Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Deadly Daphne's Revenge Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 25, 2018

It’s never a smart move to believe marketing efforts from Troma Films. They’re not a studio known for their integrity, frequently using any means necessary to squeeze a few bucks out of potential viewers. 1987’s “Deadly Daphne’s Revenge” (actually shot in 1979 and titled “The Hunting Season” on the Blu-ray) is notable for featuring very little Deadly Daphne during its run time. Sure, she’s seeking revenge, but the emphasis of the title and the horror come-on of the cover art suggests a thorough genre exercise to come. Instead, “Deadly Daphne’s Revenge” is more of a legal program from the 1970s, offering only a single scene pertaining to the titular villain’s personal war. It’s a big time switcheroo, used to help a tepid drama sneak through horror hound interest filters, promising them carnage, but delivering mostly banal conversations.

Headed out for the hunting trip, Charlie (Anthony Holt) is bringing along his brother, Steve (Richard Gardener), and friends Bobo and Bruce. The plan for a manly weekend of beer and killing is disrupted by 17-year-old Cindy (Laurie Tait Partridge), a hitchhiker who accepts Charlie’s offer of a ride. However, instead of heading to their intended destination, Charlie makes an overnight stop at his cabin, with hopes to start a party with the guys and the defenseless traveler. The revelry divides the gang, with Steve particularly sensitive to Cindy’s needs, ending up sleeping with the teenager after they bond. Charlie doesn’t stand for such kindness, soon raping Cindy with Bobo, while Bruce remains out of sight. The next morning, Cindy gets away and files a police report, commencing a long legal war among the four men. And somewhere in the woods, Daphne (Candy Castillo), Charlie’s crazed, murderous ex, waits for her chance to kill the man that ruined her life.

Daphne has almost nothing to do with “Deadly Daphne’s Revenge,” with her appearances regulated to the opening minute of the movie, and the last ten minutes. She’s not a crude Troma addition to the feature, but an idea worked loosely into the screenplay (by Tim Bennett and Richard Gardner, who also directs), serving as a last-minute descent into violence while the rest of the picture mostly deals with the legal entanglements of Cindy’s case, which involves substantial lawyering and games of paranoia, especially with Charlie. Why this subplot is here is anyone’s guess, but it certainly seems like Gardner was trying to goose the material with exploitation interests to help snap it out of its slumber.

A racist, sexist, generally evil dude, Charlie is the antagonist of “Deadly Daphne’s Revenge,” and he’s a triumphantly loathsome character. Of course, nobody is a saint in the effort, which explores peer pressure and sexual violence, and the screenplay even tries to make an argument for statutory rape, coming very close to blaming Cindy for the whole mess. It’s ugly stuff, but Gardner doesn’t keep up any energy. After the opening nightmare with Cindy’s violation, “Deadly Daphne’s Revenge” loses interest in visceral events, preferring to fully smooth out into an episode of Quinn Martin television, complete with melodramatic performances, persistent scoring stings, fade-outs aplenty, and a few ludicrous turns of plot, including Charlie visiting a local gangster to hire a hitman, eager to kill Cindy before she can hit the witness stand. All that’s missing is Barnaby Jones or Cannon waltzing into the frame, easily shredding these morons.

Deadly Daphne's Revenge Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation delivers a pleasingly clear viewing experience for "Deadly Daphne's Revenge," which is largely shot with bright lighting, giving detail a chance to really shine here. Textures are recognized with facial particulars, offering a direct view of the actors, and locations retain depth. Costumes are fibrous as well. Primaries are commanding here, with nice bold blues and reds, finding the crimson cabin carpeting a particular highlight. Clothing delivers appealing period hues. Delineation is sharp and true. Grain is fine and filmic. Source is in satisfactory shape, with most damage issues in the first reel, which works through some jumpy frames and scratches. Mild judder is detected throughout.

Deadly Daphne's Revenge Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix maintains good consistency with dialogue exchanges, which reach as far as original recording efforts allow (tech credits are iffy). Shouted performances blend well with softer communication, picking up on intimacies. Scoring is supportive, securing the mood with musical exaggeration and decent instrumentation. Sound effects are blunt but capable, amplifying violent encounters.

Deadly Daphne's Revenge Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (11:33, SD) with Jody Jaress is a light conversation about "Deadly Daphne's Revenge," which the actress only had a small role in. Vinegar Syndrome's request for a chat actually inspired a first watch for Jaress, who seems slightly mortified by the movie, but remains happy about the shooting experience, even pointing out a few deleted scenes involving her character. Jaress recalls time with co-star Anthony Holt and shares her perspective on Richard Gardner, who, as a director, was easily overwhelmed by the process. The thespian strives to remain chipper about her association with the film, though she seems as befuddled about the end product as everyone else.

• Alternate Opening Title Sequence (1:00, HD) delivers the altered "Deadly Daphne's Revenge" brand Troma slapped on the picture.

• Isolated Score by John Banning is included.

• Still Gallery (2:14) is a fascinating peek at Gardner's work to put "Deadly Daphne's Revenge" together, with newspaper clippings tracking efforts to entice investors (promising a 12-million-dollar box office gross for the movie) and use of his South Coast Actors Studio as a way to cast the picture. Local stories about the production are shared, along with VHS covers.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Deadly Daphne's Revenge Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Without a proper threading of Daphne's rage, the climatic bluntness of "Deadly Daphne's Revenge" is more bizarre than satisfying. However, at least there's something here to close out the movie, which is largely uneventful and conversational, though entertainment value is there for fans of crude acting and harsh characterization. "Deadly Daphne's Revenge" is not a drive-in spectacular or a VHS treasure. It's more of a curiosity from Gardner, who apparently wanted to make a distinct impression with his directorial debut, creating three films for the price of one.