Straw Dogs [Blu-ray] [1971] [US Import]

Absolutely notorious, at the time of its release, for its graphic violence. I had to wait a dreadfully long time before getting the opportunity to see this gut-wrenching film. First of all, in Turkish on Turkish television(!), just to see what it was all about. Subsequently, as very late-night viewing on French television (with sub-titles).Nothing can really prepare the viewer for what is likely to be one of the most uncomfortable film experiences they will ever endure. I'm reminded, somewhat, of the feeling i had at the start of the original "Texas Chainsaw Massacre". One just knows that this is not going to be a very enjoyable experience. Susan George "acts" the "rape" scene so well, that she's almost certainly shedding real tears. (And how old was she when this film was made?) I'm not as keen on Dustin Hoffman, in his role. He seems a bit miscast. And apparently he was very hard on Sam Peckinpah during shooting, trying to get him replaced."Straw Dogs" starts off quite slowly. There's an interesting depiction of a sort of circa 1970 merry olde Englandesque village in Cornwall, which is populated by some distinctly unsavoury characters. (Peter Vaughan's is particularly unpleasant.) The film slowly builds into an extremely tense psychological drama, and features some absolutely vintage Peckinpah moments. The sequence in the village hall, for example, where Susan George meets the men who had just recently violated her. The climactic siege is, similarly, quite unforgettable.Careful which version you buy, as a reviewer previously stated. My Dutch/French(?) copy has the running time of 111 minutes, and the second part of the rape scene has, indeed, been edited/censored. Although this scene is dreadfully disturbing, "Straw Dogs" demands to be seen in an entirely uncut version.

I watched this film last night for the first time in 40 odd years! I have to say that it’s still a very compelling watch and a great film from that period. It’s aged very well too.Both Hoffman and Susan George are just brilliant and very unfortunate not win major gongs for their performances.Whilst the ‘rape scene’ caused quite a stir, Clockwork Orange, from the same year did exactly the same, this is often over-looked? Neither movie won an Oscar?The movie mirrors similar themes to other flicks – Wicker Man, Of Mice & Men etc.Susan George’s role as Amy is one of the main elements to the film. She persuades her rather ‘nerdish’ husband, David, to return to her roots in Cornwall – where she knows full well that one of her ex-lovers still resides?She frequently challenges her rather dull but intellectual husband, even latterly when their lives are at risk! He constantly has to plead with her for help. The initial rape scene shows that she still has some feelings for her ex-lover, as does her reaction when he asks her to open the door, and then, especially so, when he is throttled by the ‘ man trap’ and is clearly dying - this reduces her to tears? All in all, not the sort of woman you want on your side, but brilliantly acted by Susan George nonetheless.David is calmness personified though clearly irritated by his rather disloyal wife. He may give the impression that he’d be happier to talk things through but is actually very handy with a poker! There are several good little cameos too to keep one interested. Whilst he content is not particularly pleasant, I found this an excellent watch.

Sam Peckinpah was without doubt one of America's finest film-makers, turning out some classics that are brilliant (Wild Bunch, The Getaway and Bring me the Head of Alfredo Garcia). Straw Dogs is gripping and shocking drama/thriller set in a Cornish village. The film is about David, a nerdy mathematician who arrives with his wife, Amy, to stay at her old home. Unfortunately for them, Amy's old boyfriend is around and the rowdy village people are downright hostile to the civilised and meek David. It isn't long before Amy's old boyfriend is making moves on her, and the village people take advantage of David. What follows is one man's vicious transformation from meek and pacifist to violent and vicious when pushed to the limit. Peckinpah shows underlying everyone (even the meekest people) lies the ability for extreme and vicious violence when needed. Dustin Hoffman plays David brilliantly as uncertain of himself, Susan George is good as Amy: free-willed but attention-starved. The film cleverly builds the tension and anger in David as he find himself backed into a corner and there is great acting from the supporting cast who really carry themselves off as intimidating and repulsive. Straw Dogs is at heart a Western transported to a different setting with tale of one man having to protect what is his, but Peckinpah creates a original story with interesting characters, tense atmosphere and violence waiting to explode.

Can see why the bbfc had trouble releasing it for the rape bit of the film and violence in the film but the ending is some what a bit of a disappointment it is like what

Peckinpah's West Country western was controversial at the time and still has the power to shock. Probably most notorious for its double rape scene (made even more so by the suggestion their was little acting involved) George is on record as saying Peckinpah wanted it 'real'. At the end of the scene George's character turns around and stares accusingly, supposedly at her ex-lover, but was in fact looking at the smiling Peckinpah as if to say, you B****rd.Agree this is probably George's best ever performance and she outshines an unusually drab performance by Hoffman. Poor Peter Vaughan is cast as the villain again. He was by all accounts a very sweet man in real life. The remake isn't a patch on the original.