This film, Wes Craven's first, has earned notoriety for its brutality and
gore.  The gore has far been surpassed in films since, but what still stands
out in this film today is the brutality.  It should make any viewer squirm,
never mind just the faint-hearted.  The torture, rape and murder scenes all
feel like you're sharing the pain of the victims, sitting there watching it
happen, but unable to do anything about it.  Sure, the film is dated, the
acting is poor is some spots, the editting and dialogue aren't great.  But
it is still shocking.

Mari, about to celebrate her 17th birthday, and her friend Phyllis are on
their way to a "bad neighborhood" to see a band when they encounter escaped
convicts.  The criminals kidnap and torture them.  The abused girls are put
in the trunk and taken away as the convicts try to escape.  When the car
breaks down near Mari's home (one needs to have a leap of coincidental faith
here), the girls try to fight their way free.  What happens next I won't
share - you'll have to watch it.  And, as the trailer says, "To avoid
fainting, keep repeating "It's only a movie...It's only a movie..."."
 
 
 

Quality: 4.0  Visuals: 4.5  Intensity: 6.0  Gore 6.0 
OVERALL RATING: 5.1