David is a quiet American mathematician, who has moved with his wife back to her hometown in rural England. The couple relocated in an attempt to flee the chaotic violence of the U.S., little did they know that the English countryside is even more chaotic and violent.
When David hires a crew of locals to repair his barn, the men begin to harass the couple - but passive David does nothing to stop them. The harassment continues and intensifies, yet David ignores it. Finally, the men push him too far. The result is a once complacent, mild-mannered man lashing-out in an animalistic struggle to preserve his home and his life.
Peckinpah has made some brilliant and violent movies in his time, but this is surely one of his best. A truly startling piece of movie history.
Investigation finished: 2001-03-09
Story: 8/10 - Straw dogs is the revenge movie that others try to be, highly controversial and brilliant.
Acting: 9/10 - After "The Graduate" this is definitely Hoffman's career highpoint (I don't count celluloid dreck like Rainman, Outbreak or Sphere; Wow Dustin, you've been in a lot of crappy movies).
Violence: 9/10 - Contains some of the most startling violence ever filmed, it's still banned in the U.K. for pornographic rape (or maybe they just don't like fellow countrymen portrayed like jerks).
Nudity: 4/10 - Sam Peckinpah brings male chauvinism to a higher level, but it's still 1971 folks.
Coolness: 7/10 - Didn't you hear me, it was banned in the U.K.
...a litle something from our surveilance?
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