Starring - Steve Railsback (Ed Gein, Lifeforce), Olivia Hussey (Black Christmas, Psycho IV: The Beginning), and Michael Craig (Tales of the Unexpected, Last Rites)
Release Date - 1982
Genre - Action/Horror
Tagline - "In the year 2000, the game is hunting...and the people are the prey"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Umbrella Entertainment has been opening my eyes in recent years to ozploitation films. Their Ozploitation Classics line has been a lot of fun and has really opened my eyes to the amazing Australian films that often go unnoticed. Several weeks ago Umbrella announced the release of the 1982 action horror film Turkey Shoot as part of their Ozploitation line on blu. I had never seen this film but considering my love for films like Battle Royale, Surviving the Game, The Condemned, and Running Man I knew I would absolutely love this Steve Railsback and Olivia Hussey lead film. I quickly reached out to Umbrella and they were kind enough to send a review copy my way.
The film is set in an alternative year 2000 where everyone is forced into hard labor while those that question the way things are will be sent to reeducation camps to be taught how to be a hard worker. We follow a group of prisoners in one of these camps that are hand selected by the wealthy to participate in a hunt. They are given one day to survive the hunt and if they do they are given their freedom but the hunt is rigged against them as the elite show up with specially designed weapons and vehicles that make hunting their prey so much easier.
I was looking forward to Turkey Shoot and I have to admit that it did not disappoint. It was exactly what I had hoped for with some added surprises. It's not like other Ozploitation flicks but the story and acting works at making this one a film that will stick with you long after watching it. The acting in this one is great for the type of film it is. The movie is a little campy at times but the cast does a great job. I really enjoyed the characters and seeing Steve Railsback not tackled Ed Gein is always a delight. HE's a fantastic actor and he shows this one again here. I'm a huge fan of Olivia Hussey's after I was introduced to her after watching the Christmas slasher classic Black Christmas. She hasn't appeared in many other genre efforts so I'm ashamed that this is a first time watch for me. She's beautiful and I fucking loved her performance here. She goes through an emotional range and all of her scenes felt genuine. The supporting cast is just as great with so many cast members going above and beyond to bring their characters to life. The story for this one is a lot of fun but does feel goofy at times. I love films where humans hunt humans. It's a primal type of story that works especially when its under the false guise of bettering humanity like in The Purge. Turkey Shoot does a great job at showing the line between the wealthy and powerful, along with the people that work and support them, and the people that are enslaved or imprisoned that are forced to flee for their life as human prey. The film does start out a bit slow but gains ground slowly but surely. With that being said, there is some seriously goofy moments that does change the tone of the film but are still enjoyable. We have an ape-like creature with superhuman strength, a posh female aristocrat that uses a crossbow with a bevy of different crossbow bolts, and cliched late 70s and early 80s characters that were cherry picked from other popular films. It's enjoyable but out of place at times. Finally, the film does have some blood and some make-up effects but don't expect to find a ton of gore. The kills are quick and not that enjoyable but they do fit in with the film very well. Overall, Turkey Shoot is a fantastic ozploitation film that doesn't really offer up something new or inventive but it is a lot of fun. If you dig movies where people are hunted like game then this one will be right up your alley. The blu release from Umbrella looks gorgeous and a fantastic addition to any collection.
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