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Dustin Hoffman, Susan George, Peter Vaughan, T.P. McKenna, David Warner ... see more see more... , Colin Welland , Peter Arne , June Brown , Chloe Franks , Del Henney , Ken Hutchison , Len Jones , Robert Keegan , Michael Mundell , Sally Thomsett , Donald Webster , Jim Norton , Cherina Mann

Sam Peckinpah examines the instinctual capacity for violence in his controversial 1971 film, loosely based on the novel The Siege of Trencher's Farm. To avoid the Vietnam-era social chaos in the U.S.,... read more read more... American mathematician David Sumner (Dustin Hoffman) moves with his British wife, Amy (Susan George), to the isolated Cornish town where she grew up, but their presence provokes antagonism among the village's men. As the hostilities escalate from routine bullying to the gang rape of his wife, David finds his pacifistic self backed into a corner. When the hooligans attack his house, David finally resorts to the gruesome violence that he abhors. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi

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81% liked it

21,177 ratings

Critics

91% liked it

33 critics

R, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Sam Peckinpah

Release Date: December 29, 1971

Keywords: disturbing

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DVD Release Date: March 13, 2001

Stats: 1,499 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,499)

  • fb1664868775
    October 28, 2011
    fb1664868775
    An amazing study on violence with a breakout performance from Dustin Hoffman.
  • cosmo313
    October 27, 2011
    cosmo313
    Based on some novel I've never read or even heard of, this is the story of a cowardly American mathematician named David who, along with his wife Amy, move from the U.S. to the English village where she grew up. All he wants is some peace and quiet while he does research and writ... read morees a book. He doesn't fit in with or get along well with the locals, and his marriage isn't doing so well either. As the animosity and tension grow, things really come to a head when David and Amy find themselves under attack in their home after they harbor the village idiot (and implied pedophile) who is wanted after (accidentally) killing a local girl.

    Co-written and directed by action master Sam Peckinpah, this is a gritty, violent, and unsetling masterpiece. This was released the same year as Dirty Harry, The French Connection, A Clockwork Orange, and Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song among others, and I think it's rather significant given the violentcontent and controversy surrounding all of these films. Thoguh the violence is graphic and unrelenting at times, I agree with Peckinpah himself who said that this film was merely an exploration of violence, rather than a glorification of it, or something like that.

    I've seen some rather disturbing films, some more than this, but this is still nonetheless a visceral gut puncher. Now, really none of the characters are all that likeable, but that's okay, because not everyone is likeable in rea llife either. The performances are quite good though, especially Dustin Hoffman. He's seems like such a really nice and likeable guy, so for him to play a character that spends his time either being a wimp or a jerk that you don't really care for is an amazing display of his talent.

    This film has some strong controversial scenes, but they feel like a payoff to some great buildup instead of being overwhelming. The whole film has a great sense of mood, tone, and atmosphere, and the tension and suspense are maintained at a high level throughout, so when the payoff its, things really get cooking.

    This is a tremendous film. It's worth arguing about. Some of the themes are rehashed from The Wild Bunch, but it's all done so well that it's no big deal. Also, he may have actually been a misogynist, but the film is that way. Not too big a deal for me, because it's just another good topic for discussion, but it is something to note.

    Give this one a watch. It's really something.
  • vierasesine
    October 2, 2011
    vierasesine
    I don't ever want to see this again.
  • mjgildea
    September 27, 2011
    mjgildea
    Straw Dogs has a pretty slow buildup but the last 45 minutes is well worth the ride. A truly underrated classic with some disturbingly beautiful violence.
  • fb733768972
    September 18, 2011
    fb733768972
    As a young couple move into a new home, the husband (Dustin Hoffman) is an inspired writer who just wants peace and quiet. As they move in to this house (which was a place has his wife used to grow up in), the shed roof needs some work, so the hired professionals are the high sch... read moreool bad asses that his wife knew. As they begin to stare down her beauty and make her feel uncomfortable, tragic events begin to happen. There are parts of this film, in which you will cringe by the very idea that someone could think of it. However, this is definitely a classic piece of filmmaking that, even though I love, I may not be able to recommend. There is one scene that may make viewers disperse of the very idea of this film, but it just makes it all the more powerful. The acting is very believable, the suspense is deadly, the cinematography mixed with the specifically precise music choices, and the brutal conclusion, make this a masterpiece. I cannot call this film perfect, because there are a couple scenes that scarred me. Amazing Feature!
  • ajv2688
    December 22, 2010
    ajv2688
    An intense drama with a lot of action and suspense. This is one of my favourite movies with Hoffman. I love it and I highly recommend it.
  • fb619846742
    November 10, 2010
    fb619846742
    An absorbing, mostly methodically paced thriller concerning an American couple (Dustin Hoffman and Susan George) living in rural England, and how their lives are terrorized by local bullies. Relentlessly nihilistic and without question misogynistic, this film still is a success t... read morehanks to its riveting last section. It contains one of the most disturbing and controversial rape scenes ever recorded in film (and it is a truly despicable scene), so be warned. Dustin Hoffman rips off yet another enamoring lead performance that is completely convincing. It is not a masterpiece like many claim, due mostly to a few scenes that don't ring true and the rape scene in particular is very bothersome and too long, but this is definitely an important film to see.
  • ythelastman89
    September 1, 2010
    ythelastman89
    Probably one of the most misunderstood tales of vigilantism ever brought to the screen. By reputation it is known for the rape scene and the glorified violence, neither of which are really analyzed properly. Sam Peckinpah constructed this movie very carefully, creating a specific... read more mood and visual style. This isn't another Death Wish or Taxi Driver, mainly because there's no hero present. Every character has an extremely vile side to them, we just see some more than others. The local Brits are all obviously antagonizing drunks, but in the end Dustin Hoffman's David proves to be just as bad. If anything, this has an incredibly anti-violent message. I think the only real victim and semi-innocent character is Amy. Essentially all of the problems in the story would've been avoided if David would've listened to her, but instead he acts as a coward and then as a lunatic. I really love the varying degrees of good vs. evil in this, it's just so well put together and interesting to see come together.
  • imrealgod
    January 17, 2010
    imrealgod
    The movie lacks stuff that can encourage me to recommend it to anyone. Not that its an absolute trash, or not the least watchable. Its okay to kill time if you've nothing better to do. Except for a few moments of guilty pleasure (no, I'm not talking about the rape scene, you dirt... read morey minds; I'm talking about the fun those pricks have while attacking the house after the church function), there was hardly anything engaging. While Hoffman was exceptional, the rest of the cast was okay.
  • FilmFanatik
    January 10, 2010
    FilmFanatik
    One of those movies that's really difficult to watch but it pays off in the end.

View All Straw Dogs Reviews

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The most offensive thing about the movie is its hypocrisy; it is totally committed to the pornography of violence, but lays on the moral outrage with a shovel. Full Review

Douglas Pratt
August 5, 2003
Douglas Pratt, Hollywood Reporter

Upon first viewing, it seems like a straightforward film, but the more one watches it, the more tension one sees in the relationship between the couple.

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Mr. Peckinpah has made some good films (Ride the High Country) and a couple of great films (The Wild Bunch, The Ballad of Cable Hogue) -- which may be why Straw Dogs is a special disappointment. Full Review

Michael Sragow
December 19, 2001
Michael Sragow, Salon.com

Eyes Wide Shut -- and the cooked-up debates surrounding it -- are only about sex in the head. Peckinpah gives you sex as a kick in the groin, a jolt to the brain and a shot to the heart. Full Review

James Plath
December 29, 2011
James Plath, Movie Metropolis

A taut drama with great performances and a recipe for action and tension that modern-day thrillers could learn from. Full Review

Philip Martin
October 1, 2011
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

But what if the mask of your neighbor tilts for a second and you catch a glimpse of the riot going on behind his face? What if you accidentally see the monster feasting on his prey? Now what if you're... Full Review

Jonathan W. Hickman
September 24, 2011
Jonathan W. Hickman, Paste Magazine

It ends up hackneyed, unnecessary, and clichéd, improved only by the A-list acting talent and slickness of the production values. Full Review

Dan Jardine
January 22, 2010
Dan Jardine, Cinemania

Ugliness that must be taken seriously Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 28, 2009
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Anchored by Dustin Hoffman's seminal performance, Peckinpah's second masterpiece (after The Wild Bunch) is still one of the most provocative, controversial, and ambiguous explorations of actual violen... Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
March 26, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Gory and shocking. Full Review

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    • David: Jesus. I got 'em all!
    • David: This is where I live. This is me. I will not allow violence against this house.
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