Synopsis:

God’s Bloody Acre was directed by Harry Kerwin (Tomcats, Cheering Section). God’s Bloody Acre was producers Wayne Crawford and Andrew Lane’s first collaboration. Some of their more notable collaborations include Valley Girl and Night of the Comet.

This film was made during a time when down and dirty exploitation cinema ruled the drive-ins. And like many films from that era. It provides a time capsule glimpse of a time when subject matter not only pushed boundaries. It often crossed the line. With each new film trying to be more shocking or graphic then the last film.

God’s Bloody Acre is a lesser known entry from the Hixploitation film genre. A genre that rose to prominence after the success of Deliverance. And like some many films from this genre that followed Deliverance. This film was haphazardly thrown together on an anemic budget. In many instances lack of resources is not a fatal blow. In this case of this film, lack of resources is this films least concern. The plot is a mess, the pacing is even worse, the direction often calls attention to itself and the acting is terrible. The biggest problem with the plot is that is fails miserably at intertwining the three separate stories which collide in the final act. Another area where this film shots itself in the foot is how it introduces to many characters that have little bearing on the final outcome. Back to the aforementioned problems with the pacing. If you have the endurance to get through the first acts. The film’s final act is its strongest act. Nearly all the bloodletting and a disturbing rape scene take place during this act. When all is said and done. What do you get if you tried to mix Deliverance with The Hills Have Eyes? You would end up with the bastard inbred child that is God’s Bloody Acre.

The DVD:

This release comes with two ways to watch the film. The first option titled ‘The Grindhouse Version’ which presents the film in an anamorphic widescreen. Before this version there is a disclaimer that due to poor elements supplied by the rights holder. Code red was forced to use a theatrical print for this transfer. And while the source used for this transfer may not be pristine. it is a more than serviceable presentation. This transfer has been flagged for progressive playback. The second option is titled ‘The Collector’s Berne Act Version’ which presents the film is a 4:3 full frame aspect ratio. This version was sourced from a Japanese laserdisc release of the film. This transfer fares worse than the other transfers as colors look muted and the image tends looks murky.

This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital mono mix in English. There is background noise that varies in degree throughout and some mild issues with distortion. Despite these flaws dialog comes through clearly enough to follow.

Extras for this release include interviews with screenwriter / actor / producer Wayne Crawford (24 minutes – anamorphic widescreen) and producer Andrew Lane (13 minutes 21 seconds – 4:3 full frame). Both interviews give detailed accounts of the various aspects of this production and they both also talk about other films that they worked on. Some of the more interesting topics includes how they filmed a tricky death scene in which a worker is chopped in half by the blade of a bulldozer and the rape scene. Other extras include trailers for Family Honor, Tomcats (also produced by Wayne Crawford and Andrew Lane), Trapped, The Carrier, Terminal Island and Mean Johnny Barrows. Overall Code Red gives God’s Blood Acre gets its best release to date.