Turkey Shoot
a.k.a. Blood Camp Thatcher / Escape 2000
1982 · Directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith · Australia
Turkey Shoot (1982), aka Blood Camp Thatcher, is a seminal Ozploitation action thriller directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith. A convicted freedom fighter played by Steve Railsback (Lifeforce) and an innocent prisoner played by Olivia Hussey (Black Christmas) are sent to re-education Camp 47 for “deviants”. They try to survive the sadistic camp master Charles Thatcher (Michael Craig) and his head guard Ritter (Roger Ward).
The camp motto is:
Freedom is obedience, obedience is work, work is life.
Anybody who disobeys is met with extreme cruelty, and punishments are lethal. Thatcher organises a game of hunting the “deviants” for rich and influential clients. One of the clients brings along a cannibalistic troglodyte called Alph. I am sure it made sense when they wrote it.
Brian May, not the one from Queen, provides a score of sometimes jaunty, bouncy synth, staccato stabs and booming percussion, which fits the pace of the film when the hunt is under way.
Intended as a satire on corporate fascism, it has earned its place as one of the most notorious films in the Ozploitation canon. Critics described it as “a vomitous offering” and “a catalogue of sickening horrors”.
It was released in UK cinemas with 1 minute and 18 seconds of compulsory cuts made by the BBFC to secure an 18 rating. When submitted for video release in 1993, it faced further cuts of 5 minutes and 41 seconds. Only in 2003 was the film released in its entirety.
For fans of bloody dystopian dramas where good taste is left at the camp gate.
Gallery
Trailer
From the score
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Brian May – Main Title / Radio Freedom