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The online film magazine Combustible Celluloid offers new movie reviews, DVD reviews, film reviews, actor interviews, actress interviews, director interviews, film books and all things cinema related for the thoughtful and passionate. Online for ten years! Over 3000 reviews!

 
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© 1997-2009 Combustible Celluloid



Straw Dogs (1971)

Rating: 4 Stars (out of 4)

The New Math

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Buy Straw Dogs on DVD.

Sam Peckinpah (1925-84) made his reputation with earth-shattering violence on screen and volatile behavior offscreen. One of his best films, Straw Dogs (1971), has been released on an essential new double-disc set with a stunning new transfer.

Dustin Hoffman plays unquestionably his greatest role as a meek mathematician living with his sexy child-wife (Susan George) in rural England. The drunken, animal-like locals continually test his manhood -- even to the point of raping his wife -- but the real challenge comes when he harbors a dim-witted man accused of murder while the locals try to get to him any way they can.

Director Peckinpah effectively explores the levels of so-called "manhood" and takes them to a ludicrous but ultimately exciting conclusion. Criterion has once again outdone themselves with this release, including a scholarly commentary track by Stephen Prince, an isolated effects and music track, a full-length documentary on Peckinpah's career and other goodies.

DVD Details: The beautiful 2-disc Criterion edition has gone out of print, but MGM has re-released it in a new single-disc edition. It's kind of a consolation prize but better than not having it at all.

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Susan George, Peter Vaughan, T.P. McKenna, Del Henney, Ken Hutchinson, Colin Welland
Written by: Sam Peckinpah, David Z. Goodman
Directed by: Sam Peckinpah
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Running Time: 117 minutes
Date: July 3, 2003

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