Escape from Safehaven

My review was written in February 1989 after a Westside Manhattan screening.

"Escape from Safehaven" is an impoverished sci-fi film, offering little interest for exploitation audiences.

Set in the future after a world collapse and shot on decrepit locations in the Bronx, pic looks more like a backyard movie than a pro effort as thesps familiar from local B pictures huddle in a refuge or safehaven from the marauding scavengers (not shown) outside.

A stranger (Rick Gianisi) returns to help the bedraggled family that's being persecuted by Safehaven evil leaders Marcus Powell and Roy MacArthur (both baddie roles are cast with Brits. Uninvolving action has an uprising of rebels versus the status quo within the housing project locale, nearly everyone styled with punk garb. There's nothing that's the slightest bit futuristic on view.

Sole diversion hee is statuesque Tere Malson, cast as a blonde dominatrix wielding a mean whip who has the good sense to carefully remove her top while torturing Gianasi. Otherwise pic is drab, ugly and in need of a storyline. Many of the principals behind and in front of the camera made the fun horror flick "The Rejuvenator" but strike out this time.