Straw Dogs (1971)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Graham J

  
  An amazing study on violence with a breakout performance from Dustin Hoffman.

• Chris W

  
  Based on some novel I've never read or even heard of, this is the story of a cowardly American mathematician named David who, along with his wife Amy, move from the U.S. to the English village where she grew up. All he wants is some peace and quiet while he does research and… More
  Based on some novel I've never read or even heard of, this is the story of a cowardly American mathematician named David who, along with his wife Amy, move from the U.S. to the English village where she grew up. All he wants is some peace and quiet while he does research and writes a book. He doesn't fit in with or get along well with the locals, and his marriage isn't doing so well either. As the animosity and tension grow, things really come to a head when David and Amy find themselves under attack in their home after they harbor the village idiot (and implied pedophile) who is wanted after (accidentally) killing a local girl. Co-written and directed by action master Sam Peckinpah, this is a gritty, violent, and unsetling masterpiece. This was released the same year as Dirty Harry, The French Connection, A Clockwork Orange, and Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song among others, and I think it's rather significant given the violentcontent and controversy surrounding all of these films. Thoguh the violence is graphic and unrelenting at times, I agree with Peckinpah himself who said that this film was merely an exploration of violence, rather than a glorification of it, or something like that. I've seen some rather disturbing films, some more than this, but this is still nonetheless a visceral gut puncher. Now, really none of the characters are all that likeable, but that's okay, because not everyone is likeable in rea llife either. The performances are quite good though, especially Dustin Hoffman. He's seems like such a really nice and likeable guy, so for him to play a character that spends his time either being a wimp or a jerk that you don't really care for is an amazing display of his talent. This film has some strong controversial scenes, but they feel like a payoff to some great buildup instead of being overwhelming. The whole film has a great sense of mood, tone, and atmosphere, and the tension and suspense are maintained at a high level throughout, so when the payoff its, things really get cooking. This is a tremendous film. It's worth arguing about. Some of the themes are rehashed from The Wild Bunch, but it's all done so well that it's no big deal. Also, he may have actually been a misogynist, but the film is that way. Not too big a deal for me, because it's just another good topic for discussion, but it is something to note. Give this one a watch. It's really something.

• vieras e

  
  I don't ever want to see this again.

• Michael G

  
  Straw Dogs has a pretty slow buildup but the last 45 minutes is well worth the ride. A truly underrated classic with some disturbingly beautiful violence.

• KJ P

  
  As a young couple move into a new home, the husband (Dustin Hoffman) is an inspired writer who just wants peace and quiet. As they move in to this house (which was a place has his wife used to grow up in), the shed roof needs some work, so the hired professionals are the high school… More
  As a young couple move into a new home, the husband (Dustin Hoffman) is an inspired writer who just wants peace and quiet. As they move in to this house (which was a place has his wife used to grow up in), the shed roof needs some work, so the hired professionals are the high school bad asses that his wife knew. As they begin to stare down her beauty and make her feel uncomfortable, tragic events begin to happen. There are parts of this film, in which you will cringe by the very idea that someone could think of it. However, this is definitely a classic piece of filmmaking that, even though I love, I may not be able to recommend. There is one scene that may make viewers disperse of the very idea of this film, but it just makes it all the more powerful. The acting is very believable, the suspense is deadly, the cinematography mixed with the specifically precise music choices, and the brutal conclusion, make this a masterpiece. I cannot call this film perfect, because there are a couple scenes that scarred me. Amazing Feature!

• AJ V

  
  An intense drama with a lot of action and suspense. This is one of my favourite movies with Hoffman. I love it and I highly recommend it.

• Dan S

  
  An absorbing, mostly methodically paced thriller concerning an American couple (Dustin Hoffman and Susan George) living in rural England, and how their lives are terrorized by local bullies. Relentlessly nihilistic and without question misogynistic, this film still is a success thanks… More
  An absorbing, mostly methodically paced thriller concerning an American couple (Dustin Hoffman and Susan George) living in rural England, and how their lives are terrorized by local bullies. Relentlessly nihilistic and without question misogynistic, this film still is a success thanks to its riveting last section. It contains one of the most disturbing and controversial rape scenes ever recorded in film (and it is a truly despicable scene), so be warned. Dustin Hoffman rips off yet another enamoring lead performance that is completely convincing. It is not a masterpiece like many claim, due mostly to a few scenes that don't ring true and the rape scene in particular is very bothersome and too long, but this is definitely an important film to see.

• Conner R

  
  Probably one of the most misunderstood tales of vigilantism ever brought to the screen. By reputation it is known for the rape scene and the glorified violence, neither of which are really analyzed properly. Sam Peckinpah constructed this movie very carefully, creating a specific mood… More
  Probably one of the most misunderstood tales of vigilantism ever brought to the screen. By reputation it is known for the rape scene and the glorified violence, neither of which are really analyzed properly. Sam Peckinpah constructed this movie very carefully, creating a specific mood and visual style. This isn't another Death Wish or Taxi Driver, mainly because there's no hero present. Every character has an extremely vile side to them, we just see some more than others. The local Brits are all obviously antagonizing drunks, but in the end Dustin Hoffman's David proves to be just as bad. If anything, this has an incredibly anti-violent message. I think the only real victim and semi-innocent character is Amy. Essentially all of the problems in the story would've been avoided if David would've listened to her, but instead he acts as a coward and then as a lunatic. I really love the varying degrees of good vs. evil in this, it's just so well put together and interesting to see come together.

• familiar s

  
  The movie lacks stuff that can encourage me to recommend it to anyone. Not that its an absolute trash, or not the least watchable. Its okay to kill time if you've nothing better to do. Except for a few moments of guilty pleasure (no, I'm not talking about the rape scene, you… More
  The movie lacks stuff that can encourage me to recommend it to anyone. Not that its an absolute trash, or not the least watchable. Its okay to kill time if you've nothing better to do. Except for a few moments of guilty pleasure (no, I'm not talking about the rape scene, you dirty minds; I'm talking about the fun those pricks have while attacking the house after the church function), there was hardly anything engaging. While Hoffman was exceptional, the rest of the cast was okay.

• Tim S

  
  One of those movies that's really difficult to watch but it pays off in the end.

• Wahida K

  
  Every man has a breaking point.

• Anthony L

  
  I'm not sure about this film, I have mixed feelings about its message. While it?s undoubtedly Peckinpah?s boldest and bravest film, it also doesn?t sit well somehow.

• Curtis L

  
  This was awesome. It's like Home Alone for grown ups.

• Randy T

  
  Disturbing and unsettling.

• Lady D

  
  The biggest appeal for this film, is of course that it had been banned by critics. Straw dogs is a slow moving film, with an explosive ending, I wouldn?t be surprised if the film ?The Backwoods? had been influenced by this. The violence isn?t by any means shockable, more… More
  The biggest appeal for this film, is of course that it had been banned by critics. Straw dogs is a slow moving film, with an explosive ending, I wouldn?t be surprised if the film ?The Backwoods? had been influenced by this. The violence isn?t by any means shockable, more menacing in the way that the violence was delivered (for the era anyhow).

• Kalel J

  
  Peckinpah's unsettling retelling of retaliation and rites of passage is a collected, masterful stroke of cinema that steadies itself, never losing sight of what it wants to tell us, as it gradually heightens its tension and provocation of the audience. Its central… More
  Peckinpah's unsettling retelling of retaliation and rites of passage is a collected, masterful stroke of cinema that steadies itself, never losing sight of what it wants to tell us, as it gradually heightens its tension and provocation of the audience. Its central character's isolation becomes much more than a distanced foreigner, but a man emasculated - forced to prove his worth to those around him, where smarts become blurred with wits and courage fades away for brawn. The film is sprayed with Peckinpah's detailed eye for tempered realism, and Hoffman's implosive David - a force of man desperately straying from traditional showcases of male dominance.

• Pierluigi P

  
  Bloody Sam webs an unnerving and near perfect psychological thriller. A film that deals with the rites of manhood, the qualities and attributes conventionally thought to be appropriate to a man, especially physical strength or guts, which David Sumner (impressive Dustin Hoffman)… More
  Bloody Sam webs an unnerving and near perfect psychological thriller. A film that deals with the rites of manhood, the qualities and attributes conventionally thought to be appropriate to a man, especially physical strength or guts, which David Sumner (impressive Dustin Hoffman) doesn't have of course, until the end, when he'll have to face his offenders and start a blooshed in order to preserve his life, wife and possessions.

• Aaron N

  
  David Sumner: Ok, you've had your fun. I'll give you one more chance, and if you don't clear out now, there'll be real trouble. I mean it. Despite having an awesome poster, this is a slow moving film that only builds up to a pacifist being pushed too far and… More
  David Sumner: Ok, you've had your fun. I'll give you one more chance, and if you don't clear out now, there'll be real trouble. I mean it. Despite having an awesome poster, this is a slow moving film that only builds up to a pacifist being pushed too far and using violence to rid himself of his threats. Still, Dustin Hoffman is very good and Peckinpah's direction is solid. Hoffman and Susan George star as a young married couple who have moved to the English countryside, in order for Hoffman's mathematician character to have peace while he writes his book. While they try to live in their home, some local boys who are not above getting drunk and fooling around all the time, are working on the garage and other little house chores for the couple. When they aren't working, they spend their time making fun of Hoffman's nerdy character and ogling his wife. There is also a subplot involving what is essentially a village idiot and the local honey flirting with him. The slow build of the film arrives at a point where the bullies go to far, do some bad things to the wife, and eventually try to break into the house, only to have Hoffman grow some balls and fight fire with fire. The final twenty minutes of this movie are very violent, and there are some other nasty scenes as well. The move up to these points however is just not very entertaining. Sure the performances are pretty good, but seeing a husband and wife get into arguments is not much of a movie. However, once the film gets into its more important scenes, Sam Peckinpah's style is evident through the use of its well handled editing style, slow motion, and blood. As far as the films message, which I would guess is trying to speak out about what the importance of violence can mean to people, I wasn't really feeling it. David Sumner: Jesus. I got 'em all! [he didn't]

• Christopher M

  
  Straw Dogs has been very high up on my "movies to see" list ever since I've had one, and I'm sure glad I finally got around to it tonight - as it's very likely the best thriller I've ever seen. Dustin Hoffman plays David Summer, a young, sheepish American… More
  Straw Dogs has been very high up on my "movies to see" list ever since I've had one, and I'm sure glad I finally got around to it tonight - as it's very likely the best thriller I've ever seen. Dustin Hoffman plays David Summer, a young, sheepish American mathematician who moves to rural England to live with his British wife, Amy (Susan George), and faces escalating harassment from a particular group of boorish locals. In addition to another amazing early performance from Hoffman (this film was made a few years after The Graduate), and the tight script, Straw Dogs displays some truly excellent filmmaking from Sam Peckinpah, an American legend I'm only just becoming familiar with. Indeed, this is a perfect film. The tension in the film is palpable and rises naturally towards the violent, epic climax that should have any viewer with a pulse on the edge of their seat the entire time. This film should be required viewing for any aspiring film director if just for its brilliant pacing. It's a lesson in affective editing, also. This film automatically earns "classic" status from me, I was absolutely taken aback and pleased by this film. It can be disturbing at times (the famous rape scene, for example), but should be seen by everyone mature enough to handle it.

• Ken S

  
  Pure unflinching Machismo

Read all 20 featured audience ratings