Best Served Cold: How a Revenge Film was Buried for Decades

This documentary examines the rise of the 1977 movie The Farmer as a highly sought-after cult classic. The narrative covers a chaotic production history involving on-set accidents, banana-themed costumes, and a cast member who was imprisoned for manslaughter. It also identifies unexpected connections to Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood. Beyond this specific production, the film analyzes the broader Returning Veteran sub-genre, a violent and diverse style of cinema that peaked in the 1970s with titles such as Rolling Thunder, The No Mercy Man, and Welcome Home, Soldier Boys.

Written and directed by Eric Zaldivar, the film was produced by Zaldivar alongside Mike Malloy and John Joseph Dunn. The documentary features appearances by Paul Schrader, David Morrell, Steve Railsback, Gary Conway, Stratton Leopold, and Elliott Street. Released in the United States on August 15, 2026, the project serves as a study of a neglected cinematic trend and the specific history of a buried revenge film.