Customer Reviews

Savage Streets [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It's tough to get a fix on this movie: it's a boisterous, R-rated camp-fest one minute(featuring a group of kids, including Linda Blair, who look far too old to still be in high school)and an unabashedly brutal trash-flick the next. It has more spirit and drive than Linda's "Chained Heat", and the kids' inter-relationships and tough talks with the school principal are cynically amusing, but the much-discussed rape scene is extremely nasty, as is the sequence with the girl on the bridge. Suddenly these hot-shot punks become murderous, psychotic thugs--yet the tone of the picture never changes. The images are very disturbing, the violence bordering on realistic, but the director keeps it all hopping mad--like a nihilistic cartoon. B-

I was a little hesitant in ordering this DVD when I read some of the previous reviews for this '80s trash-flick. Points mentioned like the frame stability of the movie, blurry transfer etc. Having the original Vestron VHS from 1985, I figured I would take the plunge & buy the DVD to make a comparison & make your decision to buy this '80s drive-in movie easier. First off, New Star has retained the original box art of "Savage Streets" that was used for the Vestron VHS version. The only difference is that the artwork has been compressed so that Linda Blair doesn't look as wide as on the VHS box art. The "Savage Streets" logo has changed to a white block letter font compared to the pink lettering used in the original artwork. The same synopsis has been used on the back of the DVD as the Vestron version. For the picture quality, it's about the same. This movie has always had a misty-veiled look to it. It's in focus & the fleshtones on the DVD are a little more natural than the Vestron VHS version. With the Vestron VHS, the flesh tones looked a little washed out & pastey. One thing that stands out is the frame instability of this movie. It's more apparent on the New Star DVD than on the Vestron VHS version. The beginning credits move up & down in both versions & some scenes throughout this film, but the DVD really shows up this filming flaw more. I never noticed a problem with the sound on the VHS version, but the DVD version is very clear, even on a circa 1982 mono Electrohome console TV. Finally, in the DVD version, there are a couple of scenes that show a clear horizontal noise line which looks like it has originated from the master tape. This is not a big deal, but you would think that if Jef Films (New Star) invested in digitally remastering this movie, then they would at least get a prestine print of it. My only complaint is that at the beginning of the disc you are forced to sit through a preview of "Cannibal Taboo". It doesn't allow you to exit this preview, you have to fast-forward through it to get to the main menu. The only added feature on this disc is a written biography of Linda Blair & a list of her theatrical releases(her made-for-TV ventures are not included). There are also scene selections, which is basic fare for a DVD. In conclusion, if you are a fan of Linda Blair, like I am, or you like '80s vigilante flicks, then this New Star DVD release is not as bad as previously reviewed. It would have been a nice touch to include the original movie trailer, and a keepcase insert of the original movie poster, but that's just a suggestion on my part. There are far worse DVDs out on the market, so with this one I give 5 stars for the movie & 4 for the actual DVD production.

this video is a wonderful action flick for girls. it has the ultimate tough chic in it-linda blair, who has a heart as big as her attitude when it comes to her deafmute sister and friends. the only thing about the movie i did not like was the prolonged rape scene. how often is an action movie made where the hero is a chic who isn't just boobs that a girl could actually enjoy watching w/o getting sick? i would recommend this one to all my friends. i was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

When I first bought this video many years ago, I watched it repeatedly. I have always been a Linda Blair fan, especially since I spent many years being told how much I look like her, and even getting an autograph request once.

Of all the movies I've seen in Blairs filmography, this is among the top. It is also a teen genre original in the sense that we're dealing with a girl gang going up against the guys. These come in the form of three miscreants that terrorize the town. Linda and her gang laugh at them, like they're jokes. After her gang steals their car for a joyride and trashes it, the three guys plot revenge in the form of a sadistic raping of Linda's pretty, but deaf mute sister. This scene is particularly and unnecessarily brutal because of the handicap of the victim, and the only part of the film I didn't like. The three also convince Vince, a weak and stupid sidekick of theirs, to participate as well. When our heroine finds out what has happened, she sets out in true Bronson-like fashion, for revenge. Her weapon of choice? Hey, YOU have to watch and find out! It's truly original.

This movie has a great eighties retro feel as well. The big hair, headbands, fashions. It's just how I dressed when Linda Blair herself came to the radio station where I was an on-air personality, to promote this film. She kept looking at me, as one of my fellow jocks was interviewing her. I guess she saw the resemblance herself! I regret not talking to her, for a disc-jockey, I found myself tongue-tied for the first time!

"Savage Streets" is a fascinating tough chicks whoop the bad guys film that'll keep you riveted. Even ladies prison movie vet Carol Ita White (Chained Heat, The Naked Cage) is reunited briefly here with Blair as a gym teacher. I LOVE that lockeroom scene. Linda is ultra cool and funny as she disses a stuck-up cheerleader who thinks she is trying to steal her man. "I wouldn't (...)him if he had the last (...)on earth!" You fill in the blanks!

The endless vulgarities, expletives, smoked cigarettes, and gratuitous nudity may offend some, but I think this film is highly entertaining. The short running time goes by very quickly as you watch, which means you really get caught up in it.

For those of us who aren't "movie snobs" and LOVE a foray into B movie greatness, here's an exciting, action-packed retro 80s trip you need to take. I can guarantee you won't be bored for a second.

By buying this bootleg from a VHS tape you're ensuring that this film will never come out legitimately remastered from film elements and with extras! Seriously folks, don't buy anything put out by this company, Jef Films, they've been stealing films left and right, including several well-known titles, and are simply killing any potential sales of the titles to legitimate companies who will treat the films right. I am appalled that this currently (at the time of this writing) is ranked at #7,846 on the Amazon DVD charts, which means in terms of this niche market it's a success. Shame on all of you who bought this disc when you could have just burned your VHS tape to a DVD-R for $2 and still helped ensure that the film will be treated properly in the future!! Any DVD release put out by Jef Films, Televista, New Star, etc. is a BOOTLEG!!!!

A small thriller with the good actress Linda Blair ruined by the absence of technical treatment ( the film is almost 20 years old)
the sound is fine. But the image shakes a lot at the beginning it is awfully blurred and waned as if the technician brought a digital camera in a movie theater to record the film... on the screen !
Avoid this version (New Star Video) that is supposed to be digitally remastered.
too bad for the original I appreciated in 1984

Well to say the least i must be in love with linda blair,
because to except the dvd SAVAGE STREETS i must be.
It appears to be another one of those bad transfers its almost,
like watching a vhs the qaulity is ok but if i wanted it on vhs,
i would have bought a vhs.But anyway this movie is in my opinion one of her better roles.Even though this movie is a low budget flick it will maybe keep your attention.The start of the movie is most interesting linda dresses in that old style spandex and a very tight and reveling shirt.Ive said too much already.
But how i wish it was dvd qaulity but anyway i will add it to my collection and someday maybe someone will release a real dvd version.

thanx
linda fan

This was a surprisingly good movie, with descent acting,a great plot, and an equally satisfying lead actress. Linda Blair stars as Brenda in this motion picture and adds a lot to the movie as well as the role. In the end, all i can say is that you should give this movie a chance, like i did.

This is one of my favourite 80's movies. The rape scene and the violence is quite intense but frightfully realistic. At times your so drawn into the movie that your full of compassion. The music draws you into the whole 80's experience...

Holy God, this is truly a work of art. Danny Steinmann is an underrated master of cinema. He has done some of the best film ever made. Friday the 13th part V is one of them. This movie got everything, sexy Linda Blair doing nude scenes, plenty of action, an awesome soundtrack. This flick deserves to be on dvd with plenty of extras. Watch Linda Blair as she goes against a gang of nasty bad guys and try to avenge her sister's rape. Classic stuff here everyone! It 's a crying shame that this movie is out of print. Try to find it and you will love it, at least if you have good taste in movies.

masterpiece **** out of ****