Cop Killers: Collector's Edition – MVD Classics (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1977
Director: Walter R. Cichy
Writers: Howard Ziehm, Walter R. Cichy, Bill Osco
Cast: Jason Williams, Bill Osco, Diane Keller, Michael D. White, Donna Stubbert, Judy Ross

Release Date: December 17th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 92 Minutes 48 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: R
Sound: LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $19.95

"Two desperate criminals unleash a wave of violence after a daring prison escape. With law enforcement hot on their trail, the ruthless duo embarks on a relentless crime spree, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. As the city spirals into chaos, the stakes escalate, leading to a gripping showdown where justice hangs in the balance." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "High Definition presentation".

Cop Killers comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.7 GB

Feature: 21 GB

The source looks like a worn film print; there are emulsion stains, vertical lines, and other debris. Colors look faded, image clarity is generally strong, black levels are serviceable, compression is very good, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 3/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in English with removable English SDH. There are some hissing and pops, dialog sound is constrained, and range-wise, things sound limited.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (1 minute 44 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an archival interview with actor Jason Williams titled Confessions of a Cop Killer (15 minutes 59 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and an archival audio commentary with Jason Williams and moderator Adam Trash.

Other extras are trailers for Knock Off, LA Wars, Kill Zone, Lionheart, Mean Guns, and Sabotage.

Summary:

Two drug smugglers attempt to cross the Mexico/U.S. border with five keys of cocaine; they face an ambush. Instead of giving up, there is a shootout, and when the dust settles, four police officers are now dead. Now wanted men, they are more determined than ever to complete the drug deal, get paid, and escape back across the border.

Cop Killers has a solid opening that does a great job laying the foundation for what follows. An early scene where the two drug smugglers murder four cops does a phenomenal job setting the tone. In the aftermath of the scene, we see clearly who these two men are. Ray is a cold-blooded killer who bullies those weaker than him to get what he wants, and those who resist him end up dead. Alex is a more passive character, and killing is not something he can easily stomach.

About halfway through the narrative, they kidnap a woman named Karen. Her presence becomes a problem when she befriends Alex, which drives a wedge between him and Alex. Though Alex starts to care for her, he does his best to keep Ray at bay; it is clear that her only goal is to escape. The longer Alex and Ray stay on the road, the further they grow apart as paranoia starts getting the better of both of them.

Cop Killers' bleak tone is relentless; there is rarely a moment to catch your breath, and the body count rises with each new person they encounter. Ray is responsible for all but one of the killings. Impulses drive him; no one is safe from his rage. The most mean-spirited moment is a scene where Ray torments and kills an ice cream man. That said, all the murders are bloody and graphic, with a few point-blank gunshots to the face.

Though the narrative and the performances are lacking, Cop Killers’ positives outweigh its negatives. Cop Killers is a film that relies heavily on shocking the viewer, so it should not come as a surprise that moments of violence are where it excels the most. The most memorable moment is a car chase throughout the desert that culminates with a bloody finale where Ray and Alex make their last stand against the police. Ultimately, Cop Killers is a product of its time that fans of 1970s exploitation cinema will get the most out of.

MVD Classics gives Cop Killers a release that’s on par with its previous home media releases.

Written by Michael Den Boer