Description:
A troubled, drug-addicted Vietnam vet, haunted by flashbacks of the war, is driven to the breaking point on the crime-filled streets of New York. Ricky Giovinazzo stars in filmmaker brother Buddy's violent and sordid tale of urban alienation and a man on the edge of sanity. Two-disc set includes both "American Nightmares" (the original director's cut) and the edited version retitled "Combat Shock." 100 min./92 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Top 10 GREATEST Underground Films of the 1980s!!!
The history of this film is a bit confusing and despite the fact that other reviewers have already discussed this I feel it deserves repeating. For the past 25 years fans of underground horror films, disturbing indie films, cult classics, etc. have referred to this film as both AMERICAN NIGHTMARES(those of us who saw grainy bootleg VHS copies in the 80s often saw it under this title) and its eventual domestic release title COMBAT SHOCK. The two versions ARE different. Quite substantially different actually. Which is why when Troma released this 25th Anniversary 2-DVD Edition it literally made me jump for joy! Finally, both versions (Buddy Giovinazzo's Director's Cut: AMERICAN NIGHTMARES and the theatrical cut: COMBAT SHOCK)can be viewed and examined side by side, something which only enhances my belief that this film(despite which version you view) is easily one of the Top 10 underground/indie films of the 80s and is arguably the blackest, bleakest, most disturbing indictment of Reaganomics-era America ever made. Despite its low budget, AMERICAN NIGHTMARES is an artistic masterpiece, albeit horrifying beyond belief. This is one instance where a film TRULY lives up to its reputation! The story of a poverty-stricken Vietnam veteran with severe PTSD(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), his wife and deformed, mutated Agent Orange effected child trying to survive in the wastelands of urban America is unrelenting and unforgettable. This is NOT an exploitation film! Director Buddy Giovinazzo(who also wrote the legendary book "Life Is Hot In Cracktown" which he eventually made a successful film version of) had a lot to say about 80s American society. In many ways this film was SO ahead of its time in regards to dealing with the issue of AMERICA's post-Vietnam PTSD and the joke and distraction which was Reagan's vision for America. Unfortunately, this film will NEVER receive the respect it deserves because it is just too shocking. This is the ONLY film I have WARNED a person about before viewing. Once you view it, you will NOT be able to forget it. It is NOT just some FUN gore movie...which is exactly why I feel it stands so tall as an artistic achievement. In its stark realism and unrelenting horror this film has a similar vibe to HENRY:PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER or Jim VanBebber's short film MY SWEET SATAN as well as moments of his classic DEADBEAT AT DAWN. COMBAT SHOCK's unrelenting realism is also very similar in tone to VanBebber's THE MANSON FAMILY. Also, Lustig's 1980 classic MANIAC comes to mind particularly in its visual tone(both MANIAC and COMBAT SHOCK being shot in NYC or New Jersey slum districts). But NO DOUBT, COMBAT SHOCK/AMERICAN NIGHTMARES is its own film and highly original! From the editing to the creepy narration to the amazing urban landscapes, to the unforgettably disturbing conclusion, this film is truly an AMERICAN NIGHTMARE! Thankfully, it is finally available with tons of additional material including an excellent documentary and several other Giovinazzo short films, remastered, and through this release may inch closer towards gaining a long-lasting respect as a classic underground film.
4.0 out of 5 stars One of the Bleakest Movies Ever
When this movie was made in the 1980s, the phrase "post-traumatic stress disorder" or PTSD, hadn't become widely used. But the main character clearly has it. So it's hard not to feel sorry for this severely traumatized Vietnam vet who can't find steady work, has a family to support, owes money, and sees that he has nowhere to turn. His pleas for help consistently fall on deaf ears.It's a gut-wrenching experience to watch this movie. It explores the psychological aftermath of war in ways that other films don't. There's nothing upbeat in it. Who ever said that movies had to have a happy ending? No matter how tough your life is, it will make you grateful for what you have.
5.0 out of 5 stars Too close for comfort...
This is not a polished big budget film with wonderful acting so do not expect it to be. That aside, it was like watching an extreme dramatization of my transition from the US Army Paratroops to the civilian nightmare I had returned to on the north shore of Staten Island during the 1970's. Way too close for comfort! I walked the same Port Richmond streets, the same fields, the same train stations. Avoided unsavory people like the nasty ones in the movie. I stood in the line at the same unemployment office, the clerk told me about the same lines in real life that the clerk character spoke. Obviously I didn't do up the same finale as the main character did. But the thought......and I knew other vets back then and there who didn't make it....this movie is entirely disturbing. I cannot say I think this is a great film. However, I lived a good part of it, and it reminded me how bad it was then and how fortunate I am today for surviving and thriving.
5.0 out of 5 stars Must see for independent B rate movie lover
This movie is not gor everyone...... it is a troma movie but it is not as goofy as toxie or nukem high. However ......it does have troma qualities. The baby is reminiscent of eraserhead and the story is surprisingly deep. Really one of the first movies to look at PTSD. The soundtrack is bizarre but, i love it. There are glimpses of great pratical effects. Overall if you are reading this....give it a watch. If had enough interest to look this far, you will enjoy it
One of cinema’s most important movies
Combat Shock proves it’s not about budget,it’s about story telling. This made for virtually no money movie is an experience that hits hard unlike anything from that time..it’s not about gore or as they say “video nasty” it’s a character study of a day in a Vietnam vets life when there’s no more ways out. Honestly take my word for it no movie fan should miss this one..it’s now on my twenty five movies every fan should watch
YOU TALKIN TO ME?
Whats really cool about Arrow's releases of cult titles,goo flicks,cheesy horrors is how by buying one title it can introduce you to another.I first came across director Buddy Giovinazzo in an interview segment on the Street Trash dvd where he was standing by a bin.I had seen Arrows release of Combat Shock whilst i was plunging Bolo for more former vhs marvels but kinda overlooked it thinking it was a Rambo knock off.What it actually is is a gritty,cheap movie concerning an ex vietnamsoldier character based on the band Suicide's terrifying number Frankie Teardrop off their classic debut album.Released in 84 by Troma its a meandering,grubby movie.Put it this way it starts off with flashbacks to Vietnam with half exploded bodies to only get even MORE bleak.Frankie lives in a filthy apartment with a nagging wife and screaming deformed baby,its all very kitchen sink stuff with a great big nod to Eraserhead,the place literally hums with paranoid claustrophobia.Frankie embarks on a day wondering the streets looking for a job bumping into junkies,pimps with the backdrop of a beautifully dilapidated Staten Island,i mean the screen virtually stinks.No one looks like they have seen the inside of a bathroom for a year or two.I really liked the soundtrack....the clamped out car alarm style synths.Buddy made this movie whilst still a film student so it is very basic but what redeems the film is the potency of the story,its rather serious subtext of what traumatised soldiers come back to and where they go.Its a film that whilst there are wars can stay relevant.Some of the narration is hamfisted but i always try to see the ideas rather then the execution.Especially in a movie with budget limitations.I would say the deformed baby may have been a mistake,it would have been infinitely more powerful if the baby wasn't.Arrow have added a few nice extras,i really enjoyed seeing Buddy's early shorts including Mr.Robbie with Maniacs Joe Spinell and Jonathan Of The Night.You got a really good documentary that unfortunately is only half an hour but i love seeing the assorted film fanatics rave and seeing the inimatable Jim Van Bebber chainsmoking.You will already know if you will like Combat Shock.For me it was a curiosity piece which has its place.I like Buddy Giovinazzo hes a cool bloke,i recently read a novel he wrote called High Times In Crack City which was cool.More please Arrow...
Excellent movie under the Troma label
Excellent movie under the Troma label, known for excellent 80's shlock-fests such as Toxic Avenger, Class of Nuke 'em High and Surf Nazis Must Die. However, this film takes a more depressing turn than the other movies.
Five Stars
Everything good product seeled .
Gritty and Odd
This movie was a slow burn for sure but if your willing to stick it out.The ending will be on your mind for days.it nothing like a troma film.
Visit the Troma Store
Combat Shock
AED15816
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
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Visit the Troma Store
Combat Shock
AED15816
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
A troubled, drug-addicted Vietnam vet, haunted by flashbacks of the war, is driven to the breaking point on the crime-filled streets of New York. Ricky Giovinazzo stars in filmmaker brother Buddy's violent and sordid tale of urban alienation and a man on the edge of sanity. Two-disc set includes both "American Nightmares" (the original director's cut) and the edited version retitled "Combat Shock." 100 min./92 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Top 10 GREATEST Underground Films of the 1980s!!!
The history of this film is a bit confusing and despite the fact that other reviewers have already discussed this I feel it deserves repeating. For the past 25 years fans of underground horror films, disturbing indie films, cult classics, etc. have referred to this film as both AMERICAN NIGHTMARES(those of us who saw grainy bootleg VHS copies in the 80s often saw it under this title) and its eventual domestic release title COMBAT SHOCK. The two versions ARE different. Quite substantially different actually. Which is why when Troma released this 25th Anniversary 2-DVD Edition it literally made me jump for joy! Finally, both versions (Buddy Giovinazzo's Director's Cut: AMERICAN NIGHTMARES and the theatrical cut: COMBAT SHOCK)can be viewed and examined side by side, something which only enhances my belief that this film(despite which version you view) is easily one of the Top 10 underground/indie films of the 80s and is arguably the blackest, bleakest, most disturbing indictment of Reaganomics-era America ever made. Despite its low budget, AMERICAN NIGHTMARES is an artistic masterpiece, albeit horrifying beyond belief. This is one instance where a film TRULY lives up to its reputation! The story of a poverty-stricken Vietnam veteran with severe PTSD(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), his wife and deformed, mutated Agent Orange effected child trying to survive in the wastelands of urban America is unrelenting and unforgettable. This is NOT an exploitation film! Director Buddy Giovinazzo(who also wrote the legendary book "Life Is Hot In Cracktown" which he eventually made a successful film version of) had a lot to say about 80s American society. In many ways this film was SO ahead of its time in regards to dealing with the issue of AMERICA's post-Vietnam PTSD and the joke and distraction which was Reagan's vision for America. Unfortunately, this film will NEVER receive the respect it deserves because it is just too shocking. This is the ONLY film I have WARNED a person about before viewing. Once you view it, you will NOT be able to forget it. It is NOT just some FUN gore movie...which is exactly why I feel it stands so tall as an artistic achievement. In its stark realism and unrelenting horror this film has a similar vibe to HENRY:PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER or Jim VanBebber's short film MY SWEET SATAN as well as moments of his classic DEADBEAT AT DAWN. COMBAT SHOCK's unrelenting realism is also very similar in tone to VanBebber's THE MANSON FAMILY. Also, Lustig's 1980 classic MANIAC comes to mind particularly in its visual tone(both MANIAC and COMBAT SHOCK being shot in NYC or New Jersey slum districts). But NO DOUBT, COMBAT SHOCK/AMERICAN NIGHTMARES is its own film and highly original! From the editing to the creepy narration to the amazing urban landscapes, to the unforgettably disturbing conclusion, this film is truly an AMERICAN NIGHTMARE! Thankfully, it is finally available with tons of additional material including an excellent documentary and several other Giovinazzo short films, remastered, and through this release may inch closer towards gaining a long-lasting respect as a classic underground film.
4.0 out of 5 stars One of the Bleakest Movies Ever
When this movie was made in the 1980s, the phrase "post-traumatic stress disorder" or PTSD, hadn't become widely used. But the main character clearly has it. So it's hard not to feel sorry for this severely traumatized Vietnam vet who can't find steady work, has a family to support, owes money, and sees that he has nowhere to turn. His pleas for help consistently fall on deaf ears.It's a gut-wrenching experience to watch this movie. It explores the psychological aftermath of war in ways that other films don't. There's nothing upbeat in it. Who ever said that movies had to have a happy ending? No matter how tough your life is, it will make you grateful for what you have.
5.0 out of 5 stars Too close for comfort...
This is not a polished big budget film with wonderful acting so do not expect it to be. That aside, it was like watching an extreme dramatization of my transition from the US Army Paratroops to the civilian nightmare I had returned to on the north shore of Staten Island during the 1970's. Way too close for comfort! I walked the same Port Richmond streets, the same fields, the same train stations. Avoided unsavory people like the nasty ones in the movie. I stood in the line at the same unemployment office, the clerk told me about the same lines in real life that the clerk character spoke. Obviously I didn't do up the same finale as the main character did. But the thought......and I knew other vets back then and there who didn't make it....this movie is entirely disturbing. I cannot say I think this is a great film. However, I lived a good part of it, and it reminded me how bad it was then and how fortunate I am today for surviving and thriving.
5.0 out of 5 stars Must see for independent B rate movie lover
This movie is not gor everyone...... it is a troma movie but it is not as goofy as toxie or nukem high. However ......it does have troma qualities. The baby is reminiscent of eraserhead and the story is surprisingly deep. Really one of the first movies to look at PTSD. The soundtrack is bizarre but, i love it. There are glimpses of great pratical effects. Overall if you are reading this....give it a watch. If had enough interest to look this far, you will enjoy it
One of cinema’s most important movies
Combat Shock proves it’s not about budget,it’s about story telling. This made for virtually no money movie is an experience that hits hard unlike anything from that time..it’s not about gore or as they say “video nasty” it’s a character study of a day in a Vietnam vets life when there’s no more ways out. Honestly take my word for it no movie fan should miss this one..it’s now on my twenty five movies every fan should watch
YOU TALKIN TO ME?
Whats really cool about Arrow's releases of cult titles,goo flicks,cheesy horrors is how by buying one title it can introduce you to another.I first came across director Buddy Giovinazzo in an interview segment on the Street Trash dvd where he was standing by a bin.I had seen Arrows release of Combat Shock whilst i was plunging Bolo for more former vhs marvels but kinda overlooked it thinking it was a Rambo knock off.What it actually is is a gritty,cheap movie concerning an ex vietnamsoldier character based on the band Suicide's terrifying number Frankie Teardrop off their classic debut album.Released in 84 by Troma its a meandering,grubby movie.Put it this way it starts off with flashbacks to Vietnam with half exploded bodies to only get even MORE bleak.Frankie lives in a filthy apartment with a nagging wife and screaming deformed baby,its all very kitchen sink stuff with a great big nod to Eraserhead,the place literally hums with paranoid claustrophobia.Frankie embarks on a day wondering the streets looking for a job bumping into junkies,pimps with the backdrop of a beautifully dilapidated Staten Island,i mean the screen virtually stinks.No one looks like they have seen the inside of a bathroom for a year or two.I really liked the soundtrack....the clamped out car alarm style synths.Buddy made this movie whilst still a film student so it is very basic but what redeems the film is the potency of the story,its rather serious subtext of what traumatised soldiers come back to and where they go.Its a film that whilst there are wars can stay relevant.Some of the narration is hamfisted but i always try to see the ideas rather then the execution.Especially in a movie with budget limitations.I would say the deformed baby may have been a mistake,it would have been infinitely more powerful if the baby wasn't.Arrow have added a few nice extras,i really enjoyed seeing Buddy's early shorts including Mr.Robbie with Maniacs Joe Spinell and Jonathan Of The Night.You got a really good documentary that unfortunately is only half an hour but i love seeing the assorted film fanatics rave and seeing the inimatable Jim Van Bebber chainsmoking.You will already know if you will like Combat Shock.For me it was a curiosity piece which has its place.I like Buddy Giovinazzo hes a cool bloke,i recently read a novel he wrote called High Times In Crack City which was cool.More please Arrow...
Excellent movie under the Troma label
Excellent movie under the Troma label, known for excellent 80's shlock-fests such as Toxic Avenger, Class of Nuke 'em High and Surf Nazis Must Die. However, this film takes a more depressing turn than the other movies.
Five Stars
Everything good product seeled .
Gritty and Odd
This movie was a slow burn for sure but if your willing to stick it out.The ending will be on your mind for days.it nothing like a troma film.
More from this brand
Similar items from “Drama”
Share with
Or share with link
https://www.bolo.ae/products/UO09F13XME3