The Last House on the Left (1972)
Average Rating: 5.5/10
Reviews Counted: 30
Fresh: 19 | Rotten: 11
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 5.2/10
Critic Reviews: 5
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 2
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.1/5
User Ratings: 27,304
My Rating
Movie Info
Wes Craven's first film was a crude but shocking horror opus that, like George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead (1968), became a grind house hit largely because it went much further than terror films before it had been willing to go. Often compared to Ingmar Bergman's stark medieval rape drama The Virgin Spring (1960) (though one wonders whether this was influence or just coincidence), Last House on the Left follows a group of teenage girls heading into the city when they hook up with a gang
Aug 30, 1972 Wide
Aug 27, 2002
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Cast
-
Cynthia Carr
Mrs. Collingwood -
Sandra Cassel
Mari Collingwood -
Lucy Grantham
Phyllis Stone -
Martin Kove
Deputy -
Jeramie Rain
Sadie -
Marc Sheffler
Junior -
Gaylord St. James
Dr. Collinewood -
Ada Washington
Ada -
David Hess
Krug -
Fred Lincoln
Weasel -
Marshall Anker
Sheriff
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All Critics (31) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (25) | Rotten (13) | DVD (29)
It isn't artistically adroit, but if success in this genre is counted by squirms, it's a success.
Top CriticCraven's cold, flat style of filming emphasises the fact that the violence dehumanises not only the victims but the aggressors.
The party who wrote this sickening tripe and also directed the inept actors is Wes Craven.
A tough, bitter little sleeper of a movie that's about four times as good as you'd expect.
A depraved exploitation film specifically designed to shock and repulse viewers...also a cultural artifact reflective of and reactive to the time it was made... [Blu-ray]
For those of you who never bothered with the import release, you'll find yourself in a state of filthy nirvana. So, double-dip away without hesitation!
The Last House on the Left Collector's Edition is a mishmash of already-seen extras, but there are some all-new bonus features including commentary by Hess, Sheffler and Lincoln.
The exceedingly low-rent production values subsequently ensure that the more overtly horrific elements within Craven's script often fall completely flat...
Amateurish bloodbath that became a cult-horror hit.
An ugly, disturbing, passionately conceived cult favorite, Last House on the Left is much more complex (albeit crudely made) than its controversial reputation would suggest.
Sartorially dated certainly, but still powerful, disturbing and raw.
Craven and company tap into something hot, dark and deep.
if one is not disgusted enough to stop watching, one is left wishing that the movie would show more than it does
It's disgusting and gripping at the same time.
A estúpida tentativa de combinar cenas de violência realista com outras de humor pedestre anula o impacto do filme e nos leva a questionar a sanidade do jovem Craven.
Audience Reviews for The Last House on the Left
Super Reviewer
This is an all together gruesome affair, but the film hits the audience with more than just a visceral punch to the gut. It hits hard emotionally and mentally as well. You could write an academic essay arguing how morality plays into the film, and could easily provide an argument defending what Mari's parents do as justifiable, even though what they do is almost as bad as what Krug and Co. do. The fact that the audience can identify with the girls and feel sorry for them is what makes this an unforgettable and terrifying film.
It's low budget and the time period that it was made are easily seen, but those are forgiveable if everything else works, but also can help a film at times, giving it a more raw and messy feel that only adds to the atmosphere. As horrifying as the film can be, something does stick out.The music is rather contrasting, leading to a very mixed film tonally. Use of contrasting music doesn't always pan out successfully, and I wonder why the film couldn't just pick a tone and stick with it. That's pretty much my only real issue though.
If you can find this one, give it a shot. It's by no means perfect, but is certainly a great work nonetheless.
Super Reviewer
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Latest News on The Last House on the Left
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Foreign Titles
- The Last House on the Left (1972) (DE)
- The Last House on the Left (1972) (UK)
