The Exterminator

Overview

John Eastland (Robert Ginty) has vowed to avenge his buddy from the Vietnam War days when the friend is permanently disabled by a street gang. Revenge in this case involves not simply killing all the "guilty parties," but murdering them in ways that are particularly cruel and gruesome. A detective (Christopher George) gets on the trail of Eastland, but unknown to both the hunter and the hunted, the CIA is also interested in the killings. A sequel followed in 1984.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/13/2011
UPC:	0654930313190
Original Release:	1980
Rating:	NR
Source:	Synapse Films
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:42:00
Sales rank:	16,243

Special Features

The original director's cut featuring more gore and violence; Newly restored original stereo soundtrack mix; Audio commentary with director James Glickenhaus; Theatrical trailer and television spots (HD)

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Robert Ginty	John Eastland
Christopher George	Detective James Dalton
Samantha Eggar	Dr. Megan Stewart
Steve James	Michael Jefferson
Tony DiBenedetto	Chicken Pimp
Dick Boccelli	Gino Pontivini
Patrick Farrelly	CIA Agent
Michele Harrell	Maria Jefferson
David Lipman	State Senator
Cindy Wilks	Candy
Dennis Boutsikaris	Frankie
Roger Grimsby	Himself
Stan Getz	Himself
Phil Chong	Vietcong Garrottee
Bill Saito	Vietcong AK-47
Clay Wright	US Pilot
Frank Ferrara Sr.	Collector #1
Paul Hensler	Captured US Soldier
Tony Munafo	Collector #2
Ned Eisenberg	Marty
Irwin Keyes	Bobby
Santos Morales	Police Captain
Ralph Monaco	Bartender
Louis Edmonds	CIA Chief
Lou David	Leaflet Man
Tom Everett	Hotel Clerk
Gerald Kline	Massage Parlor Cop
Paul Farentino	Message Cop (sic)
Webster Whinery	Sammy
Robert King	Motorcyclist
Joe Duquette	SWAT #2
Ryan Hilliard	SWAT #5
Kenny Endoso	Vietcong Fire Gag
Sean O'Rinn	Uniform Cop #4
George Cheung	Vietcong Leader

Technical Credits

Lester Berman	Executive Producer
Norman Berns	Executive Producer
Tom Brumberger	Special Effects
Mark Buntzman	Producer
James Glickenhaus	Director

Editorial Reviews

This grisly exploitation item one-ups the Death Wish series by taking its revenge film scenario to greater (and often more gruesome) extremes. Like the Death Wish films, The Exterminator's take on the justice system is one-dimensional and it wallows in the kind of nonstop brutality guaranteed to send any sensitive viewer running for the exit. Despite its exploitative nature and morally questionable take on vigilante tactics, The Exterminator is tough to disregard altogether because it is surprisingly well made. Robert Baldwin's photography stylishly captures the squalor of the film's New York locales and director James Glickenhaus knows how to put together a memorable action sequence: Highlights in this vein include the explosive Vietnam prologue and a slickly edited chase between a car and a motorcycle. The film also benefits from nicely understated performances by its leads: Robert Ginty brings a believable sense of anger and weariness to John and Christopher George's turn as Dalton is infused with plenty of sly wit. However, these attributes are undone by the film's need to shock and its constant barrage of sleaze and gory violence is guaranteed to numb most viewers after a short while. As a result, The Exterminator is the kind of stylish but severe action item that can only be recommended to the hardiest fans of exploitation filmmaking.