Deathcheaters (1976)

Returned Vietnam vets Steve (John Hargreaves) and Rod (legendary Aussie stuntman Grant Page in his first starring role) are working as television stuntmen (as a team called ‘Cunning Stunts’) when the Australian government comes calling.

Spymaster Culpepper (Noel Ferrier) has decided that, due to their extensive commando backgrounds, they are the perfect duo to infiltrate a Filipino island where a criminal boss is holding secret documents that the government wants retrieved.

Margaret Gerard provides the eye candy as Steve’s blonde wife, Julia.

It’s a cracking ‘men on a mission” blend of stunts and adventure, directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith, who previously helmed The Man From Hong Kong (1975), where he worked with Grant Page (pictured below).

This film was made for $150,000 and shot on 16mm film then blown up to 35mm for theatrical release. The acting isn’t great, but, as you would expect, the stunts are first-rate.

Trenchard-Smith and Page subsequently took the stuntman concept a step further with Stunt Rock (1978).

The scenes set at the Filipino fortress were filmed at the defunct Bunnerong Power Station in Matraville, Sydney. Rod’s dog Bismark was played by a mutt named Ziggy.

Steve Hall
John Hargreaves
Rodney Cann
Grant Page
Julia Hall
Margaret Gerard
Bismark
Ziggy
Culpepper
Noel Ferrier
Gloria
Judith Woodroffe
The Uncivil Servant
Ralph Cotterill
Battle Scene Director
Drew Forsythe
Anticore Director
John Krummel
Hit & Run Director
Brian Trenchard-Smith
Lina
Annie Semler
Police Sergeant
Roger Ward
Police Sergeant
Wallas Eaton
Butcher
Chris Haywood
Army Sergeant
Reg Evans
Langham
Peter Collingwood
Commander Carson
Vincent Ball
Submarine Commander
Lt. Cdr. RJ Canham R.A.N
Bank Robbers
Max Aspin
David Bracks

Director
Brian Trenchard-Smith

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