Thou Shalt Not Kill... Except [2 Discs] [Blu-ray/DVD]

Director: Josh Becker Josh Becker

Overview

A Vietnam veteran attempts to avenge his girlfriend's kidnapping by going after a violent cult.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/10/2012
UPC:	0654930313794
Original Release:	1987
Rating:	NR
Source:	Synapse Films
Region Code:	A
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:23:00
Sales rank:	19,530

Special Features

Made in Michigan: The Making of Thou Shalt Not Kill...Except; Two Audio Commentaries featuring Director Josh Becker, Co-writer 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

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Brian Schulz	Sgt. Jack Stryker
John Manfredi	Miller
Robert Rickman	Jackson
Tim Quill	Tyler
Sam Raimi	Cult Leader,Rubber Mask
Cheryl Hanson	Sally, Stryker's Girl
Perry Mallette	Otis
Rick Hudson	Kennel Owner
Connie Craig	Cult Girl
Ivih Fraser	Cult Girl
Terry Brumfield	Cult Girl
Al Johnson	Huge Biker,Actor
Glen Barr	Archer
Gary O'Conner	Green
Saule Jackunas	Eddie Munster
Dave Gerney	Van Crazy
Kirk Haas	The Stabber
Scott Mitchell	Madhatter
Scott Spiegel	Pin Cushion
Bruce Campbell	Video Newscaster
Gary Jones	Actor
David Kelly	Actor
David H. Goodman	Actor
Matt Taylor	Actor
Michele Poulik	Actor

Technical Credits

Editorial Reviews

This inconsistent but interesting genre hybrid was the directing debut of Josh Becker, a longtime friend and collaborator of fellow Michigan-born filmmaker Sam Raimi. Thou Shalt Not Kill...Except is likely to interest Raimi fans since it shares a lot of the same artistic quirks that defined that director's early work: outrageous violence, bizarre camera work, and unexpected moments of slapstick humor. Raimi also steps in front of the camera in this film to deliver an unforgettably over-the-top performance as the terminally psychotic cult leader. Unfortunately, Thou Shalt Not Kill...Except lacks the kinetic pace and the consistent stylistic invention of Raimi's work. It also suffers from some indifferent casting (Brian Schulz is too young and fresh-faced to be convincing as the grizzled war veteran hero) and weak dialogue. However, it does benefit from a truly unique Rambo meets Helter Skelter premise. There are also plenty of gritty action scenes for the patient viewer. The battle in the Vietnam-set prologue and a brawl between the heroes and a group of surly bikers are pulled off with low-budget gusto. Ultimately, Thou Shalt Not Kill Except is too amateurish and uneven to rate as anything more than a curio, but Sam Raimi cultists will find it contains enough high points to make it worth a viewing.