Okay so the truth is there is no spitting nor are there any graves in either the original or remade version of I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE. The title was made by producer Jerry Gross for the original film in order to get film bookers in the south to book the film again, which had already failed in cut form under the title DAY OF THE WOMAN. With the additional removed sequences back in place, a take that MPAA attitude, a sensational and unforgettable ad campaign and tons of free publicity when Ebert & Siskel slammed the film (hard to believe Ebert could do so after watching his BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS which he scripted), the film went on to make history.
And now Hollywood, in its never ending search for something new…okay no not new…in their attempt to remake every movie ever made, we get this latest version of the film. It follows the same basic story. Jennifer Hill (this time played by Sarah Butler) comes to a country retreat for a month only to be sought out by gas station attendant Johnny (Jeff Branson) and his pals.
This time around the gang seems more backwater good ole boys than even the original displayed. Is it any wonder country folk have no use for big city folk when they are constantly portrayed this way? Anyway, the group attacks and rapes Jennifer more than once and in more than one location. ***SPOILER ALERT*** When she contacts the local sheriff to come to her cabin in the woods for help she learns too late that he’s part of this group as well. Having been raped and sodomized by this group, Jennifer crawls home and plots her revenge.
The same plotline passes here as she takes her time trapping each one and taking out her vengeance in the most brutal ways possible. While the rape sequences of Jennifer are as disturbing as they were in the original, the revenge sequences here take up more time than they did in 1978. Not only that but her methods fall more in line with today’s images of torture than those in the original. The original was more about her just exacting her revenge with only one taking any amount of time. Here, she slowly does unmentionable deeds to each of her protagonists, with something especially disgusting in store for the sheriff.
With more money to spend this version of the film has a much crisper look to it. The photography is well done, the acting intense and believable and the story continues to promote the genre of film known as revenge movies. Does it leave you with a bad taste in your mouth like the first one did? Yes, it does.
Its one thing to make an original film and not know what the audience will think of it. Its quite another to take a disturbing film and make it over again, adding little more than well done gore and more over the top kill scenes. When released the film didn’t do much at the box office. Perhaps that means that the audience for what is known as torture porn films is dwindling. We can only hope.
Does the film offer anything new? Not that I could see. Yes, the performances were well done, yes it had a polished look to it. But is it a movie that you’ll want to stick on the shelf next to BAMBI and MARY POPPINS? Not likely.
No comments:
Post a Comment