Deadly Vengeance (1981) User Reviews

A disorienting freak show

[Falconeer · 7/10 · 23 December 2007]

I wonder how many people were duped into buying this obscurity by the box cover art, that fraudulently suggested that Grace Jones was the main character that seeks deadly revenge on the men that killed her lover! Yes, this is a story about a young, attractive woman, who plans out a complicated revenge on "Big Mike," the evil and sleazy mob boss that murders her good lookin' bum of a man, after he can't pay off his large gambling debts that he has incurred with the mob. "Deadly Vengeance" has it all; tacky, hilarious plaid suits with wide lapels, wig-sporting men, fake mustaches, totally unnecessary nudity, sex scenes that border on hardcore, including one outrageous scene featuring Grace Jones, who spends an unprecedented 10 minutes wiggling under a greased up black man, as the camera focuses on his bare butt pumping up and down, for an eternity! And all that to the sound of disorienting circus music!!! Jones' storyline goes nowhere, and it is an obvious attempt from the filmmakers to cash in on the "blaxploitation" market. The women look embalmed in their hideous early 70's fashions and slathered-on makeup, and everyone seems to be reading their lines off of cue cards. Yet there is something about this movie... All of these wacko elements come together to create a nice little cult gem that you won't be able to take your eyes off of. featuring some very energetic camera work and editing, and some great one-liners, not to mention a very nice little revenge story, complete with a satisfying, and bloody climax, that will have most men crossing their legs and covering their genitals! I'm sure Grace Jones is blocking the DVD release; she is portrayed as a piece of meat here, total exploitation. The whole project probably came about when a bunch of guys with some money sat around a keg of beer and said, "hey, let's make a movie with lots of T&A and blood!" Here is the glorious result. It ain't exactly Goodfellas, but if you are a Tarantino fan, this is the kind of stuff that influenced that man to do what he is doing these days. for fans of 70's Italian cop thrillers and cheapo mafia movies like "Massacre, Mafia Style," this should satisfy. Watch it with a group of friends who share your sick sense of humour; This one is a riot!