View Full Version : Straw dogs. What's it like?
Have seen this cheap have heard it is still banned in the u.k. How many releases are there of it, i heard anchor bay did one are there anymore?
Shingster
10-11-2001, 00:46
I think it's been released on DVD in a couple of European countries, but off the top of my head I couldn't tell which ones. (Germany might be one of them).
Anyway, here's DVDTimes review (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/reviews/other/strawdogs.html) of the Anchor Bay release.
APPRIA40WR
10-11-2001, 07:51
I didn't enjoy it at all. I first saw it 10 years ago and it didn't do much for me and I watched the DVD a year back and it left me cold again.
It's worth a watch though since so many people used to say it was 'banned' and this has left a trail of interest.
www.*********.com have it for £9.99 delivered so you can always sell it on with a profit :D
APPRIA40WR
10-11-2001, 07:53
AFAIK there's only one release -the US/Canadian disc -as reviewed above.
There's another review here (http://www.thebigpicturedvd.com/html_reviews/bpst162.shtml) if you want another opinion.
charlie angel
10-11-2001, 09:52
I like it - it's a powerful film in certain respects, but it's not easy viewing in the least.
The disc is as bare as a bare thing though.
A superb movie and cast some distubing moments and excellent acting,still powerful stuff after all these years.Not for action movie lovers though it is violent the US version is the best.
ive had 3 versions of the movie
the spanish version pal uncut widescreen non anamorphic
the danish version cut and full frame
US anchor bay version non anamorphic uncut best one and the cheapest
If ya enjoy a quality challenging movie this is a classic.
It's one of the most revealing and painfully personal works of art ever created - essential viewing if you have even the slightest interest in Sam Peckinpah. It's not his best film but it is probably his most interesting from a psychological point of view.
In any case, it's a good, exciting thriller with great performances and stunning photography - one of the definitive "English countryside" films along with "Witchfinder General".
Idle Child
10-11-2002, 12:54
ok, i watched this the other nght for the first time :nuts: and i must say i loved it. But i cant see what all the fuss is about surrounding this film? I think the controversey that surrounds it has run away with the apple cart so to speak. I read somewhere that a reviewer hailed it as "the most shocking depiction of on-screen violence" (or something along those lines) and i thought after watching it - "you're having a laugh!". Sure it's a violent film, and has that characteristic Sam Peckinpah style of violence, but it only really erupts at the end.
Also, i didnt think the rape scene was that disturbing. I found the rape scene in Once Upon A Time In America far more disturbing in the sense that the main protagonist played by DeNiro caries out a rape on someone he supposedly loves... that was difficult to watch.
Here though, i believe Peckinpah got into trouble because he dared to suggest that perhaps the woman involved didn't mind the first "rape", and this could be explained by several reasons, as the marriage she is in isn't exactly a bed of roses, Dustin seems to pay more attention to his studies then her, and it's with her old flame in the village. Also, Dustin isn't the most macho of guys when it came to sorting out her problems with the dead cat, so dustin appears inadequet as a man, and this cornish vilager becomes mysteriously dangerous and more masculine in his place.. that made sense (in twisted sort of way).. but it was indeed the second rape assailant's work that was difficult to watch, because she clearly wasn't in the mood for a 2nd afront.
Also i believe critics didnt like it because
it championed the revenge aspect of fighting back for your rights, and Dustin seems to get a kick out of it. So do the audience.. so? It's a natural human instinct i'd argue. Is no-one allowed to get angry and take control for a change.. that arguement seemed ludricrous when it's Dustin's life in danger at the end
both aspects i felt were done well and dare i say with taste. :eek: I think it had a lot to say and if people are uncomfortable with that, then i think they're in denial of their own feelings on the matter, and hold it out of context with what was portrayed in the film.
However, it still didnt live up to my expectations as "THE MOST NOTORIOUS FILM IN BRITISH MOVIE HISTORY BANNED FOR 18 YEARS!" (as the sticker on the front proudly boasted). I was expecting something far more graphically violent and far more disturbing.. Straw Dogs isn't that harsh.
As an aside, I recently bought Hitchcock's 'Frenzy' on DVD - it being one of the few Hitch films I have never seen and both me and my gf found the rape scene and murder pretty disturbing.... has this film ever been subject to any criticism for these scenes?
(Straw Dogs is still in my ‘to watch’ pile of discs so I can't make any specific comment re: those scenes ATM…..)
Idle Child
10-11-2002, 13:12
Originally posted by beebul
(Straw Dogs is still in my ‘too watch’ pile of discs…..)
Do watch it! And then compare the scenes. I haven't actually seen the Hitchcock film you mention.
I think Sam Peckinpah was unfairly victimised at the time because he was thought to be an unhinged "cowboy" character at the time of filming, in dispute with the studio, and he even suffered from alcoholism on the shoot..
But this still doesn't make his film a diabolical piece of cinema, or any more distrubing than countless other movies or BBC TV dramas (for instance) with rape scenes.
Wasn't Hitchcock always the lovey though? He could swoon anyone round in the industry to respect his movies (least that's the impression i get). So i think reputation of the director (aswell as unfair backlashes) has a lot to do with the banning aspect of Straw Dogs.
Have been in two minds about renting this or not. But I think I'll give it a go now.
thebigboss
10-11-2002, 16:23
Whats the best version of Frenzy to buy? Iv'e been thinking of getting this for ages because it's one of my favourite Hitchcock films.
Lovely, lovely;)
AFAIK the UK version of Frenzy is uncut (and the R2 disc I have is anamorphic)...
profondorossoargento
10-11-2002, 16:41
Just like The Exorcist, A Clockwork Orange, and Natural Born Killers, Straw Dogs is nothing particularly special, although it is probably better than most of those other movies, at least the cast can act.
profondorossoargento - yikes me runs to put the disc on now!
If the cast of The Exorcist, A Clockwork Orange, and Natural Born Killers 'can't act' then I must watch Straw Dogs.......
;)
and just to confirm - Straw Dogs isn't banned here anymore - the BBFC have recently passed it uncut for DVD and video release. There's am R2 special edition DVD available with extras...
unlucky alf
10-11-2002, 17:46
Originally posted by Cali
and just to confirm - Straw Dogs isn't banned here anymore - the BBFC have recently passed it uncut for DVD and video release. There's am R2 special edition DVD available with extras...
.....and its great buy it now. I brought it blind and thought it was an excellent film.
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