|
| • Advanced Search • Help |
The Last House on the Left | Year: 1972 Classification: Horror Directed: - Wes Craven Actors/Actresses: - Sandra Cassel - Lucy Grantham Influential yet largely ho-hum Many horror fans consider "The Last House on the Left" a major cult classic, a movie that changed forever the very conceptions of the genre. Made in the early 1970s on a shoestring budget, the movie boasts several memorable performances, gritty urban set pieces contrasted with scenes shot in peaceful woods, gruesome violence, and teeth gritting psychological torture. If praise for "The Last House on the Left" rested solely upon these merits, the movie would differ very little from other cult classic shock-o-ramas like "I Spit on Your Grave," or "The Hills Have Eyes." What makes the film a cut above the rest, if you can say that without groaning, are the filmmakers involved in the project. None other than Wes Craven and Sean Cunningham wrote and lensed this motion picture. Craven, as even non-horror fans know, went on to worldwide success with the "Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Scream" franchises. Cunningham, less known outside the world of slasher cinema, was the guiding light behind the first (and best) "Friday the 13th" film. "The Last House on the Left" was the first real project for both men. The movie made a killing at the box office in the days when filmmakers could still distribute films to small theater chains. The plot is ghastly in its simplicity. Two attractive young girls, Mari and Phyllis, plan on heading into the city to have some fun. Once there, they unfortunately approach an escaped convict in order to procure some drugs. The guy, some wild haired loony heroin addict referred to as Junior, sweet talks the girls up to an apartment where his compatriots are hiding. These escapees are desperate people--there's the leader of the gang, the sadistic thug Krug Stillo (David Hess), the razor thin psycho Fred "The Weasel" Podowski, and Sadie, the gang's moll. All four of these outcasts are fugitives from the law, but cannot help planning further egregious crimes when they catch sight of the two girls. They end up driving the hapless gals out into the woods where the gang proceeds to mentally and physically torture them. It's not necessary to go into specifics about the horrible deeds perpetrated on these two nice looking young ladies except to say it's pretty horrible. Craven and Cunningham even show some of the more objectionable scenes up close in vivid color (and outtakes on the disc provide an even closer view of the general nastiness). What is of interest takes place after the gang disposes of their victims. You see, Mari's parents just happen to live on the edge of these very woods, and a very interesting exchange occurs when the gang happens to turn up on their victim's doorstep looking for shelter. Mari's parents have been worried sick about their missing daughter. Since they are decent, upright citizens, they call in the local police (one of the cops played by Martin Kove, by the way) and file a missing persons report. Still, no Mari. When their daughter's killers show up posing as traveling salesmen, these decent folks How could Wes Craven do this?!!!! This movie is nothing like people say it is. It is the worst movie I have ever seen. The only part good about it was the breasts( I say breast I was afraid I wouldn't get posted) and nothing else. I didn't even finish watching it. completly stunk this movie really sucked, nothing more. I gave it one star because Wes Craven is my favorite movie writer/director. Buy The Last House On The Left at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Last House On The Left Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Last House On The Left This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
|
