Good start, but then it gets ruined

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

I can remember the first time I ever saw THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT. I was drawn in by the ad campaign that claimed you had to keep telling yourself "it's only a movie, it's only a movie..." It was a great promo for the film and drew in those like myself who were pulled in as if dared to watch what would unfold on the screen. For once the hype matched the movie and it was more difficult to watch than I expected. More disturbing films have followed but this one released in 1972 was like a film that opened the door for those to follow. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.If you've never seen the film it's loosely based on Ingmar Bergman's THE VIRGIN SPRING (which I also recently viewed and wrote about). Mari Collingwood (Sandra Peabody) is a young girl living at home with her parents Dr. John Collingwood (Richard Towers) and Estelle (Cynthia Carr). She's going to a concert with Phyllis (Lucy Grantham), a friend her parents don't quite approve of. Before she leaves her father gives her a gift, a new necklace. The girls are on their way to the concert in a seedier part of the city when they come across Junior Stillo (Marc Sheffler). We as viewers are already aware of who Junior is, part of a gang of criminals who have broken out of prison. A description of them over the radio describes them as pretty much having committed every reprehensible act you can think of including murder and rape. The girls approach Junior hoping to score some grass and he invites them up to the hotel room he's in to sell them some. It isn't until they see the rest of the gang and Junior locks the door behind them that they realize they've made a mistake.The gang is led by Krug Stillo (David Hess), Junior's father and a totally scummy individual. With him are Sadie (Jeramie Rain) his long standing girlfriend and Fred "Weasel" Podowski (Fred Lincoln). It doesn't take long before the three of them begin threatening the girls. After a failed escape attempt by Phyllis she is raped and the girls remain hostages until the gang heads out the next day.Taken in the woods to be disposed of the gang, all with sadistic bents, force the girls to disrobe and make out with one another. Mari begins to go into a catatonic state and Phyllis is doing her best to cope with the gang and to help her friend. When they're done having "fun" with the two girls, the gang kills them and leaves them in the woods.At home John and Estelle had been planning a birthday party for Mari. When she never showed the night before they'd called the Sheriff (Marshall Anker) and he and his deputy (a young Martin Kove) arrived to get the details about the girls. The next day the pair find the abandoned car of the gang but can't get to help because their car runs out of gas. Having ditched the car with problems the gang heads out on foot and stops at a home to get some food and rest. What they don't realize is that this is Mari's home. They act peaceably enough not wanting to start anything that would leave a trail. Later that evening Estelle notices the necklace they gave Mari is now hanging from Junior's neck. What follows is less upsetting than the earlier moments of the film but no less unforgettable.The movie was the first film made by a college professor who went on to greater acclaim, Wes Craven. This was his first foray into film and was made on a miniscule budget as a way to get exposed to film. It was produced by Sean Cunningham who had worked with Craven when Craven synchronized his own directorial effort. Both would go on to bigger and better things, Craven to the Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream franchises and Cunningham to the Friday the 13th franchise.Craven has said that he wanted to depict the violence on screen in the film because prior to this the movies glamourized violence. He wanted to show the brutality of it and he accomplishes it quite well. The scenes of brutality in the film are very upsetting and to this day I don't recommend the film for those with a weak constitution. It's not that the violence is as graphically depicted with blood or gore as many of today's films are but the way its shot, the grainy near documentary styled shooting used and the scummy feeling of the gang and their behaviors leaves you wanting a nice hot shower after viewing. I think I first saw the film back years after it had come out. I can't quite remember of it was a midnight movie or a second feature at a drive in. I do recall that I didn't understand the acclaim the film had garnered and found it quite upsetting to view. I did stick it out though. Watching it again after all these years I still find the film unnerving and upsetting. I'm glad those in charge of making the film went on to bigger and better things. The same can't be said of all those involved. The film has developed a legion of fans in spite of the low grade production values and the disturbing nature of the film. It was banned in several countries upon release and sought after just for that reason. Those fans will be pleased to find that Arrow Video is offering the film in the best possible format available with a ton of extras. But that's become second nature with any and all Arrow releases. To start with the film offers three cuts of the film newly restored in 2K from original film elements: the R-rated cut, the unrated cut and the Krug & Company cut.If that weren't enough the movie is offered on three discs and includes more extras than most films can even think of. Included are 6 lobby card reproductions, a double sided poster featuring new artwork, a reversible sleeve with new artwork, a limited edition 60 page book with new writing on the film by author Stephen Thrower, an isolated score remastered from the original magnetic tracks, a new commentary track by podcasters Bill Ackerman and Amanda Reyes, an archival commentary track by Craven and Cunningham, an archival commentary track by Hess, Sheffler and Lincoln and an introduction to the film by Craven.But there's more! STILL STANDING: THE LEGACY OF THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT an archival interview with Wes Craven, CELLULOID CRIME OF THE CENTURY an archival documentary with interviews including Craven, Cunningham, Hess, Lincoln, Rain, Sheffler and Kove, SCORING LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT an archival interview with Hess who did songs for the film, IT'S ONLY A MOVIE: THE MAKING OF THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEF an archival documentary, FORBIDDEN FOOTAGE the cast and crew on the film's most controversial sequences, JUNIOR'S STORY a new interview with Sheffler, BLOOD AND GUTS a new featurette with makeup artists Anne Paul, THE ROAD LEADS TO TERROR a new featurette revisiting the film's original shooting locations, deleted scenes, extended outtakes and dailies, trailers, TV spots, radio spots, an image gallery, THE CRAVEN TOUCH a new featurette bringing together interviews with Craven collaborators like Cunningham, composer Charles Bernstein, producer Peter Locke, cinematographer Mark Irwin and actress Amanda Wyss. Then there is EARLY DAYS AND 'NIGHT OF VENGUEANCE' where filmmakers Roy Frumkes remembers Craven and the film, TALES THAT'LL TEAR YOUR HEART OUT excerpts from an unfinished Craven shot, a Q&A with Sheffler from a 2017 screening of the film at The American Cinematheque, KRUG CONQUERS ENGLAND an archival featurette charting the theatrical tour of the first ever uncut screening of the film in the UK and a CD featuring the complete and newly remastered film score. WHEW!If it seems there is more to watch in this package than the actual film itself you are not wrong. I can't think of a more comprehensive package for any title that I'm aware of. If you're a fan then this is a MUST HAVE item. If you've never seen the movie go in wary and expecting to be shocked. Take breaks and walk away for a while if you must. If you're a horror fan then you'll want this as well. Arrow has outdone themselves on this release.Just to be clear I gave this release 7 stars because of the work put into it by Arrow Video for their release of the film. The film itself I'd drop down to perhaps 2.5 stars simply because of it's disturbing quality. But Arrow has come up with so much extra for the release I couldn't give it less than 4 stars for that reason.

MOVIE REVIEWWes Craven has been and still is one of my favorite horror film writers and directors in the film industry. However, The Last House On The Last looked like he was in film school. Very amateur style and the one part that was great, was Wes's ability to tell a great story from his past literary writing experience. The film is dark and very serious. It lives up to its' R rating and I wonder at times how much they had to either cut out or tame down to avoid getting the X rating back them. It's not a horrible film by any means, but if you compare it to his other films, such: A Nightmare On Elm Street, Scream and The People Under The Stairs. Comparing Last House to his horror film in the 1980s, Shocker, Last House beats it by one hundred percent. If it was possible Shocker would get a half star from me. All in all Wes Craven's Last House On The Left does show that there was filmmaking talent inside of him. It was an amazing start for him. Lastly the cast wasn't really spectacular. It seems like the only way the acting was good, was that since this was Wes's first film both written and directed, Sean Cunningham probably had to help him out with the directing part a lot. THANKS FOR READING!!!!!!!!!

The Last House On The Left is one of the greatest Horror films ever made,an excellent,powerful and disturbing film that combines fine direction,a good cast and a memorable soundtrack. All of those elements make The Last House On The Left a Horror classic that is Wes Craven at his best.The Last House On The Left tells the story of Mari(Sandra Cassell),a teenager who's celebrating her 17th birthday by going to a rock concert with her friend Phyllis(Lucy Grantham)in New York City. While in the city Mari and Phyllis are looking to score some marijuana but get kidnapped by escaped convicts led by Krug(David Hess)which lead up to terrifying results.Released in 1972,The Last House On The Left is a brilliant Horror film that not only marked the directorial debut of director and Horror master Wes Craven but is also one of the most controversial and infamous Horror movies ever made. Disturbing,brutal and sadistic all around,The Last House On The Left is film that caused a stir the minute it opened in movie theaters in 1972 thanks to it's now famous movie poster and trailer tag-line("to avoid fainting keep repeating it's only a movie,only a movie")or the violent nature and was even banned in several countries and no matter what it will always seem to divide critics and audiences some will love or hate it some will see it as a Horror classic or a piece of trash there seems to be no middle ground. Regardless how you feel about the movie The Last House On The Left is up there with Night Of The Living Dead(1968)and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre(1974)in giving audiences a different kind of Horror movie and is one of the finest Horror films of the 1970s that you will never ever forget and if A Nightmare On Elm Street(1984)and Scream(1996)are Wes Craven's most famous films then The Last House On The Left is his most notorious. With The Last House On The Left Wes Craven has crafted a movie(which was made on a low budget of just 87,000$)that's rough around the edges and is an exploitation movie to the hilt but is a film with a raw and striking power that punches viewers in the gut with fright and terror that just comes off the screen at viewers. With Last House we given a movie that isn't easy to watch but is gripping from beginning to end and offers no salvation or positive outcome and while the film isn't scary Last House is a disturbing and unflinching look at violence,murder and pure evil. The atmosphere and tone in Last House is grim and bleak with a style that is sleazy,ugly and morally corrupt with a documentary feel as if you right there watching all the horrific things going on which makes the film feel realistic. Last House also gives viewers a look at the tone and feel of late 1960s early 70s Nixon era:Vietnam,The Manson Family Murders,Hippies,The Watergate Scandal and the violence during those times told in an angry and violent way. And speaking of the violence,in Last House the violence in the film is not for the weak at heart or people with can't stand violence because the violent scenes are mean spirited and vicious showing human beings at their most horrific. Craven would bring the same darkness and brutality to his later films such as A Nightmare On Elm Street and Scream but it all started here but make no mistake about it Last House is not a Slasher film. I guess that's why Last House has some Comedic scenes before,during and after the violence scenes to lighten the mood. The main characters in the film whether it's the bad guys or other main characters are actually interesting and well-developed with memorable lines and scenes. The ending of The Last House On The Left is amazing,effective and goes along with the theme of violence throughout the whole movie. A great conclusion.The cast is great. Sandra Cassell is fantastic and believable as Mari,with Cassell bringing depth to the role. Lucy Grantham is wonderful as Phyllis,Mari's friend. David Hess is excellent,frightening and unforgettable as Krug,who in my opinion is one of the greatest villains of all-time. Fred Lincoln is great as Weasel,Krug's right hand man. Jeramie Rain is incredible as Sadie,the lone woman in Krug's group. Marc Sheffler does a fine job as Junior,Krug's drug addicted son. Richard Towers(as Gaylord St. James)and Cynthia Carr do good job as John and Estelle Collingwood,Mari,parents. Marshall Anker(Sheriff)and Martin Kove(Deputy)are funny as local lawman.The direction by Wes Craven is good,with Craven basically pointing and shooting bringing a documentary look to the film and keeping the film moving at a solid pace. Fine direction,Craven,RIP.The score by David Hess is terrific,offbeat,haunting and fits with the tone and mood of the film. Great score,Hess.In final word,if you love Wes Craven or Horror films,I highly suggest you see The Last House On The Left,an excellent,disturbing and unforgettable Horror classic that you will never forget. Highly Recommended. 10/10.

An important film for the horror genre, but failing in several respects. The dialogues and acting are for the greater part below par, and the soundtrack is, especially in the beginning, pretty annoying. One or two hippie songs to underline the mood and state of mind of the two young females would have worked, but this is overkill. Then, there's the two bumbling coppers acting as if they are playing in 'The dukes of Hazard'. Wes Craven may have tried to make a point about the failing of police when it comes to cases like these, but he does not find the right tone of things.But, when the 'happy' music dies down and only a few somber, eerie tones sound through the forest and the actual debaucheries begins, the film really picks up. Even if I remembered the cruelties and gore to be more elaborate, this part is still pretty shocking and impressive. The best part of the movie - legendary, in fact.The results of the final confrontation between the parents and the wrecking crew is again rather variable (acting, writing, etc.); they (mom and dad) seem to just go their separate ways, leave lots of room for the rapists / killers to get away or even strike back. 'Somehow' things sort of 'work out' in their (mom and dad's) favour, but, for instance, when mom goes off seducing one of them in the woods (and...), it just feels way too contrived and far-fetched. Well, it's an exploitation movie, of course, but still.The middle part would deserve about 8 to 9 out of 10, but rest of it ranges from about 3 to 5 out of 10. I'm settling on a small 7 out of 10.