Disclaimer: The 'OOP' edition of this release is still in stock since there were leftovers following our 2025 Labor Day sale. Available for a limited time only.
Sold Out / OOP
EXPECT NO MERCY 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 store, The Archive in Bridgeport, CT.
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 slipcase edition is strictly limited to 5,000 units and may (but probably not) be followed by a standard edition in the future.
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Justin Vanier (Billy Blanks) is a highly trained and deadly agent for an elite police force known as the Federal Security Bureau. After a fellow undercover agent turns up dead, Justin is recruited to infiltrate a high tech martial arts training facility known as the Virtual Arts Academy, where students are trained in combat situations using virtual reality. Once inside the facility, Justin is to make contact with another undercover agent named Eric (Jalal Merhi) who believes that the academy is really a front for a team of hired assassins run by their power hungry leader, Warbeck. With fear of their covers getting blown, Justin and Eric must face off with computer generated opponents in a series of simulated fights that have real-life consequences.
Featuring state-of-the-art computer graphics for the time, EXPECT NO MERCY puts a unique spin on the virtual reality films that were popular in the 90s. Featuring no-holds-barred martial arts action and solid performances from Billy Blanks (TC 2000), Jalal Merhi (Tiger Claws), and the lovely Laurie Holden (TV’s The Walking Dead). Vinegar Syndrome Archive is proud to present this truly one-of-a-kind martial arts experience on Blu-ray and restored in 4k from its 35mm original camera negative.
directed by: Zale Dalen
starring: STARRING Billy Blanks, Jalal Merhi, Wolf Larson, Laurie Holden, Anthony De Longis
1995 / 91 min / 1.85:1 / English Stereo
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.3626375 / 5 from 273 reviews.
Expect No Mercy, part of the Vinegar Syndrome Archive collection, is a unique martial arts film featuring Billy Blanks and Jalal Merhi. Customers praise the film's effects, fun factor, and quality transfer. The limited edition release includes a double-sided poster and reversible cover artwork, making it a sought-after item for collectors.
Review topics: [quality, looks, feel, picture, cover, packaging, box, presentation, case, sound, set, movie, blanks, film, acting, release, transfer, effects, flick, artwork, fun, features, extras, scenes, reality, mercy, vsa, art, jalal merhi, poster].
"Even though Billy Blanks movies aren't the best in the martial arts genre back in the 90s, this is an example of one them. 😂 But it was entertaining in a cheesy kind of way. The release surprised me, I didn't think this would get the blu ray treatment, but the picture quality is great! VS also has great artwork for their releases, this may not be the best movie but still a decent release."
"Really cheesy but fun martial arts movie when we were obsessed with virtual reality in the 90s. Vs as always with a great transfer and nice extras."
"Highly recommend this release. . . Excellent picture quality and special features Lovely slip . . ."
"Nice release by VS of this fun lil' action flick riding the 90s VR wave. Great rigid slip and cover art!"
"Who would have thought that a DTV '90s action movie could be the source material from which a videogame was made? I learned way after the release of said game that this film existed (I remember thinking, with the little snippets of miniscule-sized footage of Jalal Merhi in the game, how cool that was as a teen) and, not surprisingly, the film is much more fun and better-casted than the horrible fighting game. Cool artwork, great transfer and including a playthrough of said game. If you like the other movies of this type VS has released, you'll also get your money's worth here."
"Yeah this is a time capsule to the early 90s, it rules, I'll be taking no further questions. Big thanks for VS for clearing the warehouse to give me a shot at this dashed slipcase beauty."
"Great transfer, packaging slipcase are second to none."
"It is Billy Blanks, what else do you need?"
"A fun throwback to the mid 90s virtual reality craze. Blanks does his best to carry the film but Lorie Holden(Walking Dead) is the standout. Solid action, solid sets, and some crazy blue screen sequences."
"Cool Movie"
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