Review of Straw Dogs (1971) by Col. C — 02 Jan 2008
Straw Dogs has been very high up on my "movies to see" list ever since I've had one, and I'm sure glad I finally got around to it tonight - as it's very likely the best thriller I've ever seen.
Dustin Hoffman plays David Summer, a young, sheepish American mathematician who moves to rural England to live with his British wife, Amy (Susan George), and faces escalating harassment from a particular group of boorish locals.
In addition to another amazing early performance from Hoffman (this film was made a few years after The Graduate), and the tight script, Straw Dogs displays some truly excellent filmmaking from Sam Peckinpah, an American legend I'm only just becoming familiar with.
Indeed, this is a perfect film. The tension in the film is palpable and rises naturally towards the violent, epic climax that should have any viewer with a pulse on the edge of their seat the entire time.
This film should be required viewing for any aspiring film director if just for its brilliant pacing. It's a lesson in affective editing, also. This film automatically earns "classic" status from me, I was absolutely taken aback and pleased by this film.
It can be disturbing at times (the famous rape scene, for example), but should be seen by everyone mature enough to handle it.
This review of Straw Dogs (1971) was written by Col. C on 02 Jan 2008.
Straw Dogs has generally received positive reviews.
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