CERT: 18 / FORMAT: BLU-RAY, DVD / RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 5TH
For the first time, all the movies in the I Spit on Your Grave franchise – including the remake trilogy – have been brought together in one neat box set. Included in this release is the UK debut of the direct sequel – I Spit on Your Grave: Déjà Vu and a fascinating documentary looking at the original classic film, Growing Up With I Spit on Your Grave.
If you’ve never seen the movies, the reputations of them being hard-hitting, harrowing, and disturbing are all valid. While the 2010 remake and the two sequels added a layer of digital gloss to the story, the original 1978 movie still stands out as one of the most shocking and upsetting films of all time. The rape sequence, which makes up a large portion of the first half, is still hard to watch, even with the cuts insisted on by the BBFC. What is clear, though, is that this is an incredibly well made movie.
The sequel, once again written and directed by Meir Zarchi (only his third directorial credit), has a lot going for it. It brings back Camille Keaton as Jennifer Hills, who has now published a book about her ordeal, and adds a daughter, Christy (Jamie Bernadette). The central premise is, once more, revenge. Going back to the town where her assault happened, Jennifer and Christy are confronted by the relatives of the slain rapists, and they want their ‘eye for an eye’. Of course, when you take that stance, the slaughter will never stop. Although the film may appear overlong, there’s enough here to justify the length, adding some plot twists and new antagonists (Maria Olsen as the head of the depraved bunch is superb and terrifying) to keep things interesting.
The feature-length documentary, Growing Up With I Spit on Your Grave, directed by Meir’s son, Terry, is a must-see. As a youngster, Terry made an appearance in the 1978 film and has brought together talking head interviews with many of its stars and crew, as well as his father, to show what it was like being part of such a controversial film. This, along with the numerous commentaries and extra behind the scenes nuggets make this an essential purchase for strong-stomached horror fans. The documentary alone is something even the film’s detractors should see.
