HTF REVIEW: "The Last House On The Left" (with screenshots) (1 Viewer)

[James Zos]

"That being said...it's obviously not for everyone, and just because you see it one way doesn't mean I have too...and vice versa."

Well said, Matt. I agree.

"Have you ever read or heard anything Wes Craven has said about the film? If you think that LHOTL is simply violence for entertainment, you're completely off the mark. It is, indeed, a social commentary just as much as A Clockwork Orange is."

If that's true, DJ, I would like to hear Craven's argument for the film as social commentary. Would you be willing to repeat any of it?

 

[Damin J Toell]

If that's true, DJ, I would like to hear Craven's argument for the film as social commentary. Would you be willing to repeat any of it?

Craven likely expounds on it during the film's commentary, but I've yet to listen to it. I have seen him discuss it elsewhere. For example, in IFC's 2000 documentary, The American Nightmare, Craven discusses how the film and its imagery is purposely evocative of the Vietnam War. While I don't recall his exact words, I can expand on the themes. The film internalizes the experience of Vietnam and brings it home to the ordinary social level; the horror of war is not merely "out there," but it's "in here," too. It forces us to face the horrors of pain, violation, and death as a personal experience in that it becomes an at-home reality. The war isn't in some foreign land, it's quite literally in our homes. This, of course, makes it an uneasy experience. It is not violence as entertainment, it's violence as self-discovery. I'd suggest reading Georges Bataille's Erotism for further insight (not into the particulars of LHOTL, but on the function it (and works like it) serve).
DJ

 

[Rich Romero]

Make no mistake about it. LHOTL is not just a film ABOUT violence. I also saw the American Nightmare documentary a couple times on IFC and remember very little. I don't consider this just a mindless gore or violence movie though.

 

[JonZ]

I dont have the time right now for a in depth reply, but yes James I completely understand the point of A Clockwork Orange (My 4th Fav movie).

And I also remember Craven saying it was supposed to horrify,repel and disgust you-it was supposed to be the flip side to the Love & Peace things you were seeig and hearing about daily.
Manson, The Zodiac(who was terrorizing San Fran),riots and Vietnam were also out there- which is sort of what I think he was trying to say. It was a crazy time in America.

I will say that I felt real sympathy for the demise of the 2 females,so whether Craven is a sicko or not he got a emotional response from me(which is rare for me for a film) - so with me anyway, he accomplished what he set out to do.

 

[BarryS]

Man, this disc is only $9.99 at Best Buy. I would be tempted to buy it but I haven't seen the movie and I make it a rule never to buy movies sight unseen, except in special circumstances (I bought Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back sight unseen, because c'mon it's a Kevin Smith movie!).

I rented the DVD instead and I may buy it if I like the movie enough. I am a fan of Wes Craven so that may be possible.

I am expecting to be mentally scarred for life from viewing this film and I shall be disappointed if no psychological damage is incurred.

 

[T r o y]

I would like rent this movie first so I called my local Blockbuster to ask if they had this one and they said NO.

BarryS, which store did you rent LHOTL from ? Any other stores this pic might be at to rent?

Thanks
Troy

 

[Jan Strnad]

Barry and Troy,

You're both wise to rent first. As JonZ says,

I also remember Craven saying it was supposed to horrify,repel and disgust you

at which it succeeds. Once you've seen it, you may want to get rid of it ASAP.

How the film pertains in any way to the Vietnam War, I don't remember. I'd welcome any citations from the film that connect the two. I really don't want to watch it again to find them.

Mentioning Last House on the Left in the same breath as A Clockwork Orange because they both contain rape scenes is like comparing Don't Look Now, with a very hot sex scene in context with a good story, well visualized, with any porno movie. There's such a gross (in both senses of the word) difference between depicting sexual violence and wallowing in it that I'm stunned that the distinction still has to be pointed out.

Last House on the Left is a repulsive, poorly-produced film that panders to an audience's voyeuristic fascination with rape and torture. If that's what you're looking for, go for it! (I mean that sincerely...I personally enjoy a number of films that I admit are crap.)

But please, Wes Craven, don't try to pass it off as a cinematic expression of social conscience! At least have the guts to accept your child for what it is, for what you set out to create, and don't try to b.s. us with a lot of pseudo-intellectual claptrap.

Jan

 

[Paul Arnette]

I gotta join in on this thread because I purchased this disc this past week and watched the film for this first time.
The only thing that horrified, repeled and disgusted me about this film was how poor the story, acting, and direction were. Of all the things to be offended by in the film, I found the use of the police as some sort of comic relief to be the most insulting.
I can forgive a first time film-maker, as Wes Craven was when this film was made, however, I find Craven a frustrating director at best. One of my top ten favorite horror movies is A Nightmare on Elm Street, but, unfortunately, I find the rest of what I've seen for him range from substandard (Scream) and out right crap (People Under the Stairs). Although, I have not had a chance to watch The Hills Have Eyes, though I would like to if it ever makes it's way to DVD.
I really felt if there was a message in this film, it was lost on me. It just really seemed like pushing the envelope for pushing it's sake.
Look for my copy on eBay...
--
Paul Arnette

 

[eric holm]

I'm not sure which came first but did anyone else find this to be very, very, very similar to 'I Spit on Your Grave'?

Had I known this, I would have passed on it. One of these types of movies in the collection is plenty for the 'shock' value.

 

[Rich Romero]

Jan, I find your comments totally off the mark, close-minded and your basically attacking and classifying people who like this movie.

 

[Justin_S]

If that's what you're looking for, go for it! (I mean that sincerely...I personally enjoy a number of films that I admit are crap.)

Sorry, but LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT is not crap, and you can attack us fans of the film all you want, but in my opinion, you need to stop trying to state your opinion as fact.

 

[BarryS]

Troy,

I got it at Vision Video, A local independent chain based in Athens. I don't know if there's one near you, but there's one in Danielsville and one in Crawford, I think. It's a very cool movie-buff type store.

 

[Robert Ringwald]

Last House on the Left is a repulsive, poorly-produced film that panders to an audience's voyeuristic fascination with rape and torture. If that's what you're looking for, go for it! (I mean that sincerely...I personally enjoy a number of films that I admit are crap.)

I find this a rather slanderous insult. I don't ever watch this movie for the rape and murder scenes. In fact, when people were pushing for an uncut version, I thought "why would you want more blood and gore in the murder and rape of two girls, in a movie that is supposed to be very realistic."

I in fact, fast-forward through the rape and murder scenes, as they bother me that much. If you want a movie that glorifies rape and murder, watch I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE. Last House On The Left is a movie with a point to make, and it's truly disturbing to watch. It gets to me every single time I watch it. But calling me someone who likes to watch people get ripped apart and stuff is rather sickening, and stupid. I never watched a movie to enjoy watching people get killed or raped. I find that insulting to even tell someone that.

 

[Jeff_HR]

I believe that the people who have a problem with this film's content should remember that it is a work of fiction. What occurs is not real. It is the early, & not terribly good efforts of inexperienced film-makers. We are all entitled to our opinions & moral beliefs, but I believe that there are much more important things going on in our world that we can expend our energies on. In actuality "Last House on the Left" is of little importance in the course of our world's events.

 

[Jan Strnad]

Jan, I find your comments totally off the mark, close-minded and your basically attacking and classifying people who like this movie.

Rich,

Please read my posts again. I have never attacked or classified the people who like this movie.

It's a poorly filmed, poorly acted, badly written, repulsive exploitation film. I have no problem with poorly filmed, poorly acted, badly written, repulsive exploitation films...as long as they don't try to pass themselves off as artfully crafted films with a social message to convey.

Just because Last House on the Left is a poorly filmed, poorly acted, badly written, repulsive exploitation film, that doesn't mean you can't like it. If you do, fine. What you put in your brain, and what you do with it once it's there, is up to you.

Jan

 

[Jan Strnad]

Justin_S wrote:

Sorry, but LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT is not crap, and you can attack us fans of the film all you want, but in my opinion, you need to stop trying to state your opinion as fact.

Please read my statement, which you quoted, again. I said that I like a lot of movies I admit are crap. I did not say that Last House on the Left was crap. Well, until now. It is crap. But that doesn't mean you can't like it.
I am not attacking the fans of the movie. Watch and enjoy whatever you want. I'm not your mother, I don't care.
Finally, since the public demands it, here it is: All of my posts, about Last House on the Left or anything else, herewith and forevermore are
IMHO!
And keep a bowl of these on your desk for future use, too.
Jan
Who knows that there are, indeed, ugly babies, but that ugly babies deserve love, too.

 

[JonZ]

Jan,
My conparison to A Clockwork Orange is strictly on the basis of people saying they cant stand to watch women being dehumanised.I was saying I dont think LHOTL is as bad as alot of other films that are much more graphic in the portayal of these acts.

A Clockwork Orange isnt ABOUT these acts, but I dont think think LHOTL is either.

I just saw this film for the first time,I watched it out of curiousity.I DO think (a very young)Craven was pushing as many buttons as possible.But Ive certainly seen worse.

(Back in my late teens)A college radio station played my bands music-the station owner called the JD and said if you ever play that "shit"again youre fired. We took this as absolute victory that we were able to offend someone-BTW lots of people called in a loved it asking who it was. We were pushing buttons - and I think this is what Craven wanted.Some people will look at Crumbs work and say its disgusting shit-others will argue until their dying day its art.

I remember Gene Siskels comments when Schindelrs List played on TV and so many complained about its subject matter as too offensive for national broadcast unedited.
He said "Its about the Holocaust-isnt it supposed to be offensive"

 

[Jan Strnad]

JonZ,
I understand what you're saying.
Wes Craven set out to make a film that would push people's buttons, and he did. That's a success. And as long as people regard LHOTL as being that kind of film, I have no gripe.
Okay, I think that filmmakers should set their sights higher. It's just too easy to set out to offend, and to succeed. But if they're honest about what they're doing, whatever the goal, and accept it for what it is, I really don't have any complaint.
What annoys me is when they try to pretend that it was something deeper and more meaningful, and that's what I believe Craven has done with LHOTL. Not the film itself, not the goal, but the revisionism.
If I've offended anyone or made them feel that they were under attack, I apologize.
One of the things I find refreshing about (the names escape me) the guys who made Dinosaur Island and Attack of the 50-Foot Centerfold, for example, is that they're honest about what they're doing. You could put most of the Troma output in this category. Dinosaur Island is cheesy, it isn't great filmmaking, it has nothing to say, but I enjoy it for what it is and the filmmakers don't claim it's anything but.
For the record, Robert Crumb's stuff (often offensive), I do consider art. Disclaimer: I've met and socialized with Robert Crumb (much of my early writing was in underground comix) so I may be prejudiced. But what he has tried to do with comix is head and shoulders above Craven's attempt with LHOTL, IMHO, and for that matter, head and shoulders above what a lot of the lesser underground comix artists tried to do. Crumb is a national treasure. I don't think Wes Craven is, but again (because I've been accused of presenting my opinions as fact) that's IMHO.
Jan

 

[rhett]

The film is anything but crap, and those that dismiss it as such have not given the film a chance and are acting in a close-minded state.
Rape and murder is a thing that does happen, regardless of whether or not one wishes to believe the contrary. Last House on the Left was one of the first films to graphically depict violence on screen, and it was Craven's intent to shock the audience. Little blood is actually shown, and it is simply the effective technique used in the film that makes it so effective. There are repulsive voyueristic Japanese films like the Guinea Pig movies which contain only violence and torture for the sheer sake of it. Last House on the Left, on the other hand, has a clear message.
The filmmaking process was changing in the early 70's. Films were becomming more gritty, and more realistic. Gone were the lavish 50's and 60's productions, which were replaced with cultural studies like Easy Rider and Last House on the Left. Wes Craven did not just fabricate his exploration of social context within the film, it is very much there.
The main girl who is killed endures a lengthy discussion with her parents before she leaves about the changing times. She argues with her mother about wearing a bra. She, a child of a new generation of revolution, chooses to go out bare and without a bra, while her mother used to wear glamorous and padded bras. The bras clearly symoblize the changing state of film, where 70's films were bare and realistic and 60's films were padded and glamorous. The daughter was right about the changing times, both in society and on film.
Craven is urging filmgoers to adapt to a new style of film, and his theme about a changing time in society is blatantly apparent. Even the parents go through a conversion. At the start they call the police and wait for them to find their girl, like anyone would in olden times. But as films like Death Wish would popularize, taking the law into one's own hands was clearly the new way of vengeance, and that is what the parents did. The said good bye to the old method of policing, and instead took matters into their own hands, ironically like what the younger tortureres did to their baby girl.
To further prove that the film has interlaced themes of social context, even the villains' girlfriend, Sadie expresses fragments from the women liberations of the time. She is her own woman, and she begins to realize and vocalize, her discontent with being treated merely as a sexual object.
Last House on the Left is a film that can only be made in the 1970's. It documents the times and it is surprisingly provocative underneath all of its terror. It does not revel in its violence, it uses it sparringly to prove a point. The amateur acting, directing, cinematography and writing help to enhance the realism of the film, not take away from it. Had this been done with class like it may have been approached in the 1960's then it would not contain half of the fright and terror that the finished product emits.
Just because a film is amateur in look and feel doesn't mean that it is a bad film. There are several other films from Europe in the neo-realism movement that embody the same style of Last House on the Left, but they are regarded as classics, like Last House should be.

 

[BarryS]

Okay, I watched it. Frankly, I don't see how anyone could take this film seriously. I found it thoroughly cheesy, except for the murder scenes. The acting is cheesy, the dialog is cheesy, the music is cheesy. This flick is one big cornball. Often through the movie I thought I was watching a comedy. The villains really aren't frightening. They seem more like cartoon characters.
It's interesting though how the film often goes back and forth between silly and sickening. The murder scenes are effective indeed. I expected more gore than there actually was, but I guess it's a testament to the power of the film that people are so disturbed by these scenes. Personally, I found it less disturbing than the John Waters films of the same era, notably Pink Flamingos and Female Trouble.
I liked the part right after one of the girls is raped where the attackers sort of stand around looking very sullen almost as if they are feeling remorse. Then the girl, in shock, walks into the pond. I thought that was a nice dramatic scene, complete with a somber soundtrack tune playing. That was probably the only moment that the film really got an emotional reaction from me.
Overall, I guess I found it too cheesy to be taken seriously, but I can't deny its sporadic power and intensity. It's obviously a first feature and thankfully Wes Craven went on to bigger and better things. He's a talented director, indeed.
:star::star: out of four.
One last thing. The cover art is very deceptive. It makes the movie seem like some sort of supernatural horror movie (such as Craven's later film The People Under The Stairs) with the creepy house and the skull image on the cover. The Last House on the Left has no supernatural elements, and it's not really a horror film either. I knew what this film was, going into it, but a lot of people will probably be fooled.