I had heard that "The Name of the Game Is Kill!" had a big twist at its end when I first learned about the movie, so I made an extra effort not to learn any more about the movie before watching it so that the big twist would not be spoiled for me. Just a few minutes ago, I finished watching the movie. Was the so-called big twist worth the wait? Eh, not really. While I admit that I was not expecting it, at the same time it was a twist that has been done in many other movies before and since. Maybe in 1968 the twist was more fresh, but today it doesn't seem all that special. So that leaves the rest of the movie to make up for things. I will admit the low budget and crude look give the movie a kind of raw spirit at times, making the story more convincing than had it been done with a lot of polish. And there are a few mildly creepy moments here and there. But for the most part, the story plays out in a humdrum fashion. It doesn't help that there are a few plot details that are not made clear by the freeze-frame end, leaving me mystified with what exactly happened in the tragic (I think) past of the characters. I've seen many thrillers that are a lot worse, I admit, but all the same there isn't enough here to make this a real grabber.

Wayward Hungarian drifter and refugee Symcha Lipa (an excellent performance by Jack Lord) finds himself stranded on a deserted highway in rural Arizona. Lipa accepts a lift from the lovely and helpful Mickey Terry (a winningly perky and bewitching portrayal by the gorgeous Susan Strasberg), who takes him to an old gas station run by Mickey, her brusque sister Diz (Collin Wilcox Paxton, nicely abrasive), more flirty and flighty younger sibling Nan (Tisha Sterling, deliciously naughty), and their flaky mother Mrs. Terry (well played to the loopy hilt by T.C. Jones). Lipa soon finds himself under the dangerously seductive spell of these four odd and unbalanced women.Director Gunnar Hellstrom, working from an unusual and involving script by Gary Crutcher, relates the absorbing idiosyncratic narrative at a steady pace, expertly crafts a supremely spooky and sinister atmosphere, and adroitly conveys a strong sense of isolation, loneliness, and vulnerability from the desolate desert locations (the evocative and occasionally quite striking cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond works wonders with the modest budget). Moreover, Hellstrom delivers oodles of simmering sexual tension from the gripping scenario, with Sterling's sultry and unabashed dance to the groovy tune "Shadows" by The Electric Prunes providing a definite sizzling highlight. The shuddery score by Stu Phillips further enhances the overall eerie and unsettling mood. The surprise-ridden twist ending packs a startling wallop. Quirky and compelling, it's worthy of rediscovery.

Another sadly forgotten late 60's shocker, "The Name of the Game is Kill" features pretty much all the ingredients cult-cinema collectors could be looking for. The title alone will make certain people (= me) froth at the mouth, apparently the original spool went missing for several years (or so I read) and – last but not least – it has one of those typically engaging & challenging 60's promotional taglines! The VHS copy I held in my dirty little hand shout out: "You can't buy a ticket for this movie unless you sign a pledge not to reveal the surprise shock ending to anyone!" Call me easily enticed, but that's what I call salesmanship. The plot is wondrously weird and full of unpredictable twists – albeit cheesy and absurd twists – and demented character. The handsome Hungarian stranger Sim passes through a remote little US town and gets invited to the home of the uncanny Terry family. Mother Terry lives with her three daughters and a bizarre collection of poisonous snakes and tarantulas. The second oldest daughter Mickey is adorable, but the other women in the house behave somewhat odd and hostile. Sim nearly dies the next morning and ends up in the hospital were a dodgy Sheriff advises him not to go back there. Naturally he doesn't listen and returns to the house, only to encounter some of the freakiest family rituals and traditions imaginable. The movie is mysteriously compelling, original, well-directed and … swinging! The soundtrack is quite awesome and it definitely helps you, along with the masterful photography, to get through the overly talkative and slightly tedious moments. And I'm pleased to say the VHS cover didn't lie! Although the ending certainly won't sweep you off your feet, the last 20-25 minutes are offbeat, creepy, convoluted and even somewhat disturbing. But most of all, the climax is deliciously insane! Sure the idea will have crossed your mind at the beginning of the film, but when the big twist eventually becomes revealed, you still don't expect it. Just the way we love it. Recommended, if you can find a copy.

I saw this as a teenager in 1968 at the theater when it was first released, and had fond memories of it being a fairly eerie thriller. A recent viewing of a 16mm print left me with less fond memories. It is basically an extended Alfred Hitchcock Hour TV show program padded an extra 30 minutes, and in color. Not that this is bad in itself because the Hitchcock Hour was often very good, and at worst, just plain good. But this film could have stood trimming to an hour and the tightening up would have helped. It doesn't help the film that Jack Lord carried an obviously phony foreign accent, and had not yet found his acting stature that he would eventually find in Hawaii Five-0. It would have improved this film by 100% had he just not used the bad accent, and been a plain hitch-hiking American ranch-hand. It also didn't help that TC Jones as the Mom absolutely telegraphed the fact that Mom was really Dad, especially since he had become famous for his portrayal of the female nurse who was really a male psycho-killer in the Hitchcock Hour episode "An Unlocked Window" just a few years earlier. If you recall that episode, you'll remember it was a big surprise to viewers when first aired, and consequently a much lesser surprise here. What this film has going for it is good performances by the three wacky daughters, nice desolate scenery, and a secret mystery that has several possible solutions. Plus the fact that it has been nearly impossible to see.