CRACK HOUSE is part of our Vinegar Syndrome Archive collection, celebrating forgotten cinematic oddities from the video store era. This collection was inspired by our own brick & mortar video stores, with locations in Bridgeport, CT; Denver, CO and Toronto, ON!
Unique to this line, each hand numbered limited edition release will come fitted in a specially designed, bottom loading VHS inspired slipcase, while also including a double-sided poster.
These releases will ONLY be available on our website and at participating indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them. This spot gloss slipcase edition (designed by Robert Sammelin) is strictly limited to 4,000 units and may (but probably not) be followed by a standard edition in the future.
---
Teenage sweethearts Melissa and Rick are looking forward to graduating high school so they can at last escape the violent inner city neighborhood in which they grew up. Despite trying to distance himself from his past gang affiliations, Rick ends up being thrown into prison after seeking violent vengeance on the rival gang that murdered his cousin. Now alone and left to fend for herself, Melissa is targeted by a charming low-level drug dealer named B.T., who manipulates her into joining his world of sex and drugs. As Melissa’s life begins spiraling out of control, Rick offers to help the police take down a notorious drug kingpin named Steadman in exchange for immunity, but will he be able to save Melissa before she is pulled deeper into a deadly lifestyle from which few can escape?
A violent thriller from lauded genre film director Michael Fischa (Death Spa), CRACK HOUSE presents a gripping examination of life during the height of the crack epidemic in the late 1980s. Featuring compelling performances from first-time actors Cher Butler and Gregg Thomsen in the leading roles of Melissa and Rick, along with supporting performances from acclaimed genre veterans Richard Roundtree (Shaft) and athlete-turned-actor Jim Brown (Slaughter), who offers a memorably sadistic portrayal of brutal drug kingpin Steadman. Vinegar Syndrome Archive is proud to present this tough-as-nails urban action rarity for the first time on Blu-ray, newly restored and graded under the supervision of cinematographer Arledge Armenaki and presented in its never-on-video original version, featuring extended sequences of violence and nudity.
directed by: Michael Fischa starring: Richard Roundtree, Jim Brown, Gregg Thomsen, Anthony Geary, Angel Tompkins, Cher Butler 1989 / 95 min / 1.85:1 / English DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo
Additional info:
Region A Blu-ray
Scanned and restored in 2K from its 35mm interpositive
"Shooting Crack House" (13 min) - an interview with cinematographer Arledge Armenaki
"Gang Territory" (10 min) - an interview with actor Gregg Thomsen
"Hitting the Streets" (4 min) - the locations of Crack House
Reversible sleeve artwork
English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.58156 / 5 from 282 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
Crack House, part of the Vinegar Syndrome Archive collection, offers a gripping examination of life during the height of the crack epidemic in the late 1980s. Customers praised the top-notch packaging, realistic appearance, and excellent transfer quality. The film's action and performances were highly commended, though opinions on the overall movie were mixed.
Summary topics
Packaging Quality (7%): Customers expressed satisfaction with the top-notch packaging and presentation of the film, as well as the superb picture and audio quality.
Film Vibe (5%): Customers raved about the vibe, describing it as cool, great, awesome, sleazy, and solid.
Product Appearance (9%): It was highlighted by customers that the product looks great and has a realistic and juicy appearance.
Release Quality (10%): Customers keep praising the release, with many describing it as excellent, great, and fitting.
Film Enjoyment (7%): Customers keep praising the flick, describing it as a great action flick that's super fun.
"Authentic shooting locations and some good amateur actors makes this highly entertaining film." — Pasi R.
"What a great flick and package - I love the poster that was included!!" — David M.
"The art work is awsome and the transfer looks good." — Curtis F.
Reviews
I automatically buy anything in the filmography of The Cannon Group!
"For my full detailed review of Crack House, see my entry on Letterboxd: @M4N14K The Cannon Group can do no wrong! I viewed this film on the Crack House Vinegar Syndrome Archive Blu-ray Limited Edition physical media release and it is the same great premium level of packaging and presentation that you’ve come to expect from the generic releases of this boutique label. No other brand beats Vinegar Syndrome at the cardboard game and this great slipcover is no exception to the consistently fantastic artwork and component quality this company produces."
— Michael B. (5/5)
Love It
"The slipcover is awesome, as always with anything VS or their awesome partner Labels release! It is a cool movie that was a lot of fun to watch! I always love the unique VS service of allowing you to stack as many movies as you like in your cart during any release period and ship them for free! The peerless VS restoration process was on full display with stellar sound and picture! Thank you, VS, for continuing to lovingly restore and release so many wonderful films from every conceivable genre! You are keeping physical media alive in this streaming world we now live in! Highly recommended!"
— Paul K. (5/5)
Crack House
"What every parent feared for their children in the late 80’s comes alive on the movie screen. The one good kid in the neighborhood has to navigate gangs, loyalty to his family, drug dealers and drug lords all in the midst of a Crack Cocaine Epidemic. Is that kid good enough to navigate the razor thin path to adulthood unscathed? Or does he have the street smarts to bust out of a bad situation? Wow! I really enjoyed it! Love the poster too, don’t open it if you never watched the movie- it gives away a plot twist! Even if you could see it from a mile away."
— Kevin P. (5/5)
The Greatest Trick Was Making You Think It Was Just Another B-Movie
"People see Crack House and they think they know the story. They see the title. The VHS cover. The gangs. The drugs. They make up their minds before the first frame. That's how the best cons work. But the film has weight. Jim Brown is terrifying. Richard Roundtree brings credibility. The streets feel lived in, dangerous, inevitable. By the time you realize it's less exploitation than tragedy wrapped in exploitation's clothes, it's already too late. You were looking in the wrong direction the whole time. Vinegar Syndrome didn't just restore a forgotten crime picture—they exposed the truth hiding beneath decades of dust. And like any good illusion, once you've seen it clearly, you'll wonder how everyone else missed it."
— JEREMY S. (5/5)
Crack House
"I will pick anything up that had something to do with Cannon Films. There is always something enjoyable about everything they released and Crack House is no exception. Always great to see Jim Brown too!"
— Jack A. (5/5)
Great Cult Crime Release
"A fun and gritty cult crime release with plenty of energy and atmosphere. The audio is solid, the presentation looks good, and the disc makes for an enjoyable collector’s edition. Entry and service were smooth as well, making the overall experience very positive."
— Thomas L. (4/5)
Show This In Schools, You Cowards
"This is basically an after-school special presented as an exploitation flick. It's compelling, beautifully shot, and I think would be way more effective than the cringe anti-doping videos they showed us in high school."
— Evan B. (4/5)
Late Cannon Classic
"Another quality release of a late Cannnon classic , with great picture and audio quality. A movie with a lot of memorable lines."
— Lennard B. (5/5)
Crack House
"Great genre for the vsa line, with nice slipcover and picture"
— Robert E. (5/5)
Cool movie! Never heard of
"Cool movie! Never heard of it but took a chance and really like it. Nice release!"
— Dale V. (4/5)
Q&A
More Items to Consider
Cart
0 Item(s)
Stay in the know!
Join our mailing list for updates on new releases, promotions & events.
