DEATH FORCE aka VENGEANCE IS MINE (1978)

[MrMari]

I picked this one up as part of a double feature in a Vinegar Syndrome release with VAMPIRE HOOKERS as the second bill. I have always been fond of the 70s/80s Filipino stuff but I had no idea how FRIGGIN' AWESOME THIS MOVIE WAS! If you love trashy revenge flicks, this one is a must see!

Three Vietnam Vets plan a get rich quick scheme. James Iglehart plays "Doug Russell", the noblest of the trio. Russell gets the ole' double cross at the hands of his alleged friends Morelli and McGee played by Carmen Argenziano and Leon Isaac Kennedy respectfully. Now these two actors really push this movie over the top. They do a masterful job of making you hate these guys - a key to becoming entrenched in a revenge flick. Morelli and McGee think they put Russell in a watery grave but hold the phone - Russell manages to survive and washes up on an island inhabited by two WW2 Japanese soldiers. These soldiers take Russell under his wing and teach him the art of the Samurai. The belly laugh training scenes commence and lickety split, you have yourself one badass Samurai warrior. Russell plots his revenge and the fun starts.

This movie had it all; a funky soundtrack, big afros, Samurai martial arts action, a cheesy lovestory (did I mention the beautiful Jayne Kennedy is in this one?), lots of flying limbs and even a Vic Diaz appearance. I would highly recommend this one.

[JPickettIII]

I will have to find this one.  Thanks for the quick facts.

Take care.

[Javakoala]

Watched this one this weekend. Damn, that is one long movie. It needed a touch of trimming, but still a load of fun, and an ending that completely took me by surprise.

Now I just need to watch "Vampire Hookers".

[MrMari]

Watched this one this weekend. Damn, that is one long movie. It needed a touch of trimming, but still a load of fun, and an ending that completely took me by surprise.

Now I just need to watch "Vampire Hookers".

Yeah the movie could have used a trim but it was still awesome. I certainly didn't anticipate that ending. Did you notice how Leon Isaac Kennedy's head was tilted to one side during the whole damn movie? I thought that was hysterical.

Vampire Hookers was ok. John Carradine was fun to watch but some of the scenes in this movie were seriously...WTF? Namely the bathroom scene and EVERYTHING Vic Diaz is in. Really bizarre.

[major jay]

There is a trimmed down version of this on the Millcreek Martial Arts 50 pack under the title FIGHTING MAD, but it's trimmed by a whopping 20 minutes! I've only watched it once and liked it. One of these days I'll give it another look.

[Javakoala]

There is a trimmed down version of this on the Millcreek Martial Arts 50 pack under the title FIGHTING MAD, but it's trimmed by a whopping 20 minutes! I've only watched it once and liked it. One of these days I'll give it another look.

Thanks! And I have that set, so I'll look for it and see if it helps getting chopped to 90 minutes.

Edit:

After scanning through the shorter version, I can say it did not help much. They removed the fate of one character and while it gave a slightly upbeat turn, it was one of the better scenes. They managed to leave ALL of the not that interesting romance side of the story. And the ending has no punch. Avoid the short version unless you just don't want to track down the full 110 minute version Vinegar Syndrome has out.