All poster images and images from the remake: google imagesI SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE 1978 VS. I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE 2010
1978 version: Zarchi's film is a sick, twisted, fetishistic motion picture--the torrid template by which all other similar films followed. Fascinated with sex, nudity and brutality, this grubby little cinematic stain is a classick mainly by reputation as opposed to possessing any artistic merit. Still, it's a movie that should be seen for its notorious place in the annals of exploitation cinema.
2010 version: Monroe's movie wants so badly to top the original, his film goes to great lengths to both pay respect, and to surpass the original films repugnance. While it's a terribly faithful movie and seemingly pointless on occasion, it nonetheless is the new Rape-Revenge film to beat containing an array of indelible methods of dispatch; it successfully capturing the 70s feel and spirit, if not the raw look of that bygone era.
In 1978, Meir Zarchi was responsible for one of, if not THE most heinous cinematic atrocities ever to see the light of the silver screen. Rape-Revenge movies had been around for a brief time, but Zarchi's production, then titled DAY OF THE WOMAN was soon to become the epitome of this contentious and emotionally stirring sub-genre. Failing to ignite much notoriety, it was re-christened I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE. Under that title, this grubby little movie caused a massive uproar among both critics and theater patrons. Since then, the film has become something of an equally controversial conversation piece amongst movie enthusiasts. Some see it as pure exploitation with absolutely no redeeming qualities. Others see it as a powerfully visceral example of the revenge film and empowerment of women on screen.
In 2010, a remake of the original 1978 shocker directed by Steven R. Monroe (and Executive Produced by Meir Zarchi) was heavily hyped and released on a very limited number of engagements in an unrated version. Possibly due to the times we're in and the fact that so much in a similar vein has come since, the remake failed to replicate the success of the original. However, Steven R. Monroe's version is incredibly faithful to the source material much in the way that Alexandra Aja's remake of THE HILLS HAVE EYES (1977) was an equally impassioned copy with some creative deviations. But faithfulness is one of the few "attributes" one can bestow upon a remake of one of the most vile movies ever made. When talking about this particular bastard icon of the 1970s, there's really only two main focal points to equal, or improve on--the RAPE and the REVENGE.
The first aspect of the original I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE that generated the most attention over the years from the time of its release up to now is the rape scene. Some 45 minutes is devoted to this sequence and if nothing else, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE inarguably contains the most volatile, disgusting and reprehensible representation of on screen bodily defilement ever captured on film. It's not just the rape, but all the degradation that goes along with it. Camille Keaton's performance is quite good during this most agonizing sequence. She's attacked while relaxing in her boat and raped the first time out in a field.
Completely naked, she walks a ways only to discover the four thugs are taunting and stalking her. They catch her in the woods and rape her again, this time from behind over a large rock. Left in the woods, she manages to crawl back to her cabin where the four rapists are waiting for her. They beat her, humiliate her more and rape her again. The mentally handicapped member of this motley clutch of sadists is sent in to finish off Jennifer, but fails to do so leading to the revenge after her recuperation.
The remake attempts to one up the raw power of the '78 feature in the rape scene and it isn't entirely successful. The humiliation goes much farther, but the actual rape scene (there's five assailants this time), mercifully, doesn't reach the originals aspirations. It's still a powerful sequence and has some minor nuances that veer off into BREAKDOWN (1996) territory. Watching just this one segment of the film, one wonders why even bother doing this movie all over again? I don't think it's possible to totally capture the feeling of that movie whatever point, or purpose it may have had/pretended to have. The new film kind of fumbles this infamous sequence, too. As opposed to the original, she's raped the first time in the cabin. When finished, the men leave. Jennifer almost immediately gets up and darts out the door and into the woods. It's as if the filmmakers couldn't have come up with a more reasonable means of getting her from the cabin to the forest. Anyway, she's attacked once more and raped again. We're spared seeing each man take his turn, but here, the whole incident is videotaped. As opposed to the original, Jennifer is in clear view of all her attackers afterward. They plan to kill her, but she falls off a bridge and into the river below seemingly dead. Her revenge comes a short time later after the five thugs get additional exposition.
The revenge of Jennifer Hills on her would be murderers is vastly different between the two films. It's here that Monroe's film exceeds the original both in creativity and sadism. The original may possess the most deplorable act of rape, but the newer film goes to great lengths to mete out a disturbing brand of justice. In the original, Jennifer recuperates and in the interim, goes to a church and begs forgiveness for what she's about to do. The retarded rapist is lured with sex and during his orgasm, the avenging angel slips a noose around his neck and manages to hoist the man-child up into the air kicking till he's dead. The second death is also one of the most oft imitated scenes of retribution in all of vengeance cinema. Oddly, it's the leader of the gang who goes next. He, too, is lured with sex. This death scene is likely the best shot sequence in the entire movie. The last two get their comeuppance virtually at the same time. This is where the iconic shot of Camille Keaton hoisting an ax over her head while speeding towards her quarry in a motor boat comes from. One of the men gets the ax in his back and the other, unable to swim, is served poetic justice for his earlier line of "Suck it, bitch" as he grasps the outboard motor while begging for his life.
The new films methods of justice through revenge reach an almost cartoonish level of SAW styled ingenuity. The 2010 version eschews Jennifer's plea for penance from God (that scene was shot, but deleted from the final cut and even then, it's not in a church) for her oncoming actions. To describe what her vengeance entails would require far too much space and it's best left as a surprise to those who wish to see the newer picture. Needless to say, Jennifer's revenge befits the crime and degradation she received. Her onslaught, while incredibly savage, is so over the top, its power is negated slightly and may even bring about a chuckle, or two from viewers. As per most recent movies, more is MORE. There's five rapists as opposed to four. Again, the mental midget is chosen first, but isn't killed straight away. He serves a later purpose. The classic kill from the original is repeated here, but is pulled off much differently and has some added "attractions" for extra incentive. The one major difference is that at no one time does Jennifer lure her prey with the promise of sex in the manner that Keaton did in the first film.
The acting is better in the new version, but pales next to the raw, guerrilla amateurishness of the 78 feature, which is key to that films power. The look of I SPIT '78 is that typical 70s look with cinematography that embraces the locations making them seem more natural, more real. This intensifies the grittiness that transpires. I SPIT '10 is like any other movie these days--photography is good, but has that same monotonous, monochrome milieu that LOOKS like a movie. Regardless of how much blood, gore and brutality is splashed at the camera, it never truly escapes being "Only a movie...only a movie...only a movie".
The new version also seems to draw inspiration from a variety of sources. Those familiar with films like the runaway drive in smash MACON COUNTY LINE (1974), the equally geekshow qualities of MOTHER'S DAY from 1980 (also remade last year) and also the Kurt Russell thriller BREAKDOWN (1996) may draw noticeable comparisons to those films and others like them. The one worrisome factor regarding both this I SPIT and its 1978 source are the types of individuals who would actively enjoy seeing such things. The original films prolonged and excruciating sequence of feminine conquest dominates the proceedings fully intent and succeeding in making the viewer wholeheartedly uncomfortable. If Zarchi's purpose was to showcase rape as a dirty, vicious act, he succeeded, but like Deodato's CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, the line between protesting such malevolence and exploiting it is seriously blurred.
ADDITIONAL NOTES & COMPARISON: Sarah Butler's appearance appears to be modeled after the look of Camille Keaton in the earlier film. The iconic boat image isn't recreated in the new version. The castration scene in the 1978 film is more accomplished than the new version. It's arguably the best shot sequence attaining, in a my view, a bit of morbid poignancy. The new version aims for pure gross out effect to garner the most visceral audience response possible. The original film has no musical score which adds to the realism and what bonafide true strength the picture may possess. The new film has a subdued, but gloomy soundtrack. Curiously enough, the new production has managed to garner surprisingly good reviews whereas the first film received condemnation across the board, no doubt a huge key in its monetary success. The word "please" is spoken A LOT in Monroe's version, the word of choice following graphic torture, humiliation, rape and mutilation.
CONCLUSION: The new films "centerpiece" is just as harrowing, but never surpasses the pornographic cornucopia of Zarchi's "vision". However, it's completely successful in its mission to "cut, chop, break and burn five men beyond recognition." Interestingly enough, the original films poster tagline erroneously lists "five men" where there was only four. The new version corrects that, but neither film features an actual burning. By comparison, both films surpass the other in different ways. The remake is a faithful copy that recreates certain lines of dialog and even some of the photographic shots. The remake offers some interesting twists and the absolute most gruesomely ingenious methods of dispatch to appear in a horror film in a long time. I honestly doubt those who found the first film despicable, offensive and tasteless will see this edition any differently. Whatever you've heard about I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE 2010, it's most likely true. It's definitely the most in your face piece of American horror pie to be baked in years. It's the new millennium's champion of outhouse horror, flies and all.Original I SPIT images from the Elite Millennium Edition DVD
I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE 2010: Anchor Bay Blu Ray reviewed
I had seen the original years ago ,and looking forward to seeing the remake.
ReplyDeleteI took a chance and bought the Blu Ray last night. It's a successful remake in that it emulates the original and also adds some original bits and pieces here and there of its own. And like the original, it's definitely not going to appeal to everybody. I think you'll like it, Max.
ReplyDeleteI was anxious waiting for you to review this one V, I had no idea what to expect since you are typically more familiar with this particular niche of filmmaking than I am, but I believe we are in accordance on all points. I thought that this was a very ballsy approach to the original, and really the only thing that I didnt agree on was Jennifer's one-liners at the end of the film. I still prefer the original 100x over, and prefer the original kills as well since I felt they were much more original (or at least believable), but this was a very strong attempt and had a far less "Hollywood" approach to the material over the LHotL remake. Good stuff dude, thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteHi, Carl. The one liners I didn't mind so much since they were grim reflections of dialog the attackers used on her earlier in the film ie the last attacker stating to her that he was "an ass man". The flip of the coin was her retort during the final moments where his method of torture/death mirrored his earlier exchange and her own response, "What's the matter, I thought you were an ass man?" something along those lines.
ReplyDeleteThe original I SPIT is a difficult movie to say I liked. I find it hard to "like" movies such as this since they are less interested in entertainment than evoking a response. I like to refer to them as endurance tests and this remake came really close to crossing that line and did in some ways.
But, yes, this remake also difficult to say I liked it as well since it, too, seems to solely exist to evoke an emotional response from the viewer. Considering the times we are living in now mirrors much of what was happening in the 70s, such angry, or, more preferably, irresponsible pieces of cinema seems fitting in a peculiarly morbid way.
Still, this movie was totally unnecessary, but damn if the makers weren't cogent enough to corral those types of exploitation movies to near perfection. If only the look didn't have that polish all over it.
The kills in the remake were pretty damn elaborate, especially the one with the crows.
I purchased the Blu Ray so I was unable to do screen caps for it. I didn't have time to fool around with hooking up the computer to the PS3 to try it.
The polished look did detract from the overall effectiveness, but only slightly since it was easily noticeable. The one element that you didn't touch on in the review was the bit of murder mystery that was injected as well, where Jennifer toys with them and turns them against one another. Interested in your thoughts on that addition?
ReplyDeleteI didn't think much about that part since it wasn't much of a mystery as we already know she isn't dead.
ReplyDeleteI did mention similarities to BREAKDOWN (1996) with Kurt Russell, so that was a hint without actually coming out and saying anything. And if you've seen MACON COUNTY LINE (1974), the reference to that will likely give an added plot point away, too.
Apparently Best Buy goofed again. It looks like this isn't supposed to be out till the 8th!
Excellent article as ever Brian! I mentioned this on Carl's blog, but this seems to me one remake which should be certain to improve on the original. I can't see how any filmmaker with a modicum of talent could contrive to make a worse film out of Zarchi's repugnant premise. Of all the remakes that have come along in recent years, this seems to me the one with the greatest promise. I could never understand really why films that fans consider to be classics of the genre were being remade and tampered with (apart from the obvious marquee value) - the less obvious ones have emerged as the most impressive (MY BLOODY VALENTINE springs to mind). If there is any creative motive to remaking a film, then it must be in order to either improve on the original, or adapt the material to reflect a contemporary anxiety. I've always though THE PROWLER would be a good film to remake at the moment. With this in mind I can't see how anyone could not improve on Zarchi's dumb original film.
ReplyDeleteHi, Shaun. I had difficulty praising this movie, or really maintaining a decisive opinion on it. During the rape sequence, I wondered why they even bothered doing this picture as I had issues with the incredibly lengthy one in the '78 version. It just seemed a far worse form of exploitation than the original since such crass exploitation had been done the first time around.
ReplyDeleteStill, it does have some nice differences and alterations and outside of its polish, it does capture that 70s vibe I am terribly partial to.
Personally, aside from the obvious amateurishness and budgetary limitations of a lot of those older movies, they do manage to (whether intentionally, or unintentionally) possess a raw, savage aura about them that totally flies in the face of similarly no budgeted movies that crop up on video in this day and age.
I mentioned this in the article, but those movies, for me anyways, tend to seem more real, more in the moment. Even with bad acting, what have you, the colors, the look of the characters, they all look like REAL people. Nowadays, it's all perfectly toned men and women and monochrome colors and rarely do the performers look dirty or grimy even when they are. I guess what I am trying to say is so little looks natural these days.
But I do feel there are a couple scenes/brief moments in the original I SPIT that are quite good. Those being the scene in the woods where Keaton happens upon her attackers and one is playing the harmonica and the leader comes out from behind a tree smiling. This was a very tense moment as it cut back and forth between Keaton and the men. This is also recreated in the remake, but done differently.
One of the others is also the leaders death scene in the tub. Mostly after Keaton had exited the bathroom. She casually turns on a record player and sits in her rocker going back and forth staring off blankly into space while her rapist beats away on the door bleeding to death.
Also, I love the shot of Keaton in the boat with the axe over her head and also the last scene where she delivers the mocking line to the final rapist.
Like MARTYRS, these types of movies are more about being endurance tests than about entertainment. I generally watch these kinds of things alone only once and if I ever see them again, it's generally with someone else as I'm curious about the reaction of another viewer. That often makes for an interesting experience in itself.