Jack Marino And John Lebert Presents Director David A. Prior’s Killzone As It Gets "Rewind Collection" Status From MVD Entertainment Group For A Blu-ray Push On June 13

He did the unthinkable, he shot the first slasher film on tape.  Not film.  Not even 16mm.

It was the early 1980s (1983 to be exact) and there was this new thing called home video (VHS) that was taking hold (a revolution) and filmmakers could see a whole new market that didn’t necessarily require a theatrical launch of their film productions.   Direct to Video was born.

If you want to see how revolutionary such a concept was, watch director Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights, which deals with the adult film industry and the transition from the purity of shot-of-film to shot-on-video.

So, who was this heathen?   None other than prolific filmmaker David A. Prior.   The film in question was Sledgehammer, which was a VHS standout, shot on video, which — over the years — has obtained something of a cult status.  It was his first film.

MVD Entertainment Group announced this past week that Prior’s follow-up film, Kill Zone (aka: Killzone) which was shot on 35mm and, get this, released theatrically in 1985, has been given “Rewind Collection” status for distribution as both Blu-ray and DVD editions on June 13.   

He had successfully parlayed Sledgehammer into his first theatrical release.

It’s a training camp for soldiers that zeros-in on how to survive a POW situation.   It is euphemistically called “Scare Camp,” and the goal is to toughen the “class members” up … make them survivalist.  

Jason (Fritz Matthews — Deadly Prey, Born Killer, Deadliest Prey), a Vietnam vet, is part of the exercise, but he becomes triggered when the class training triggers flashbacks of his wartime experiences.   He snaps.  He’s suddenly back in the jungle and everyone is an enemy … they must DIE!!

Colonel Crawford (played by David Campbell — Deadly Prey, Twisted Justice, The Killing Machine) makes a snap decision.   Jason must die, and this egregious lapse in the training protocol must be covered up!

The war is on … the one for Jason that never ended!

Bonus goodies include commentary with producer and co-writer Jack Marino, with commentary moderated by “Cereal at Midnight” host Heath Holland, the featurette titled “The Making of Kill Zone” and the Vestron Video VHS version viewing option.