The Hills Have Eyes (1977) (Film Review)

The Hills Have Eyes (1977) Another vicious 70s film! No, I’m not a fan of the first opus! The remake isn’t just technically better. Newer technology, more money, etc. It’s one of the rare cases where it surpasses the original (by far). The new one is better in every way, even in terms of atmosphere.

But the 1977 film is also seductive because of the oppressive atmosphere that Wes Craven was able to create in a rather unique way. I like certain horror films, even if I’m not keen on blood splatters. But in this film, there are some things that go too far, it’s perverse, but it’s pretty tame, especially if you compare it to the 2006 film, which goes to the extreme! Basically, if you think this little Craven film is kinky, watch the remake!

The original is far less scary than its reputation. But I can understand why it’s still on the censorship list. Let’s not forget sensitive souls, dammit! This film is considered a classic. And understandably so. It must have been a big shock for people at the time.

But I’ll say it again: it’s not that great. I thought it was pretty bad, especially the clothes and make-up of the inhabitants of this “Hill”. Not really to my taste. I think Craven’s earlier films were in this style.

I read that “it can’t hold a candle to Texas Chainsaw.” Good, because I hate all the Texas Chainsaw films, without exception. For the curious, this film is still worth seeing… especially when the German shepherd takes on the bad guys.But overall I was rather disappointed by the film! OK, so there’s hardly any splatter, and that doesn’t bother me in the slightest.

It’s a boring and unexciting production, which may still shock people today… but we’ve seen so much worse. The villains in their Stone Age costumes are also unintentionally comical and never really threatening. Craven has clearly managed to make better films.

Even if the grumpy ones say that he was a good director before he became a director of crap for teenagers. To each his own! Especially as I’m a fan of the first Scream, anyway. And a mega-fan of Red Eye.

The ending is very abrupt. But it’s still decent. It’s interesting to see all the differences between the two versions. There’s a snake here, for example, which there isn’t in the new one. Anyway! Glad to have seen the old one, the original. At least for my culture.

My Rating