Thou Shalt Not Kill... Except (1985) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A wounded Vietnam veteran rebuilds his life before a murderous cult forces him and his companions into violent retaliation.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Soldier Comes Home

A wounded soldier returns after devastating wartime losses and receives an honorable discharge. He begins trying to rebuild his civilian life.

Key Events

• Vietnam War Return — A wounded soldier returns home after half of his squadron is killed during the Vietnam War. Location: Homecoming town
• Squadron Losses — The war has killed half of the returning soldier's squadron. Location: Vietnam War
• Honorable Discharge — The wounded soldier receives an honorable discharge because of his injuries. Location: Military administration
• Life Rebuilding — The discharged soldier attempts to restore his civilian life after the war. Location: Homecoming town
• Sally Reunited — The returning soldier reunites with his old girlfriend, Sally. Characters: Sally Location: Homecoming town

A Fragile Reunion

The soldier reconnects with Sally and his former war buddies. Their reunions briefly suggest that normal life may be possible again.

Key Events

• Sally Reunited — The returning soldier reunites with his old girlfriend, Sally. Characters: Sally Location: Homecoming town
• War Buddies Return — The returning soldier also reconnects with his former war buddies. Location: Homecoming town
• Brief Happiness — The reunions make it seem that the soldier has successfully re-established his life. Characters: Sally Location: Homecoming town
• Cult Enters Town — A murderous cult led by the Cult Leader arrives to continue its rampage. Characters: Cult Leader Location: Homecoming town

The Cult's Rampage

An enigmatic Cult Leader brings a murderous cult into town. Sally is tortured, and police officers are found being tortured near the house.

Key Events

• Cult Enters Town — A murderous cult led by the Cult Leader arrives to continue its rampage. Characters: Cult Leader Location: Homecoming town
• Cult Rampage — The cult spreads violence through the town under its enigmatic leader. Characters: Cult Leader Location: Homecoming town
• Sally Tortured — Sally is tortured during the cult's violent attack. Characters: Cult Leader, Sally Location: Cult torture site
• Police Officers Tortured — The cult is found torturing police officers near the soldier's house. Characters: Cult Leader Location: Near the soldier's house
• Violence Discovered — The returning soldier and his companions discover the cult's brutality. Characters: Sally, Cult Leader Location: Near the soldier's house

Armed Resistance

After discovering the cult's violence, the soldier and his companions arm themselves. They choose to fight back against the cult.

Key Events

• Violence Discovered — The returning soldier and his companions discover the cult's brutality. Characters: Sally, Cult Leader Location: Near the soldier's house
• Weapons Gathered — The returning soldier and his companions arm themselves after witnessing the torture. Characters: Sally Location: The soldier's house
• Decision To Fight — The group decides to fight back against the cult despite legal and moral consequences. Characters: Sally Location: The soldier's house
• War Between Groups — Armed resistance develops into a war between the group and the cult. Characters: Cult Leader, Sally Location: Town streets

The Final Bloodshed

The decision produces a war between the two groups, with numerous deaths. The Cult Leader is shot, falls into a river, and is impaled on a motorcycle.

Key Events

• War Between Groups — Armed resistance develops into a war between the group and the cult. Characters: Cult Leader, Sally Location: Town streets
• Escalating Gunfight — The conflict intensifies as both sides continue their violent exchange. Characters: Cult Leader Location: Town streets
• Numerous Deaths — The war produces numerous deaths among the opposing groups. Characters: Cult Leader Location: Town battlefield
• Leader Confronted — The Cult Leader reaches the final confrontation during the brutal war. Characters: Cult Leader Location: Final battle site
• Leader Shot — The Cult Leader is shot in the chest during the final exchange. Characters: Cult Leader Location: Final battle site
• River Fall — After being shot, the Cult Leader careens into a river. Characters: Cult Leader Location: River
• Motorcycle Impalement — The Cult Leader is eventually impaled on a motorcycle. Characters: Cult Leader Location: River
• Brutal War Ends — The Cult Leader's death ends the brutal war between the two groups. Characters: Cult Leader, Sally Location: Town and river area

Story Breakdown

• Wartime Return — The protagonist comes home carrying the consequences of war.
  • Squadron Losses — Half of the squadron has been killed during the Vietnam War.
  • Honorable Discharge — Injuries lead to an honorable military discharge.
• Civilian Recovery — The returning soldier attempts to restore his personal life.
  • Life Rebuilding — He tries to resume ordinary life after the war.
  • Old Girlfriend — He reunites with Sally.
• Renewed Companionship — Former relationships briefly create a sense of stability.
  • War Buddies — The soldier reconnects with his former companions.
  • Brief Happiness — The reunions suggest that his life is recovering.
• Cult Invasion — A murderous cult disrupts the town's fragile peace.
  • Enigmatic Leader — The Cult Leader directs the cult's rampage.
  • Town Rampage — The cult arrives and continues its murderous violence.
• Torture And Discovery — The cult's brutality makes the conflict personal and undeniable.
  • Sally Tortured — Sally becomes a victim of the cult's violence.
  • Police Officers Tortured — Police officers are found being tortured near the house.
• Armed Retaliation — The protagonists respond to the cult through organized resistance.
  • Weapons Gathered — The group arms itself after witnessing the torture.
  • Laws Defied — The group decides to fight back against the cult.
• Cult War — Retaliation expands into a sustained battle between two groups.
  • Numerous Deaths — The violent exchange causes many deaths.
  • Final Confrontation — The Cult Leader faces the decisive final exchange.
• Leader's End — The Cult Leader's death closes the violent conflict.
  • Chest Wound — The Cult Leader is shot in the chest.
  • River And Motorcycle — He falls into a river and is impaled on a motorcycle.

Directed by

Josh Becker

Key Cast

• Brian Schulz — Sgt. Jack Stryker
• Robert Rickman — Sgt. Walker J. Jackson
• John Manfredi — 2nd Lt. David Miller
• Timothy Patrick Quill — LCpl. Tim Tyler
• Sam Raimi — Cult Leader