I was at Best Buy today and saw the Criterion edition of Straw Dogs. After reading the description on the back I must say I'm intrigued by this film. I was just going to pick it up as a blind purchase but the $39.00 price tag made me reconsider.

So I thought I'd bring it up here and see what you guys think of the movie. I've always been a fan of Dustin Hoffman and I'm actually pretty ashamed of myself that I've never even heard of this movie until today.

So let me know what you think? Is it a good blind buy? Would it hold up on repeat viewings? etc.

Thanks

I don't think I would recommend it as a blind buy. It is however, an excellent film. Let me explain...

Primarily, this is a Sam Peckinpah film and if you are familiar with any of his other major works, you know his major themes deal with the role/duty of men. His politics are not exactly PC and while I have some qualms about them, I think his films are well-made and thought-provoking.

Straw Dogs was quite controversial when it came out and I was left genuinely disturbed when I first saw it a year or two ago. So, I wouldn't recommend it to people randomly. I do, however, have the Criterion version of this and I'm happy with it. I would say check a local rental store - they might have a barebones version for rent. If you're not into renting, I'd advise you to shop around - $39 is way too high.

IMO, this is a fantastic movie. I'm not going to tell the reasons why, because in doing so, it would be difficult not to spoil it for you. I agree with MrN though, it is not for everybody and I too would not recommend it as a blind buy.

I recomend it. Get it at DVD planet for $25.

Get it soon, this title WILL go OOP soon as Criterion only has the rights for a limited time.

Got mine at DVD Planet. They have good prices for Criterions.

I bought Straw Dogs blind, but I've seen other Peckinpah films so I knew what to expect. I'm glad I purchased it, and my friend was glad I purchased it because it is a film he would not buy himself. I recommend you rent it first unless you've seen other Peckinpah films.

Yeah, it looks like I'll try to find a place that has it for rent. If I like it I'll buy it at DVDPlanet. $25 sounds a lot better than best buy's $40. Thanks guys.

I just recently heard about Edward Norton's upcoming remake of this movie, so I just ordered Straw Dogs from dvdplanet. This a pretty good buy?

Well, the Criterion is available for a limited time only, and an out of print Criterion typically means $$ in the future. So even if you don't like it, it's worth keeping for a while.

(I hated the movie the first time I saw it, but I'm going to be giving it another try soon.)

Yes - good blind buy. This was one of the more powerful films of the 70s (and there were lots of them) IMO. One of Peckinpah's finest and a great example of violence in film.

I'd pass. I hate that movie.

Great film! A masterpiece in my opinion! And a soon to be OOP Criterion is always good to have around the house. As for this Ed Norton remake,

I find this movie mind-blowingly DULL, which surprised me coming from Peckinpah. Literally, NOTHING happens for most of the film.

My other objection about the film was...

get the criterion and watch the extras Groucho......it is well explained....

Watched this last week, and quite enjoyed it.
I wrote a little about it at my website:
http://www.captainsoftheworld.com/mo...ves/000842.php

I thought it was anything but dull. It’s not a bitch-slap in the face from frame one; rather Peckinpah uses the time to establish the characters and create the mood, before slowly turning up the intensity as he builds toward the insanity of the final act. It’s a story about people and relationships and the effects of violence. Though often compared to Clockwork Orange, I find it more along the lines of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.

WRT your objection,

I thought it was an interesting film with detailed character development. I think it is a solid purchase.

i've seen many posts on the movie itself, but not so much on the bonus mats..i just saw the movie and thinking about buying as referenced below..so i could use some dets on all else...

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by scott1598
Also, would like some convincing to pick up DVD for $32.99 at Best Buy..i won't be eager to see again, but it is Criterion, but i guess not OOP as i thought someone had mentioned..but given i liked it i might pick it up..just not 100% yet. thanks again.

Literally, completely and totally worth buying for the Peckinpahumentaries alone. If you like him, or generally 70's cinema, they are must watch. A trailblazer and a collection of brillant, funny, sad, tragic and magic stories about the man. Awesome stuff, highest recommendation.

They're great!

they are as good as extras get.

PAL UK Edition:

Release Information:
Studio: FreeMantle Home Entertainment
Theatrical Release Date: December 29, 1971


Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1


Edition Details:

On location documentary (7:43)
2 Audio Commentaries:
1) Garner Simmons, David Weddle & Paul Seydor.
2) Katy Haber
Interviews:
1) Susan George (24:18)
2)Dan Melnick (20:18)
3) Garner Simmons (22:26)
Isolated stereo Jerry Fielding score with additinal cues
US theatrical trailer WS N.A.(1:41)
3 US TV spots (1:00 , 0:30, 0:10)
2 US radio spots (1:00 , 0:30)
On location stills, publicity stills, posters and lobby cards
Text: History about censors, reviews, filmographies, film facts, letters/correspondence.

DVD Release Date: Oct. 7th, 2002
Keep Case

Chapters 15


Criterion

Release Information:
Studio: Home Vision Entertainment / Criterion
Theatrical Release Date: December 29, 1971

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1

Edition Details:

• Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen
• Commentary by film scholar Stephen Prince
• Theatrical trailer, TV spot(s)
• New high-definition digital transfer of the uncut version
• Isolated music and effects track
• "Sam Peckinpah: Man of Iron": documentary of reflections by members of Peckinpah's family, his friends, and his collaborators (82 min.)
• Dustin Hoffman on the set of Straw Dogs (26 min.)
• Behind-the-scenes footage
• Video interviews with actress Susan George and producer Daniel Melnick
• Peckinpah Responds: select correspondence to critics and viewers
• Reprinted 1974 interview with Peckinpah
• Essay by poet Joshua Clove
• Widescreen anamorphic format

DVD Release Date: March 25th, 2003
Keep case
Chapter stops: 24



______________________

They're really great!

And honestly, I don't see what the big deal is...I thought it pretty much sucked. I'd gotten the Criterion DVD at a used DVD shop a while back for twelve bucks and I'd just never popped it in...so last night I did.

The story...not that interesting. The characters...all pretty weak, I couldn't relate to them at all. Maybe the movie's just dated, who knows.

One thing I didn't understand, and I didn't have the time to watch the special features (maybe it's explained there? Or in the commentary?

Also, this is Sam Peckinpah...

I just thought it was boring and it just didn't live up to the hype. Maybe it just doesn't stand the test of time.

I thought it was alright, but I will probably never watch it again, I felt uncomfortable and tense the whole time watching it. This was probably intended but it's not my kind of movie.

Give it a little time and watch it again. Perhaps this time, knowing what to expect, you can see it in a different light.