Review - Last House on the Left

Probably the original public service announcement against the use of drugs . . .

. . . Last House on the Left left me feeling very disturbed. Disturbed and so very sad for John Collingwood (Gaylord St. James), Estelle Collingwood (Cynthia Carr), Mari Collingwood (Sandra Cassell) and Phyllis Stone (Lucy Grantham). Two beautiful young girls, cut down in their prime. One perfect suburban family torn apart by the violence, insanity and drug abuse of four pieces of crap from the bottom of the world's slimiest barrel.

The basic storyline goes like this: Two young girls, Mari and Phyllis, are going to a concert in the big city. On their way, they stop off to score some grass. Unfortunately, they run into Junior (Marc Sheffler) who has been waiting for some unsuspecting souls to bring up to the "family." The "family" consists of three other lowlifes - his dad, Krug Stillo (David Hess); dad's girlfriend, Sadie (Jeramie Rain); and Fred 'Weasel' Podowski (Fred Lincoln). Once captured the girls are sadistically raped, tortured and finally murdered. Unbeknownst to the four lowlifes, they end up crashing for the night at the home of the late Mari Collingwood. After a while the Collingwoods realize what has become of their missing daughter and decide to exact a little of their own brand of revenge.

The film itself reminded me a great deal of I Spit on Your Grave (yes, I know ISOYG came out second, but I saw it first). However, it did seem to me that Last House focused more on the violent aspects of the attacks than ISOYG did. The scene where Sadie disembowels one of her prey really makes me feel a little queasy even now. I think it is because I wasn't expecting it. A few of the more violent scenes in the movie struck me in this same way - just very unexpected.

There was also a comedic side to the film. Its stark contrast to the seriousness of the violent attacks left me feeling - well, strange to be quite honest. I found myself very angry at the bumbling idiocy of the sheriff and the deputy. There were so many points during the film that if they had not have been such complete bafoons, the girls' fate may have been quite different. In the end the realization of the part they played in the madness that took place in the Last House on the Left was evident in their faces.

Last House on the Left was a horrifyingly disturbing look into the minds of some very sick and demented individuals as seen through the eyes and innocence of youth. One of the first works by director Wes Craven, this film is definitely a must see for fans of this genre.

Last House On The Left Movie Cast and Credits

Directed by
Wes Craven

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Wes Craven

Cast (in credits order)
Sandra Cassel .... Mari Collingwood
Lucy Grantham .... Phyllis Stone
David Hess .... Krug Stillo (as David A. Hess)
Fred J. Lincoln .... Fred 'Weasel' Podowski (as Fred Lincoln)
Jeramie Rain .... Sadie
Marc Sheffler .... Junior Stillo
Gaylord St. James .... Dr. John Collingwood
Cynthia Carr .... Estelle Collingwood
Ada Washington .... Ada, chicken coop truck driver
Marshall Anker .... Sheriff
Martin Kove .... Deputy
Ray Edwards .... Postman
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jonathan Craven .... Boy With Balloon (uncredited)
Anthony J. Forcelli .... Ice Cream Store Clerk (uncredited)