Rating of
2/4
Classic Slasher, But a Victim of Time
Franz Patrick - wrote on 10/14/08
Even though this was released in 1972, it’s still really disturbing compared today’s standards (or lack thereof some might argue). This is Wes Craven’s first film and though it may seem really dated, it shows a lot of promise when it comes to its story. It’s a horror film and a revenge movie wrapped in one. There are three factors that holds this movie back: the comical scenes regarding the police, its low level of cinematography due to its low budget, and the amateur acting. The script is fine because I thought some of the dialogue was interesting to listen to; the direction and pacing are not that bad. I’ve had my share of violent pictures but when this movie’s teeth started to show, I couldn’t help but wince. After watching this film, it became apparent to me why this became a template for the slasher flicks that invaded the 1980’s. I’ve heard that this movie is going to have a remake and I can imagine that the upgrade will be just as violent or even more so. Hopefully, the remake will improve upon the flaws that this film had because despite its violence, its impact on the horror genre is undeniable.
