Review of The Tormentors

1/10
Nazi Bikers Battle Jesus!
21 July 2003
I had long admired the bad film work of David L. Hewitt ever since seeing The Wizard of Mars, Journey to the Center of Time, and the Mighty Gorga, but I have never heard of this masterwork until checking under his name on this database. Because, then I learned he "Directed" this film under another name, "Boris Eagle" and I suspect he was also the "Director" of photography "Charles Hawk" (bird thing going). I was so happy when I found a used DVD on ebay (it had a limited release in 2001 from a DVD label in Wisconsin). My life has been much richer since I have seen this late 60's masterwork of twisted bad cinema (the box says its from 1971, but given the EXTREME low budgets used by Hewitt it could have set on the shelf for awhile before release, my best guess is that it was shot a couple of years before that in 1969 around the time of the Mighty Gorga). It features cast members also used in the Mighy Gorga including the witchdoctor, Bruce Kimball (aka Kemp)and grade Z star Anthony Eisley (also from 1969).

The plot is world class twisted. A gang of Nazis, lead by "B. Rockwell Kemp" (George Lincoln Rockwell was a famous American Nazi in the 1960')played by Bruce Kimball (aka Kemp). For more cliche effect the Nazis ride motorcycles and rob a bank. They kill a young girl (by strangling her with a Swastika arm band) and her fiance finds out and wants revenge. He goes to a really funny head shop and is told he can find the Nazis hanging out at the local love in (of course, where else?). Also hanging out at the love in is a badly dubbed Jesus character named "The Messiah." He gives some "hip" sermons and the hippies all follow him much to the anger of the Nazis and B. Rockwell Kemp's boss (a drunk looking) James Craig (who was a real actor and must have needed money). He decides the Nazis must kill Jesus because then all the hippies would follow the Nazis instead (makes sense, right?).

The avenging fiance of the girl killed in the Nazi bank roberry joins the Nazis, finds out about the Jesus murder plot and calls his friend at the police. The police arrest Jesus for safekeeping but the Nazis bale him out and kill him on a conveniently located cross. The fiance continues to pose as a Nazi but eventually they find out and the whole thing ends in battle. Meanwhile we are treated to scenes of wild Nazi parties and orgies in their compound which is full of young Nazi babes. Music is by Rudy and The Love Slaves. This film a master piece of its kind. A great find for a bad film lover. Will all the attention going to someone like Ed Wood, remember there were others whose work was on that level and like Wood, Hewitt has a twisted style which can be strangely endearing. If nothing else its worth watching for Bruce Kimball's (aka Kemp)incredible performance as B. Rockwell Kemp. Marvel at his ever changing "German" accent (check him out in the Mighty Gorga and you will be sold). This film is bad classic and should received more attention. It made a significant impression on me.
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