I Spit on Your Grave (1978)

I Spit on Your Grave is one of those titles that people may know, yet it's hardly been viewed by anybody who isn't a strangely devout horror fan or looking to gratify morbid curiosity. In 1978, Meir Zarchi unveiled this infamous rape-revenge thriller, which was originally called Day of the Woman, to unsuspecting film critics and moviegoers, and the results were catastrophic. Thirty-three years later, the story of Jennifer Hills (Camille Keaton), a writer who gets repeatedly gang-raped and beaten by a group of rednecks (who later get their comeuppances), miraculously is still worthy of mention, even being considered a "cult" classic by some. Despite the fact that I Spit on Your Grave is still a tough watch in 2011, those requiring a high string crescendo to coincide with a forced penetration shot onscreen to frighten them may be put off by the lack of score and may also feel compelled to point out the flaccid penises and overabundance of pubic hair. Carol Glover once stated in her book Men, Women and Chainsaws that I Spit on Your Grave was originally rented nine times out of ten to men and that statistic is unlikely to change with this reissuing. I Spit on Your Grave is an ugly, challenging film and unless you are a critic, a horror fan trying to "up" their cred or a woman trying to deter her lover from sex without feigning another headache, it is a movie most people can go without seeing. The DVD features include an interview with director Meir Zarchi that should be watched with the subtitles on, poster art and at least seven theatrical trailers and TV spots for the film.