Straw Dogs (DVD) > Reviews

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~ ~ I recently came across this old movie from the early 70’s while scouring my local video shop for something to pass away an idle evening. This is a thriller from the stable of director Sam Peckinpah, who was renowned, (some say notorious) for the graphic portrayals of violence in his films. He was one of the first Hollywood directors to use the slow motion technique to further highlight violent scenes, and to better shock the cinema audience ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic performances, great story
Disadvantages: Very Violent

Straw Dogs is a Sam Pekinpah film, adapted from 'The Siege of Trenchers Farm' a 1969 novel by Gordon Williams, it is known by many simply for the brutal violences which seemed shocking at the time but now seems brutal but not out of the ordinary. It has a reputation due to a brutal rape scene, which is awful, but absolutely relevant to the story and the dramatic events that follow. As it was not allowed for home release it developed a notoriety ... Read review

Advantages: originally 'Banned' gives it must see appeal
Disadvantages: rape scene uncomfortable to watch

Released in 1971 Straw dogs caused outrange due to the level of violence and resulted in the film being banned for 18 years. Right, I’m going to try get through this review without using the words ‘cult’ and ‘classic’. Directed by Sam Peckinpah, whom it could be argued was famed for the portrayal of violence in his work, the film is set in a sleepy Cornish village (filmed only about 5 miles from Lands End in St. Buryan) and it can be difficult ... Read review

Advantages: A cult film
Disadvantages: Strange Characters and Storyline, A horrible rape Scene

This film revolves around the couple. David and Amy Sumner. I think the directors intention was for us to find it a hard film to watch. This is told by the first person camera angles during the famous and explicitly brutal 'Rape' scene. The term used loosely. David is a wimp.Meek & frail, Plain and simple, has no views on anything and just wants to live his life. Amy is the flirtacious wife and seems to hate everything about David. Storyline: ... Read review

Advantages: good story line, good acting
Disadvantages: gory, chilling, disturbing

This Film is about a mild mannered phyisicist (american) who moves with his british wife to cornwall where she grew up. The film starts with small hints of things to come eg a gaping bear trap. Since the House the couple are living in is run down they recruite some of the girls childhood friends to do the building. soon the lads start abusing the couple hanging there cat and raping the woman. after the village idiot accidently kills the locals dons ... Read review