By Darren Allison
James Glickenhaus's Vigilante Classic Survives
its Dark and Controversial Past
Arrow’s
commitment to releasing finely polished versions of cult greats appears to be
beyond question. I recently viewed their deluxe Blu-ray release of the 1980
grindhouse favourite The Exterminator. I
have some vivid memories of The Exterminator, a film that practically sucked me
from the high street and into the lobby of my local cinema some 34 years ago.
What a poster: an unidentifiable urban soldier wearing a black biker helmet and
using a flame thrower as his weapon of choice! Yep, it was an image that was always
going to get me to the box office for my ticket and of course, the latest copy
of Film Review magazine. The Exterminator was quite an extraordinary film; lame
of course by today’s standards – perhaps, but in 1980 is was really something
rather wild.
Director
James Glickenhaus wastes little time in his narrative style, a huge hilltop
explosion sees a soldier flying through the air. We are undoubtedly in the
middle of a war zone – the Vietnam War. The next cut reveals we are in an enemy
camp, and an interrogation of 3 bound U.S. soldiers. Two of the captive
soldiers, John Eastland (Robert Ginty) and Michael Jefferson (Steve James)
witness the slow decapitation of their fellow marine. Both Eastland and Jefferson
manage to escape before they are killed. They manage to reach a helicopter and
escape. We dissolve into a night
helicopter shot of New York – and the opening credits roll. It’s an amazing
pre-credit sequence that manages to pull you straight into the action and
you’re hooked. It is soon established that both men have simply escaped one
hell hole to arrive back home to another. Working together in the gritty city
of New York, Eastland learns that his buddy Jefferson has been the victim of a
gang attack which has left him paralysed. Unhappy with the police and the slow
progress in apprehending the attackers, Eastland sets out to avenge his friend
and track down the gang in a one-man revenge vendetta.
The
Exterminator turned up the heat considerably and set the bar for an altogether
new standard of ‘Death Wish’ -type vigilante thriller. Glickenhaus presented us
with a genuine urban ugliness – the likes of which we had never witnessed
before. While it was not considered a ‘big budget’ movie – in the general sense
of the words, you can certainly see where the money shots are. The incredibly
real throat cutting and decapitation sequence still stands out, even by today’s
standards – it remains a brilliantly created special effect by the legendary
Stan Winston. Yet there is nothing overly stylised here – the action, the
atmosphere and above all, the revenge killings – arguably border on bad taste.
However, Ginty’s portrayal of a troubled survivor – an anti-hero of
circumstance rather than choice, never fails to keep the audience firmly on his
side. Whilst the moralistic side of your conscience will no doubt be screaming
out legitimate concerns, Ginty’s ‘everyman’ appeal will most certainly still
have you rooting for him by the time of the final reel.
The Exterminator is presented in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and whilst clean, it thankfully retains its grindhouse veneer, and somewhat pivotal to its look. The audio, too, is good and clear, there has been no fancy attempt to create anything beyond a DTS 2.0 mix (the original film was shot in Dolby Stereo). The film is presented as ‘totally uncut’, and to be honest, I couldn’t remember if the version I originally saw was ever shaved by a few frames here or there – it’s been a while since I viewed my DVD, and certainly a lot longer since I saw it at my beloved ABC cinema! Extras include an audio commentary with producer Mark Buntzman and moderated by Calum Waddell. Whilst the commentary has some informative moments, it can feel a little uncomfortable at times, Waddell seems a little too star struck (and is obviously a fan) - and rather awkwardly, neither one of them seems to know how to wrap the commentary up... There is an introduction to the film by director James Glickenhaus – but be warned, it must be all of 20 seconds long. Glickenhaus offers a great deal more during Fire and Slice: Making The Exterminator – which is based largely on Glickenhaus interviews, and very interesting it is, too. There is also a loosely related short – 42nd Street Then and Now, a tour of New York’s former sleaze circuit from director Frank Henenlotter (Basket Case, Frankenhooker). The packaging is very impressive, with a reversible sleeve containing both the original and newly commissioned artwork by Tom Hodge. There is also a nice collector’s booklet containing generous notes and new writing by film critic David Hayles. It is such a shame that no original trailers appear on the disc. At least two versions exist on YouTube, one with a music and effects track, the other with a more conventional voiceover... But it always disappoints me when a trailer fails to appear – for me they were an essential element of the whole cinema going experience and completely reflective of the time. But hey, a few gripes aside – this Blu-ray from Arrow Films is the best that The Exterminator has ever looked. Existing fans of the film shouldn’t have to think too hard about acquiring it on Blu-ray – it’s really a no brainer. For fans who are perhaps new to the genre, it is also required viewing – as it is simply one of the best examples of its kind. Not only does it capture the genuine depravity of New York’s past (arguably seen here at its worse), but offers the viewer a unique bittersweet taste and a somewhat nauseating social realism.
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