Last House On The Left: Ultimate Edition (3 Discs)

As with most horror classics (think The Exorcist, Texas Chain Saw, Halloween), Last House does not benefit from being a film of its time. While I respect the opinion of the below reviewers, its worth remembering that when this came out, there was simply and literally NOTHING like this.

There had never been a film which so closely depicted the sadistic torment, rape and ultimately murder of a character. There was no "bad guy" who was so clearly deranged and depraved, let alone had been able to form a dysfunctional family with other evil nutters.

If you are a fan of horror films you have to examine the history: without this film - and even acknowledging Last House has many flaws (and it really does) - then we would not have seen the sea-change which led to some of the greatest horror movies ever being made.

It might not have the power to "scare" the way it did 35+ years ago, but it still disturbs. It's a landmark horror movie, and one which should not be ignored by… more »

As with most horror classics (think The Exorcist, Texas Chain Saw, Halloween), Last House does not benefit from being a film of its time. While I respect the opinion of the below reviewers, its worth remembering that when this came out, there was simply and literally NOTHING like this.

There had never been a film which so closely depicted the sadistic torment, rape and ultimately murder of a character. There was no "bad guy" who was so clearly deranged and depraved, let alone had been able to form a dysfunctional family with other evil nutters.

If you are a fan of horror films you have to examine the history: without this film - and even acknowledging Last House has many flaws (and it really does) - then we would not have seen the sea-change which led to some of the greatest horror movies ever being made.

It might not have the power to "scare" the way it did 35+ years ago, but it still disturbs. It's a landmark horror movie, and one which should not be ignored by true horror and/or Wes Craven fans.

The good news is, this is a superb DVD package for a film that created the American slasher movie genre (paving the way for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween and Friday The 13th). Comes with filmmakers & actors commentaries; making-of docu (40mins); different version of the film; previously unseen uncut footage; outtakes; soundtrack featurette; David Hess interview in England; an extra Wes Craven short film; plus disc #3 devotes itself to a stand-alone 90min documentary about the birth and development of the slasher movie, with its own extras of commentaries and additional interviews. All in all, well worth buying if you're a horror fan.

The bad news is, the film itself is total and utter garbage! I'm a very liberal soul, but how anyone can like this piece of cinematic filth and ineptitude is beyond me. Nobody expects a filmmaker's first attempt to win Best Picture, but for it to turn out this bad is shocking to say the least. Barebones direction, empty script, amateur… more »

The good news is, this is a superb DVD package for a film that created the American slasher movie genre (paving the way for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween and Friday The 13th). Comes with filmmakers & actors commentaries; making-of docu (40mins); different version of the film; previously unseen uncut footage; outtakes; soundtrack featurette; David Hess interview in England; an extra Wes Craven short film; plus disc #3 devotes itself to a stand-alone 90min documentary about the birth and development of the slasher movie, with its own extras of commentaries and additional interviews. All in all, well worth buying if you're a horror fan.

The bad news is, the film itself is total and utter garbage! I'm a very liberal soul, but how anyone can like this piece of cinematic filth and ineptitude is beyond me. Nobody expects a filmmaker's first attempt to win Best Picture, but for it to turn out this bad is shocking to say the least. Barebones direction, empty script, amateur dramatics, ridiculous comic interludes - how this film has endured for 37yrs with a worldwide fanbase staggers me. All that said, it is an important film that should never have been banned (except maybe for its criminal waste of film stock!!!), but it is a piece of film genre history. So if you're a mad movie geek like me, you'll want this Ultimate Edition in your collection, just like the Special Editions of all the greatest films ever made you already have stacked around your home cinema system.

Film rating - *
DVD rating - ****