Customer Reviews

I Spit on Your Grave [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

When movies first came out on video there were two legendary exploitation films I had to track down. One was "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and the other was "I Spit on Your Grave," which is actually the more memorable film of the pair overall (although I do grant the highest place to the "hook" scene in TCM). Director Meir Zarchi's 1978 film has become rather infamous, since critics hated it, audiences were outraged, and the film was banned in Germany and Great Britain. The story, such as it is, finds Jennifer Hill (Camille Keaton, Buster's grand-niece) out in the woods of Connecticut to work on a novel when she crosses the path of some local boys who decide she should be the first sexual partner for their mentally-disabled friend. When he cannot complete the rape, his friends do it for him. Then they decide that they are not done with Jennifer.

At issue are not Jennifer's specific acts of revenge, including the infamous bathroom scene, but rather the series of brutal rapes that precede them. I do not want to meet anyone who is not disturbed by these rape scenes and I think it is fairly obvious that Zarchi intended to make audiences uncomfortable. In retrospect you have to wonder about all those movies with rape scenes that do NOT upset the audience. But Zarchi certainly pours it on thick, absolutely assuring that things go beyond the tolerance level of anyone who watches this film. So the bottom line is that this film will upset you and it is therefore effective at doing exactly what it wants to do, which is supposed to be a good thing, right? I have always considered this an "X" rated movie although I would not consider it pornographic in the traditional sense. But it is a very disturbing film and I do not think I would want my kids to see it until after they graduate college (if ever). Anyone renting this film for cheap thrills is in for a shock.

As I now understand it, this 1978 film was originally released as "Day of the Woman," but that rather innocuous title was replaced by the well known "I Spit on Your Grave," although the film was also screened as "I Hate Your Guts" and "The Rape and Revenge of Jennifer Hill." All of this is interesting since it seems the producers were trying to pass off this film with both higher and lover levels of pretention. Beyond being letterboxed, this DVD offers nothing than the cheesy original theatrical trailer. But this is one film where you would certainly like to have to hear what the director has to say.

Meir Zarchi's classic "I Spit on your Grave" is an assault on your senses. It graphically depicts the most vile acts known to man: rape and murder. It is quite a strong pro-capital punishment document. It is a story of rape and revenge, that makes you feel totally uneasy. It is not your average horror movie. It doesn't offer many jump out of your seat, visceral scares...it just plain out disturbs you. If you like this one...check out Wes Craven's "Last House on the Left" (1972)

Without doubt uncomfortable to watch at times, but exactly the reason it is hired and searched for 20 years on. The ability to shock with a small budget seems to have dissapeared these days, so watch one of the films that began a genre. Not recommended for first dates.

The plot has been used over and over again to the point of death, but works great in this flick. It's so realistic, My roomate and I questioned the "acting!" A woman is raped by four men (one of which is retarded and adds humor to the film, especially when he throws his hat off before raping the girl and crying out "OLE!") Left for dead, the girl plots revenge. JEFF DELL'S FAVORITE FILM!!!!

This movie is real. I have never seen a horror movie that scared me as much as this one did. Watching the actress, you know very well that rape is the terrible act and should not happen to anyone, but it still can. Of course, some of the rape scenes were so graphic I could not watch them and I had to fast-forward, but the revenge the woman gets on her predators makes the film quite worthwhile. Excellent!

This film has everything! The movie starts as takes a trip into the woods. The reason for this trip is to inspire her novel(she is a writer).Then she is brutally raped, several times, but..... she seeks revenge, I wont give any of the good details away. If you can handle explicit subject matter, go for it. MPAA Rating: R for graphic violence, rape, nudity, sex and some profanity (Available in a more explicit unrated version).

This is not a typical "spook" horror movie. The realism of brutality that this movie shows is scary (something like this could actually happen). The rape scenes are graphic and lengthy so women should prepare themselves. Most of the revenge/ murder scenes are also graphic, and may be considered equally disturbing or justified. This is one of those movies that stays in your mind after viewing.

As a criminal justice major I viewed this movie to find out if this was something worth debating, I was grossly offended not only by what took place in the movie but the way justice was inflicted, I by no means permit what happened but it doesn't excuse what the woman did, and the fact that it was based on a real criminal act makes me question the judicial system.

This film does not glamorize rape as it has often been accused of, but rather makes you feel what it must be like to be subjected to such a demeaning act, and, consequently, how it would feel to exact revenge on those who wronged you. Incredible direction, nearly technically flawless, and full of rich and creative Fruedian imagery, I Spit on Your Grave is on par with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. END

This is the absolute worst movie I've ever seen there's absoultly no music, or plot for that matter. The acting is horrid. Stay away from it at all costs. END