1 / 8
RUNTIME
Did you know
84 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
MoodPlayr · trivia#01
Don't Mess with My Sister!
"He'd kill for them. He may have to die for them."
1985 1h 24m EN
💀
3.4
SKIP
★3.4TMDB · 13
HorrorActionDramaThriller
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
Steven, a meek accountant-in-training, is living contentedly with his wife Clara and working for her brothers, managing the books at their junkyard. All of this changes when the belly dancer they hire for Steve's birthday turns out to be Anke, one of his classmates. Suddenly smitten, Steven begins to pursue Anke, who falls for him when he protects her from an overly lecherous customer. News travels fast in a close-knit neighborhood, however, and soon Clara and her brothers find out about the illicit relationship. Pushed to the edge, Steven will have to decide between his marriage with Clara and his love for Anke.
“He'd kill for them. He may have to die for them.”
Cast
Joe Perce
Steven
Jeannine Lemay
Clara
Jack Gurci
Roberto
Peter Sapienza
Dino
Laura Lanfranchi
Annika
Kit Bard
Ann
Royal Miller
Jerry
Pam La Testa
Clara's Mother
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- Meir Zarchi
- Writers
- Meir Zarchi
- Languages
- English
- Countries
- United States of America
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts 🍿
2 / 8
ERA
Did you know
41 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
MoodPlayr · trivia#02
3 / 8
RUNTIME
Did you know
Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
MoodPlayr · trivia#03
4 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Directed by Meir Zarchi, shot by Phil Gries. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
MoodPlayr · trivia#04
5 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Original score by Todd Rice. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
MoodPlayr · trivia#05
6 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Editor Meir Zarchi shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr · trivia#06
7 / 8
CAST
Did you know
Joe Perce and Jeannine Lemay and Jack Gurci carry the top of the cast.
MoodPlayr · trivia#07
8 / 8
FACT
Did you know
Marketing tagline: "He'd kill for them. He may have to die for them.".
MoodPlayr · trivia#08
Cinephile deep dive
The take
Meir Zarchi directs. Phil Gries behind the camera. Todd Rice scores. Meir Zarchi cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 184 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
- 241 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
- 3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
- 4Directed by Meir Zarchi, shot by Phil Gries. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 5Original score by Todd Rice. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
- 6Editor Meir Zarchi shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 7Joe Perce and Jeannine Lemay and Jack Gurci carry the top of the cast.
- 8Marketing tagline: "He'd kill for them. He may have to die for them.".
- 9IMDB entry: tt0089037 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
- 10Only 13 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.
The technical file
- Cinematography
- Phil Gries
- Original score
- Todd Rice
- Editing
- Meir Zarchi
- Runtime
- 84 min · 1h 24m
- Status
- Released
- Original language
- EN
Also by
Meir Zarchi
Production companies
Who made it
- SH
Shotwed Film
Key crew
- EditorMeir Zarchi
- ProducerMeir Zarchi
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- adultery
- fistfight
Release history · US
When it landed
- Premiere1985-10-21· MIFED
Also known as
International titles
- American JunkyardUS
- Family and HonorGB
