During its first run in the early 70s this was the only movie I ever walked out on (until Alien vs. Predator last year), and the only one I rated 1 out of 10. However, I watched it recently and I've changed my mind.
Certainly there have been many more explicitly violent films in the 30 odd years since Last House on the Left debuted, but this movie still stands up for pure psychological impact. Despite the sometimes over the top banter among the criminals it still has a kind of realism that makes its "its only a movie" tag line particularly appropriate.
This is not a great film (and it is still uncomfortable viewing), but it is a good film. Unless you're a sociopath yourself you won't enjoy the violence any more than the violence in the opening of "Saving Private Ryan", but you won't forget it. I never did.
Wes Craven has nothing to be ashamed of here.
I give it 7 of out 10.
Certainly there have been many more explicitly violent films in the 30 odd years since Last House on the Left debuted, but this movie still stands up for pure psychological impact. Despite the sometimes over the top banter among the criminals it still has a kind of realism that makes its "its only a movie" tag line particularly appropriate.
This is not a great film (and it is still uncomfortable viewing), but it is a good film. Unless you're a sociopath yourself you won't enjoy the violence any more than the violence in the opening of "Saving Private Ryan", but you won't forget it. I never did.
Wes Craven has nothing to be ashamed of here.
I give it 7 of out 10.