The Ravager

PIERRE AGOSTINO, a regular in RAY STECKLER projects, stars as Joe...a Vietnam War serviceman who witnesses a girl raped, beaten, and blown to bits, later developing a unique serial killer/rapist identity on returning to the states---- his big thrill is blowing folks up with sticks of dynamite(which he purchases casually over the counter at the local explosives retail shop). Initially, his targets for obliteration are social deviants...sex-crazed juvies, lesbians, and other undesirable misfits of society. Eventually, he broadens his scope, and anyone is fair game, even an innocent housewife and her nine-year-old son. During these acts of violence, among them a memorably nasty barbecued lezzy bit, Joe makes strange, twitchy orgasm faces and sweats profusely. The onscreen action is occasionally punctuated by crummy, royalty-free elevator muzak.

An early entry in the 'Nam vet psycho-killer microgenre(the first probably being the 1967 roughie ODDO), THE RAVAGER was released well ahead of the porn sickie FORCED ENTRY(which is typically recognized as the first). Directed by Charles Nizet, the genius behind HELP ME...I'M POSSESSED and VOODOO HEARTBEAT, this Las Vegas area lensed monstrosity stands tall with the seediest of grindhouse cinema, and features an especially trashy looking cast of amateurs....probably regulars from the dive bar where Nizet bent his elbows.

Trash film mongers will get a bang out of this artless ordure. Something Weird Video's print is extremely worn, but with junk like this, wear, tear, and washout is an enhancement of the experience. 5.5/10.

What is suffering (dukkha)?

Life presents challenges and difficulties, both physically and emotionally.

These challenges can evoke feelings of pain, sadness, or dissatisfaction.

If challenges can cause feelings of pain and sadness, then they are sources of suffering.

Thus, life's challenges are a source of suffering.

Suffering extends beyond mere physical discomfort to include emotional and existential struggles.

If suffering encompasses emotional and existential struggles, then it requires a deeper understanding.

By recognizing suffering, we can begin to understand its causes and seek solutions.

Therefore, understanding the causes of suffering is essential to finding solutions and achieving inner peace.

How to understand the causes of suffering?

To better understand suffering, it is possible to do several simple things:

Carefully observe feelings and experiences.

Offer perspectives on suffering through Buddhist teachings.

Share feelings with others to get advice.

Take moments of calm reflection to understand emotions.

Encourage kindness towards oneself and others.

Following these practices helps achieve a better understanding of suffering and how to overcome it.

But apparently, this is not the path Joe has chosen...

A soldier in Vietnam goes insane after seeing two enemy soldiers brutally raping an innocent woman.As a result he is sent to a hospital for several months and sent back to the U.S.But though released he is not cured and becomes a rapist with a tendency to dynamite couples having sex.Very amateurish and suitably dull Vietnam vet turns into killer exploitation sickie.The opening scene set in Vietnam where two men rape,beat and blow-up a girl with dynamite is supposed to act as the trigger for the killer when he returns to the USA.What follows are several rather tame scenes of rape and murder as the killer attempts to recreate the scene he witnessed in Vietnam.The acting is awful,the nudity is frequent and the quality of my SWV copy is jumpy and worn out.6 out of 10.