu-ray Review: THOU SHALT NOT KILL...EXCEPT (1985)

    
THOU SHALT NOT KILL...EXCEPT
Directed by  Josh Becker
Distributed by Synapse Films
 
 The great folks over at Synapse Films have been putting out some remarkable DVDs and Blu-rays lately, and this is another fine addition to their rapidly growing catalog.   Synapse has been putting out a lot of great flicks from the 80's lately, some of which are very well known, and then lesser known gems like THOU SHALT NOT KILL...EXCEPT.   I had heard of this film before, but I had never seen any of it or even heard anything about it until I got the great DVD/Blu-ray combo pack.   Here is the basic synopsis from the Synapse Films website:
 
Vietnam, 1969. War is Hell. For Marine Sergeant Jack Stryker (Brian Schulz), however, Hell is just the beginning. Trapped outside a Viet Cong village, Stryker takes two bullets to the leg. Sent home from the war, he discovers his ex-girlfriend (Cheryl Hausen) has been kidnapped by a religious cult with a vicious Manson-like leader (played by THE EVIL DEAD and SPIDER-MAN trilogy director, Sam Raimi). Stryker teams up with some marine friends to form an assassination squad and annihilate the gang of crazed killers.
   
 THOU SHALT NOT KILL...EXCEPT is one of those rare gems, a film a lot of people have probably never seen, and probably never even heard of.   Hopefully that will change with Synapse's awesome new release.   The back of the Blu-ray box states that "this film features many of the people responsible for the EVIL DEAD films, including co-writer Bruce Campbell, writer/producer Scott Spiegel, composer Joseph LoDuca, and actor Ted Raimi".  If that isn't enough to get you interested, than I don't know what is!    Now get me wrong, this film is no EVIL DEAD, but then , most movies aren't in my opinion.  It is a very good film, though, and one worthy of adding to your DVD/Blu-ray library.  
    
  There is some pretty good gore throughout the film, and some very memorable scenes....one that stands out in my mind is a scene where the evil cult has the sheriff  tied to a tree and they are playing lawn darts with him as the target! 
 
   If you have not seen this film, do yourself a favor and check this film out.  The DVD/Blu-ray combo pack is available now and includes the following special features:
 

*  All-New High-Definition 2K Digital Restoration from the Original Negative

*  The Original Super 8mm Short film, STRYKER’S WAR Short Film, starring Bruce Campbell!

*  Made in Michigan: The Making of THOU SHALT NOT KILL… EXCEPT - Featurette

*  Two Audio Commentaries Featuring Director Josh Becker, Bruce Campbell and Star Brian   Schulz

*  All-New Video Interview with Bruce Campbell

*  Deleted Scene with Optional Director’s Commentary

*  Alternate Title Sequence

*  Original Theatrical Trailer

*  Reversible Cover Artwork
 
 

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack