The Last House on the Left (1972)

Two teenage girls heading to a rock concert for one's birthday try to score marijuana in the city, where they are kidnapped and brutalized by a gang of psychotic convicts.

Director:

Wes Craven

Writer:

Wes Craven

Stars:

Sandra Peabody, Lucy Grantham, David Hess

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Sandra Peabody	...	Mari Collingwood (as Sandra Cassell)
Lucy Grantham	...	Phyllis Stone
David Hess	...	Krug Stillo (as David A. Hess)
Fred J. Lincoln	...	Fred 'Weasel' Podowski (as Fred Lincoln)
Jeramie Rain	...	Sadie
Marc Sheffler	...	Junior Stillo
Richard Towers	...	Dr. John Collingwood (as Gaylord St. James)
Cynthia Carr	...	Estelle Collingwood
Ada Washington	...	Ada
Marshall Anker	...	Sheriff
Martin Kove	...	Deputy
Ray Edwards	...	Postman

Storyline

On the eve of her seventeenth birthday, Mari Collingwood tells her parents that she is going to the concert of underground band Bloodlust in New York with her friend Phyllis Stone. She borrows the family's car and heads with her friend to a dangerous neighborhood in the city. Meanwhile, the sadistic and cruel escapees Krug Stillo and Fred 'Weasel' Podowski are hidden in a hideout with their partners Sadie (Jeramie Rain) and Krug's addicted son Junior Stillo (Marc Sheffler) after killing two guards and one shepherd in their runaway. The two girls seek marijuana near the theater and meet Junior that offers some Colombian grass to them. They go to his apartment and are subdued by the criminals that rape Phyllis. On the next morning, they hide the girls in the trunk of their convertible and head to Canada. However, they have a problem with the car's rod and they stop on the road close to Mari's house. When Phyllis tries to escape, the gang stabs her to death and shots Mari after ...

---

Plot Keywords:

sadistic murderer | female victim | escaped criminal | sadistic violence | grindhouse film | 

---

Taglines:

To avoid fainting, keep repeating: "It's only a movie, only a movie, only a movie...".

---

Genres:

Crime | Horror | Thriller

---

Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the 1980s, the American video versions contained additional text after the film had ended, reading: "Coming soon to a theatre near you. From the producers of Last House On The Left, and the director of Friday the 13th Part V, ... The Last House On The Left, Part II. You won't believe your eyes!" No sequel ever materialised.

---

Goofs

During the dinner scene Krug asks "Mind if I smoke?". When he exits the scene, the candle he used was extinguished and in the next scene it was still lit.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Postman: [to dog] Hello, Cassie! Hiya, girl! Hello, there! Now, let's see.
[looks through mail]
Postman: Ah, it looks like Mari's getting cards from half the civilized world. Mari Collingwood. Mari Collingwood. Mari Collingwood. You'd think she's the only kid to reach the age of 17. Of course she is probably the prettiest piece I've ever seen.

---

Crazy Credits

In the 1980s, the American video versions contained additional text after the film had ended, reading: "Coming soon to a theatre near you. From the producers of Last House On The Left, and the director of Friday the 13th Part V, ... The Last House On The Left, Part II. You won't believe your eyes!" (No sequel ever materialized)

---

Alternate Versions

Available on video in either an 83-minute version or an 84-minute version, which has some extra gore in it.

---

Connections

Spoofed in Cecil B. Demented (2000)

---

Soundtracks

Sadie and Krug (Baddies' Theme)
Written and Performed by David Hess

User Reviews

Rather Interesting Low Budget Film.....

I found this film to be rather interesting in a number of ways. Yes, I would agree that it has many unpleasantries throughout the film: two women are raped, stabbed, shot, and brutally killed, one man loses his manhood in a rather disconcerting fashion, and another man is chainsawed to bits. Yet, through all this, the film has many highlights when viewed as a product of its time and with regard to its importance to the horror genre. The film creates a disturbing atmosphere which really affects the viewer. The murders are cold-blooded and yet not glorified in any manner. The acting, although for the most part amateurish, is restrained and believable. A must see for any student of the horror genre.

Details

Official Sites:

MGM Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 August 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Last House on the Left

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$90,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sean S. Cunningham Films, The Night Co., Lobster Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min 64 min (heavily cut) 91 min (original cut) 82 min (R-rated)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1