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’.

The Sumner’s live in a farm house away from the village but the local yokels are there as David employed a handful (including Amy’s old flame) to repair the ruins of what was once the garage, this as they say, is where the trouble beings….

The pace quickens when the seemingly naïve David is getting ready for bed with Amy and he finds the missing cat hanging dead in the wardrobe. After an intense conversation with Amy he believes that ‘Anybody could have done it’ whereas Amy points out that could only be the locals working on the garage.
This spirals into her accusing him of being a coward when she asks that he confronts the workman about the cat. David refuses to accuse them directly and due to his cowardice the workmen end up inside helping to put the Bear trap on the wall for him. Displeased Amy brings out drinks for them including a saucer of milk but the only reaction is from David who was trying to find out the truth in a more discreet way.
The locals then ask him if he shoots and the awkward situation takes a further anxious step as they arrange a hunting trip into the surrounding fields, but this has an evil underlying plan to get him away from the house and leave Amy alone.

Upon David’s return she doesn’t interrupt his ravings about being left out there and withholds her afternoon’s trauma from him even though she has to see her perpetrators later at the annual town hall fate. Arriving there David is greeted by Janice, a young girl and daughter of Tom, and he replies ‘Hello’ in a rather unfriendly manner that leads you to the conclusion she wants him and could well be former friends with Amy. Feeling rejected, Janice seeks the attention of Henry (the kiddy fiddler) and they disappear into the foggy night. For Susan, it’s clear that being among them is too much of an ordeal and David recedes from his efforts to fit in with the heavy drinking regional folk to take her home.
After an incident which accidentally leaves Janice dead, Henry is running through the heavy foggy night when David hits him with the car. Feeling he must help him, seemingly not knowing of Henry’s background, he takes him up to the house where he calls for the Major and a doctor.
Meanwhile back at the village hall word has gotten out that Henry has disappeared with young Janice and Tom flies into a rage fuelled by alcohol and wants her found, but not before warning Henry’s brother of the consequences if he finds anything has happened to his daughter.
David is trying to get help for Henry while at the same time arguing with Amy who doesn’t want him in the house, even though he explains he’s responsible and has to get a doctor. By now the drunk mob have discovered the whereabouts of Henry and are banging at the door. He lets them in but a semi-conscious Henry can’t, or refuses to tell them where Janice is and this sends Tom over the edge. David manages to lock them outside again but this is the spark that lights the fuse for the final conflict in a Ned Kelly style surroundings.

It’s difficult to say whether I should recommend this film or not. I’ve had to tick yes as when talking to others who ask ‘Have you seen it?’ you feel like part of an exclusive club, due to you can always find someone who’ll say ‘I’ve never heard of it’. If you’re a Peckinpah fan by all means yes (the film was coined ‘The British Wild Bunch’) but if you’re after a night in with a decent thriller for you and the missus, this isn’t the one. I found Susan George’s performance stronger than Hoffman’s and the pace starts off a bore, picks up gets interesting an hour in with the last thirty minutes filled with suspense and thrills in a claustrophobic setting.