William Shatner in IMPULSE (1974)
Grindhouse Releasing

A lot can be said about William Shatner. He’s had a career that’s spanned over eight decades and at ninety-two years old, he’s still out there making movies, appearing on television. As of 2021, Shatner is considered the oldest man to ever venture into space. He’s also delivered some performances people will never forget, such as the groundbreaking role of Captain James T. Kirk on Star Trek and his spoken word rendition of the song “Rocket Man” on the 1978 Science Fiction Film Awards show. His role in the 1974 horror/thriller Impulse should be added to that list. Grindhouse Releasing gives director William Grefé’s film the premium treatment, and it’s long overdue.

Matt Stone (William Shatner) is a con man who likes to seduce women and trick them out of their money before killing them. Then he meets Ann (Jennifer Bishop), a widow who quickly falls for his charms and his con. Things seem to be going in his favor until he meets Tina (Kim Nicholas), Ann’s daughter. She immediately feels there’s something off with Matt and confirms her suspicions. Tina tries getting people to see what she sees, but everyone seems to be under his spell. Eventually, Ann’s world is about to spiral completely out of control, and Tina will do whatever she can to stop it.

This film features a classic William Shatner. He’s the bad guy and goes completely bonkers in the film. His performance is worth every penny and is certainly the main attraction. The movie itself is decent enough, but the performance makes the movie. It’s also of note that his co-star is none other than Harold Sakata, who played Oddjob from the James Bond classic Goldfinger (1964). His name in Impulse is just as memorable: Karate Pete.

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The editing is a bit awkward at times, but there are several moments that are truly memorable, including the car wash sequence and the notorious insult of a larger woman. It’s a film truly deserving of its cult film status, and I’m happy to have finally seen the whole thing.

The two-disc release is packed with some really interesting bonus features like the in-depth interview with director William Grefé, Kingdom of the Shatner: a William Shatner live appearance from 2022, interview with producer and make-up artist Doug Hobart, interview with art director Roger Carlton Sherman, commentary by Grefé, a haunting alternate French soundtrack, liner notes from Jacques Boyreau, rare treasures from Grefé’s cinematic vault, still galleries, trailers, and more. No stone was left unturned, and the 4K restoration looks pretty spectacular. Just go on YouTube and compare the clips Grindhouse Releasing uploaded to the previous transfers; it’s like night and day.

If you can get your hands on a copy of Impulse, don’t hesitate. You don’t want to miss Shatner at his best in this highly underrated cult extravaganza.

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William Shatner in IMPULSE (1974)
Grindhouse Releasing

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