Somehow more than just a violent exploitation film

Leofwine_draca

A tough, adult exploitation film in which violence and retribution are the main themes, this is still as relevant today as it was thirty-odd years ago when the film was first released. Essentially the story of one man's war against crime, this is pretty depressing viewing with a downbeat ending, so be warned. The words tough and gritty have never been so apt and the graininess of the film adds to the harsh, cold feel throughout.

Robert Ginty (SCARAB) - in probably his most notorious role - is the everyday kind of hard-working guy who just happens to be a ruthless cold-blooded murderer when the time comes at night, when he goes out to "clean the scum off the streets" as Travis Bickle might say. Ginty pulls off the character of the disturbed but honourable John Eastland very well, and manages to be both frightening and almost likable, certainly believable, in his quest. Underrated stuntman Steve James (VIGILANTE ) gives good support as the best friend, while Christopher George fits the role of a hard-bitten detective like a glove, dressed in a dirty vest and blue anorak, and makes the role his own.

The film concentrates on the various ways that Ginty dispatches his victims, with only George's slow investigation in between (there is a pointless sub-plot about George's relationship with one of my least favourite actresses Samantha Eggar, and also some charming scenes of him frying a sausage over the mains which sum up his matter-of-fact on-the-street character as a whole).

Although the film only has one scene of strong gore, the series of deaths are impactful and pretty disturbing which is why it gained its reputation as a hard-edged exploitation thriller, nastier even than DEATH WISH. One gore scene is at the beginning of the movie and was one of Stan Winston's first effects - a captured soldier has his throat slashed. Disturbing stuff. A sequel followed three years later, but with little of the impact of this no-budget quickie. THE EXTERMINATOR is a very frightening film, in the portrayal of a man at his wit's end, the horrors of the Vietnam war, and the mentally scarred soldiers, the powerlessness of the authorities and the depths to which society will succumb. Essential viewing for vigilante fans, I think.

score 7/10

Leofwine_draca 10 July 2016

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3501929/