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A knockout feature debut from South African-born filmmaker Daniel J. Harris, "The Bible and Gun Club" boasts a different breed of men in black in an original ensemble comedy-satire with consistently superior dialogue, excellent black-and-white imagery and nearly flawless performances from a cast of unknowns.

An award winner at the 1997 Slamdance and Locarno festivals, "Gun Club" screened in the Los Angeles area as part of the American Cinematheque's "The Alternative Screen" series and might talk its way into a deserved distribution deal.

Producer-writer-director Harris spins a bizarre tale of five middle-aged salesmen who peddle deluxe editions of the Bible and an array of lethal weapons, from "pansy poppers" to shotguns. "We believe in a well-armed and well-read family," says ex-L.A. cop Phil (Don Yanan) to a customer, and these out-of-shape rednecks are good at their job.

The loosely plotted scenario follows the Anaheim chapter of the national Bible and Gun Club on its fateful trip to Las Vegas for a convention. Led by Korean War veteran Bill (Al Schuermann), the group includes unpredictable Phil and his depressed partner Stan (Andy Kallok), ex-pro golfer Mike Julian Ott) and old-timer Sidney (Robert Blumenthal), the one "kike" in the gang.

In scene after twisted scene, Harris and the cast delve further into the American experience by way of fundamentalist gangsters cashing in on militia-era paranoia, fighting over trailer parks and running wild in Glitter Gulch. Along with the principal losers, there is a lively bunch of lowlifes and bit players all beautifully captured in their seediness and vulnerability by Alex Vendler with evocative cinema verite camerawork.

Delivering a sincere pitch for the Bible, Alfred Vass as a legitimately religious person addressing the troops is memorable, and Tom "TR" Richards plays the club's godfather with grace and intelligence. From witty scenes on the golf course to a close encounter with porn stars, including Harris playing a prima donna director of adult videos, "Gun Club" is a crazy ride that comes to an abrupt end, but it's entertaining and challenging.

As the bloated, prejudiced leads, Harris' fearless cast couldn't be better, with Yanan and Schuermann (a former door-to-door insurance salesman) making the biggest impressions. Harris ("The Simpsons", "The Ren & Stimpy Show") manages to say a great deal about American culture in the 1990s without preaching, and he shows a rare talent for both comedic and dramatic writing.

THE BIBLE AND GUN CLUB

Big in Vegas Pictures

Producer-writer-director: Daniel J. Harris

Executive producers: Ariel Perets, Pierre Sevigny

Director of photography: Alex Vendler

Editor: Christopher Hink

Music: Shawn Patterson

Production designer: Dominique Blaskovich

Black & white/stereo

Cast:

Stan: Andy Kallok

Phil: Don Yanan

Bill: Al Schuermann

Mike: Julian Ott

Sidney: Robert Blumenthal

Father Dent: Alfred Vass

Jack Ford: Tom "TR" Richards

Running time - 87 minutes

No MPAA rating...