SLEDGEHAMMER (1983)

The 80's did many things. Slasher flicks being one of the most memorable. Add to that that consumer video camcorders were a reality and anybody could make a movie. Brothers Ted and David jumped on the bandwagon and gave us the bizarre fever dream known as SLEDGEHAMMER.

In a house where child brutality took place, a group of friends come to have a party. The focus of the brutality has become something unearthly and violent and now it has something to focus its rage on.

One of the first shot on video horror flicks, SLEDGEHAMMER is unique in that it doesn't bother to explain a lot of why things are going on. It gives you everything at face value and expects you to be ab adult and keep up. That makes it a little more than most shot on video fare.

This new release by Intervision and Severin Films is probably the best that this can look. Add to that two audio commentaries, two featurettes that look back on the film and an interview with director David Prior and you have what may be the best DVD release of the year.

It is a shame that Mr. Prior seems to care less about the proceedings. In the interview he looks like he's ready to bolt at any moment and in the commentary he just seems so tortured. It made it kind of funny for me. After Intervision's two Jess Franco releases, this is probably the feather in Intervision's cap.

The one odd thing for me in watching this and all the extras is, where is Ted Prior? According to his brother he did all his own stunts, did the gore FX, wrote music. He's the one that should have done the commentary and interview. Oh well. 

But, I'm a little worried about that THINGS release. I remember that movie as being the worst.