Product: Day of the Woman (1978)
Rating: 3.0
NOT the "worst movie of all time"
Upon its initial release, "I Spit on Your Grave" was made out to be an utterly worthless, pro-rape film by overly PC critics who feared their reputation would be tarnished if they admitted fanfare for this disturbing and competently made movie.But that's not to say it's not without its problems. Writer-director Meir Zarchi, obviously under the influence of Wes Craven's gritty "Last House on the Left," constructed a very simple plot where a beautiful woman is isolated only to be beaten and raped by a gang of local hoods. After they leave her for dead, she recuperates and takes sadistic revenge against her attackers.The rape scenes are too choreographed to be considered realistic, and this is complemented by camera angles that render the incidents voyeuristic. The heroine has no discernible personality aside from her looks, and is a model of perfection that is violated unfairly. The way the rapists are seduced and buy the fact that this woman could be attracted to them after the fact is just preposterous. And the movie ends on a note of absolute nihilism.But I think Zarchi wanted to make an example of men, and how they allow their privates to do their thinking for them. So the way the rapists' libidoes lead them to their doom is a bit symbolic. The act of revenge that takes place in the third act is mean-spirited, unpleasant, but honest. After all, revenge is a hollow act that isn't intended to bring about a feeling of pleasure."I Spit on Your Grave" is a decent film. I give it an extra star because of the recent Anchor Bay remaster that has an excellent picture and sound.