the fresh films reviews

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Day of the Woman (1978)

Director:
Meir Zarchi
AKA
I Spit on Your Grave
COUNTRY
USA
GENRE
Horror
NORWEGIAN TITLE
-
RUNNING TIME
100 minutes
Producer:
Meir Zarchi
Joseph Zbeda
Screenwriter:
Meir Zarchi


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Jennifer Hills Camille Keaton
Johnny Eron Tabor ½
Matthew Lucas Richard Pace
Stanley Anthony Nichols
Andy Gunter Kleeman

 

Review

This cult classic is notorious for being banned in a number of countries worldwide (including Norway) at its rerelease in 1980/81, and for being dubbed "the worst movie ever made" by critic Roger Ebert. Seen in retrospect, however, the film's (s)exploitation quality is less prominent than its reputation would suggest. Although he's a somewhat bumpy director, Meir Zarchi arguably had a thematic motivation with this film, even if it isn't very subtle throughout. The cruelty and horror of rape is effectively and daringly portrayed, and the objective is obviously not to glorify violence against women, as some contemporary critics seem to have fooled themselves into thinking. Still, Zarchi's punchline (if you like) is spelled out and overdone - both physically and thematically. At an artistic level, the film would have gained largely from not being tied to the horror conventions, but then again, Zarchi wouldn't have been able to kick as hard, surprisingly and liberatingly (he seems to think) as he did. Bear in mind that this film, after all, was made in the classic vigilante era of Hollywood. The acting is surprisingly useful, even if the characters are incredibly stupid - especially when the movie's dichotomy hasn't given them the upper hand.

Copyright © 23.10.2007 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang

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