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This is a remake of the Wes Craven's low budget 1972 cult favorite of the same name. I saw the original, and despite its low budget values, replete with grainy film images and bad acting, it was one of the most horrifying and brutal films that I had ever seen. Of course, the reality is that the crimes that were perpetrated in that film were just that, and, consequently, it remains one of the most frightening and shocking films to date. It was truly chilling. When I saw that there had been a remake, I would curious to see how it would compare. I would have to say that in the shock and awe department, the original still holds sway. Still, the remake is an excellent film and, though brutal, somehow less frightening. The storyline is every parent's worse nightmare. A teenager, Mari Collingwood, goes with her parents to their rural country house. She takes the family car to meet a friend in town. Unbeknownst to them, an escaped killer named Krug is on the loose with his rescuers. Mari and her friend hook up with a creepy but cute guy with whom they end up smoking weed with in his motel room. Then his father, his crazy girl-friend, and his uncle show up, and all hell breaks loose. They are none other than the escaped killer and his rescuers. Clearly, they are not going to let these two girls walk away. What happens next will chill the viewer. This gritty and raw film has excellent production values, good cinematography, and the cast is a definite an improvement over that in the original. The controversial rape scene is brutal but probably mirrors the reality of such a crime, and the reality of it ain't pretty. Garret Dillahunt is definitely a standout as the ruthless escaped killer. Likewise Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, and Sarah Paxton are also excellent as the beleaguered Collingwood family. Overall, it is a remake that stands up well to the original, as well as on its own merits. Although the film is very similar to the original, there are some differences, though in the long run, these differences do not really make or break this film of a family fighting to survive under circumstances most of us would prefer not to think about. Word to the wise: this film is definitely not for the squeamish or faint of heart.Read full review
Although the film may be heralded by many Wes Craven fans as a wonderful remake of an old film, I must agree with many who saw this film in it's unrated form, that it may just have stepped over the edge of decency. There are many that just can not stomach the rape scene and the cruelty. All films try and tell a story about tragedy of evil versus good and the innocence taken away from others, but I think the killing and raping scene within this film puts it way under my line of human decency. Many scenes of this film where quite enough on their own, but showing cold blooded stabbing and rape of young innocence girls, goes way too far. The tenseness of the film was enough already, but why do we actually have to be shown this type of horror. The desensitizing of our minds happens to happen slowly to the point where we think, oh wow, I guess it's not a good horror film unless you show the gore and horror outright. I hope to never see anything so graphic again in my life and could not imagine anyone spending so much time showing the actual act for such a long extended period of time regardless of the rating. I'm going to outline the differences in the versions so that you can make you own choices. VERSION COMPARISON: Theatrical Version -vs- Unrated Comparison between Theatrical & Unrated versions (both presented by the US-DVD from Universal) - Theatrical version: 103:33 min without closing titles (109:46 min with closing titles) in NTSC - Unrated: 107:26 min without closing titles (113:36 min with closing titles) in NTSC 45 changed parts, including * 11x alternative footage * 3 recuts * 25 censorship cuts * 20 story cuts Difference: 232.7 sec (= 3:53 min) HISTORY: In 1960 Ingmar Bergman directed the depressing drama Jungfrukällan (The Virgin Spring) which was based on a Swedish legend from the 14th century. It was about a landholder's innocent daughter Karin who was attacked, raped and murdered by three shepherd-brothers. After that, the murderers find shelter by nobody else than Karin's parents so it does not last long until the parents find out about the crime and the father commits vigilante justice. The tale of moral and violence was shocking, especially because of the rape-scene which was unusually explicit for the time, and received the Oscar for the best foreign film in the following year. 12 years later Wes Craven who was unknown at the time adapted the material and made his own variation of the story which was noticeably more lowbrow and sleazy, an exploitation film as it was popular in the seventies. Here, the girl is called Mari, her friend has to suffer, too, and they cross paths with the gang because they want to get some marijuana for the night. Among the violators is a woman, too, and the youngest of the bunch is the son of her lover and gang-leader Krug. Last House On The Left surely is one of the most popular Rape and Revenge films and with David Hess in the role of main villain Krug it offers one of the meanest horror-film-bad-guys ever. If you happen to spend time seeing this film, I would hope that you watch this with the intent of keeping an open mind and remember this is pure fiction, however, it may not be that shocking to you as it was for me. I'm going to give this film an average rating of 3/5 because of the content, yet the tenseness and scariness will probably keep you afraid of strangers from here on out. IF YOU LIKE MY REVIEWS, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO LET ME KNOW BY VOTING. THANKS!Read full review
The no-remake purists will be screaming, but the fact is that the 1972 Wes Craven film was just a remake of a film that 99% of the purists have probably never seen. This film beats the 1972 film by a mile. First, there is the rape scene that one newspaper reviewer called "...one of the most graphically brutal and terrifying rapes ever put on screen." Obviously, he never saw I Spit on Your Grave. That was brutal! What I am most reminded of in watching this film is Wes Craven's Red Eye. The tension and surprises were continual once that family (Tony Goldwyn & Monica Potter) realizes who is responsible for what happened to their daughter (Sara Paxton). You will also note the torture porn elements as the father selects from a shelf full of implements to use in seeking revenge. The use of household appliances was a unique element not seen before, and really gave a graphic and satisfying ending to the film. I was gratified that the final fight sequence was realistic in the sense that, despite the adrenaline rushing through the father, he was still getting his ass whipped until the son appeared. It took a tag team approach to bring that sucker down and prepare him for his just rewards.Read full review
Good actors, good plot, intense scenes.!!! Thank you, Lee...
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Brutal as _ _ _ _! Awesome movie!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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