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Flicks: I Spit On your Grave (1978)


I Spit On your Grave (1978)

Camille Keaton stars in one of the most controversial flicks in American film history.

I Spit On Your Grave (1978) is director Meir Zarchi's controversial and genre defining rape-revenge movie of 1978 starring Camille Keaton[0] as Jennifer Hill. The cult status movie remains one of the most controversial flicks in American film history. The film was released in the U.S. and U.K. four years after completion in 1982 after rounds of heavy censoring and a title change from "Day Of The Woman" to I Spit On Your Grave.

Despite the feminist and bare bones mysogynist/misandrist overtones, without a doubt, I Spit On your Grave is an exploitation film with a twist. The themes revolve around violence, rape and revenge. However, the plot takes the traditional slasher formula of Male Killer versus hapless Female Victim and turns it inside out. The pivotal rape scene in I Spit On Your Grave itself is not rendered in any heroic dimension but is disturbing and discusting in order to set up a series of over-the-top bloody vengeances exacted by the sinister Jennifer.

I Spit On your Grave (1978)

Jennifer Hill (Keaton) finds the best way to man's heart is through the sternum.

The original film is generally viewed as a poorly made gore. After awarding the film Zero stars (outta four possible) Roger Ebert called it "a vile bag of garbage"[1]. In 2010, a re-make of I Spit on Your Grave is ready for a limited release on October 8th 2010. This re-make is directed by Stephen Monroe (Wyrvern) and starring Sarah Butler reprising the role of Jennifer Hill.



Notes:
[0] = Reportedly, Camille Keaton was Buster Keaton's grand-niece!
[1] = Ebert's review of the film appeared in the Chicago Sun Times.


References:
Wikipedia, I Spit On Your Grave
IMDB, I Spit On Your Grave (1978)
Official 2010 Remake Site, I Spit On Your Grave (2010)
Shock Til You Drop, I Spit On Your Grave (2010)
Cineploitation, Director Stephen Monroe Interview
Horror Movies.ca, Re-make Review
Sound On Sight, I Spit On Your Grave
Lianne Spiderbaby, I Spit On Your Graves: 1978 and 2010


I Spit On your Grave is available at:
Amazon