Combat Shock (1986): Cast & Plot
Combat Shock is a 1986 war thriller starring Rick Giovinazzo as Frankie Dunlan (as Ricky Giovinazzo), Tom Desantis and Veronica Stork. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 37m (97 min)
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Troma Entertainment
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Combat Shock About?
The premise of Combat Shock without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Fifteen years after returning from Vietnam, a deeply scarred veteran wrestles with everyday life. The horrors of combat, Agent Orange exposure and past torture are merely the beginning; the relentless grind of a harsh urban world drives him ever closer to madness.
Combat Shock Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- heroin
- syringe
- iv drug use
- baby in oven
- child in oven
- criminal
- vietnam war veteran
- psychotronic film
- downward spiral
- grindhouse film
- exploitation film
- deformed baby
+38 more Show fewer
- b movie
- midnight movie
- graphic violence
- intense violence
- child prostitution
- ptsd post traumatic stress disorder
- intestines
- child prostitute
- glass smashed onto someone's head
- addiction
- waiting in line
- f word
- body horror
- veteran
- vietnam
- cult film
- splatterpunk
- ends with death
- haunted by the past
- sad ending
- unhappy ending
- tragic ending
- tragedy
- tragic villain
- villain as protagonist
- shootout
- revolver
- combat shock
- main character shot
- death of protagonist
- shell shock
- pistol
- extreme film
- new york city
- urban decay
- tromaesque
- low budget film
- flashback
Combat Shock Cast & Characters
Rick Giovinazzo leads the cast as Frankie Dunlan (as Ricky Giovinazzo), with Tom Desantis as Man Behind Frankie and Veronica Stork as Cathy Dunlan.
- Rick Giovinazzo as Frankie Dunlan (as Ricky Giovinazzo)
- Tom Desantis as Man Behind Frankie
- Veronica Stork as Cathy Dunlan
- Mitch Maglio as Paco - Gang Leader
Also Starring in Combat Shock
· 36 more- Buddy Giovinazzo Social Worker (as Carmine Giovinazzo)
- Eddie Pepitone Terry - Strung-Out Junkie (as Ed Pepitone)
- Nick Nasta Morbe - Gang Member
- Asaph Livni Labo - Gang Member
- Michael Tierno Mike - Junkie
- Arthur Saunders Pimp
- Lori Labar Lead Prostitute / Vietnamese Woman
- Jim Cooney Interogating GI
- Ray Pinero Welfare Worker
- Leo Lunney Frankie's Father
- Martin Blank Doctor
- Bob Mireau Security Guard
- Nancy Zawada Girl on Motorcycle
- Brendan Tesoriero Weird Guy
- Mary Cristadoro Mary - Mugging Victim
- Dean Mercil Passerby
Show all 40 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Colette Geraci Prostitute
- Janet Ramage Prostitute
- Melissa Tait Young Prostitute
- Stacey Tait Young Prostitute
- Ginny Cattano Vietnamese Woman
- Doo Kim Vietnamese Man
- Claire Harnedy Nurse
- Howie Murphy Passerby
- Bobby Giovinazzo Passerby (as Bobby G)
- Tom Devito Passerby
- Vincent Petrizzo Bum
- Yan Lai Vietcong Soldier
- Leif Vetland Vietcong Soldier
- Jeff Mathes Passerby
- Ralph Cordero Man Pushing Wheelchair (uncredited)
- Jerry Giovinazzo Prisoner of War (uncredited)
- Don Loftin
- Jimmy May
- Barry McBride
- Joe Loach
Combat Shock Plot Summary
What happens in Combat Shock from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Frankie Dunlan, Frankie Dunlan, a Vietnam War veteran, runs alone through the jungle in a memory-drenched opening, and his narration reveals that he “goes back there every night.” He then wakes up in a rundown New York apartment, where he lies beside his wife Cathy Dunlan and their deformed infant son. The couple argue over Frankie’s unemployment and the baby’s health, with Frankie convinced the deformities stem from chemical weapons used during the war.
Full summary
The whole story of Combat Shock, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Combat Shock?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the Vietnam War veteran who is the film's main character?
Combat Shock Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “Контузия” and “After Vietnam”.
- Also known as
-
- Контузия
- After Vietnam
- Powojenny szok
- Fuerza en combate
- American Nightmares
- Combat Shock (Fuerza en combate)
- Боевой Шок
- 美国梦魇
- Šokující návrat
Seen Combat Shock?
Movies Like Combat Shock
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Shocking Dark, Cannibal Apocalypse and Kill Crazy.
Combat Shock FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, cast and post-credit scenes of Combat Shock, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Combat Shock?
Combat Shock runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).
When was Combat Shock released?
Combat Shock was released on May 1, 1986.
Who is in the cast of Combat Shock?
Combat Shock stars Rick Giovinazzo as Frankie Dunlan (as Ricky Giovinazzo), Tom Desantis as Man Behind Frankie and Veronica Stork as Cathy Dunlan, among 40 credited actors.
Does Combat Shock have a post-credit scene?
No. Combat Shock has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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