I Spit On Your Grave – DVD Review

Note: This DVD review is for the 101 Films UK DVD, meaning you need a Region 2 or Region-Free DVD player to watch this disc.

The Film:

Under its original and to me, preferred title of Day of the Woman, Meir Zarchi’s cult classic is a product of just one man, and no it’s not Roger Ebert. I’m fully certain that if Jerry Gross, a prominent grindhouse version of William Castle, did not re-title the film to the more eye-catching, ear-perking, vile I Spit On Your Grave, this film would have not been discussed as thoroughly as it is.

Because the film really isn’t well-made, despite what the pure intentions of Zarchi were, he pulls the rug from under its potentials feet with his meandering pacing and lack-a-dazed editing. There’s plenty of scenes that go on for far too long, either ending on an off-note after a dialogue exchange or showing ever character walk from one point on the set to the next. Plus, outside of Camille Keaton, the acting is very stiff.

Those elements didn’t help its case when the film has a 25-minute rape sequence and a most notorious review from a Chicago-based critic that after this film review, we would all know: Roger Ebert. He doesn’t give the film or Zarchi an ounce of credit for what it attempts to do, because of the said Jerry Gross and all of his marketing ploys. It was aimed at the grindhouses and those types of people were the subject of Ebert’s review. Sadly, when he attended a screening of the film, a few sickos ruined his perception of the film, since they were routing for more violence, even at the expense of poor Jennifer (Keaton).

So a few rotten apples ruined it for the rest of us. While I noted how the film is a product of its title and that it’s at times, poorly constructed in technical terms, it’s also the definitive rape/revenge film we’ve got. Take that for what you will. Zarchi intentions must be noted, even if we disagree with the final product. It was meant for a saddening portrayal of a victim and her resurrection. Rape isn’t funny and it is the most damaging thing a person can do to a woman. It’s feminist ideals pop up from time to time, yet because of Zarchi’s sloppy editing of scenes, it gets lost under the outrageous rape sequence.

I think I Spit On Your Grave is a far more interesting film to discuss than to watch. Thanks to Jerry Gross, we’ve continued to watch it 30 years later. It’s reputation is just; it is a cult classic, it is vile, it is not a good movie, so I’m right, Ebert’s right, yet the only winner is Zarchi since we’re still talking about the film.

The DVD:

101 Films releases this new and seemingly “Ultimate Edition”, but if my research is correct, the poor UK fans are still left out from seeing the full uncut version. While the Margret Thatcher Video Nasty era is dead, censors aren’t. Most, if not all, material here is identical to the Region 1 Image Millennium Edition DVD.

Audio/Video: Grain is rampant, yet that should be a given due to the low budget nature of the production. Colors seem a tad bit better here than in other versions, but the overall picture looks average for DVD, but also soft and murky in dark scenes.

We get three audio mixes that are okay, but hardly remastered. Its original mono track, a 2.0 and a 5.1 DD track.

Commentaries: If you can handle Meir Zarchi’s thick accent, then his solo track is pretty enlightening. He talks about the origin of the film, the production, its controversy, and Roger Ebert, making it a must for fans. The second track is just a blast to listen too. Joe Bob Briggs gives us his typical boobs and blood approach, but with intelligent and fun.

UK Exclusive Video Interview with Meir Zarchi: This all-new 30 minute extra is typcially good, even if he repeats some of his commentary.

Outside of that we get a lot of text based extras with an Image Gallery, Reviews from Around the World, and then your standard issue Trailers and TV Spots. Also, fans get a Poster and an Essay Booklet.

101 Films also has released the film on Blu-ray.

The Film: Rating:

The DVD: Rating: