Huge kudos to local boutique label Ex Film for the simply outstanding job they have done with their new release of the notorious 1974 exploitation film Act of Vengeance, directed by Bob Kelljan (Scream Blacula Scream and the two Count Yorga films). Perhaps better known under the more contentious title of Rape Squad, this was one of the more infamous films to be released on VHS in Australia by Palace Explosive in the early 1980s (as well as being one of the most valuable and sought after by collectors).
Ex Film's DVD release of Act of Vengeance comes with a reversible sleeve that pays homage to the Palace Explosive Rape Squad cover, and includes a 48 page full-color booklet featuring informative essays by Dean Brandum, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (author of Rape-Revenge Films: A Critical Study) and Ex Films honcho Leon O'Regan, and is filed to the brim with rare photos, ad mats, poster and lobby card art, and lots of other visual ephemera. The DVD itself also comes loaded with great extras, including trailers, an interview with star Jennifer Lee, and audio commentary by Heller-Nicholas and local film buff and programmer (and knowledgeable exploitation fan) Zak Hepburn.
Ex Film have also released the movie in a VHS edition, limited to 100 copies and also featuring a reversible sleeve and a collection of trailers from every Palace Explosive VHS release from the day (a roster that includes such memorable titles as I Spit On Your Grave, Bloodsucking Freaks, Squirm, Night of the Zombies, Cannibal Apocalypse and more).
Definitely a strong contender for DVD release of the year so far. For details on ordering the special VHS/DVD bundle edition click here:
