Watch This Stuff'll Kill Ya!
- GP
- 1971
- 1 hr 39 min
-
3.8 (392)
This Stuff'll Kill Ya! is a 1971 crime drama film directed by Herschell Gordon Lewis. The movie stars Jeffrey Allen, Tim Holt, and Gloria King, and it tells the story of Reverend Dan Young, a con artist who uses a powerful moonshine recipe to enrich himself and deceive the people of a small Southern town. The film begins by introducing us to Reverend Young, a charming and charismatic preacher who has a dark secret. While on the surface he seems like a man of the cloth, Young is actually a shrewd businessman who has found a way to make a fortune by selling a potent moonshine recipe that he claims has healing properties. The recipe, which he calls "Young's Elixir," not only gets people drunk, but it also cures their ailments and provides them with a sense of religious fulfillment.
Young's scheme works perfectly as he travels from town to town, selling the elixir to eager customers who believe in its healing powers. However, things take a turn when he arrives in a small Southern town where the local sheriff (played by Holt) suspects Young and his associate (King) of being involved in illegal activities.
As the story unfolds, we see how Young's carefully crafted façade slowly starts to crumble as the sheriff and his deputies begin to uncover the truth behind the moonshine operation. The tension builds as the lawmen work to gather enough evidence to bring Young and his accomplices to justice.
Throughout the movie, we are met with a cast of colorful characters, including the sheriff's bumbling but well-intentioned deputies and a host of eccentric townsfolk who are caught up in Young's web of deception. There's also a romantic subplot involving the sheriff's daughter and Young's smooth-talking associate that provides a bit of levity to the otherwise intense story.
One of the most notable things about This Stuff'll Kill Ya! is its graphic depiction of violence and gore. As with many of director Herschell Gordon Lewis's films, the movie contains several scenes of brutal violence that are likely to shock and disturb audiences, particularly those who are unfamiliar with Lewis's style of filmmaking. Despite the gore, however, the film maintains a sense of fun and campiness that is reminiscent of classic exploitation movies from the era.
Another standout aspect of the movie is its soundtrack, which features a catchy and upbeat score that perfectly complemented the film's Southern setting and overall tone.
While This Stuff'll Kill Ya! may not be for everyone, fans of exploitation cinema and grindhouse fare will likely find plenty to enjoy in this Southern-fried crime drama. It's a film that delivers on its promises of violence, sex, and debauchery, while also providing an interesting commentary on the ways in which religion can be used to manipulate people for personal gain. With its relentless pace and over-the-top performances, This Stuff'll Kill Ya! is a true cult classic that has earned its place in the pantheon of exploitation cinema.