I Spit on Your Grave: 3 Disc Collector’s Edition 4K [Blu-ray] Review

4 star presentation of  a highly contoversial cult classic.

I Spit on Your Grave was originally released in 1978 and was written and directed by Meir Zarchi (Don’t Mess With My Sister!). Immediately branded a “video nasty” upon it’s release, it never enjoyed a theatrical run in the UK, only being available on home video. It is presented here following a 4K restoration with specially commisioned extras and 9 hours of features, courtesy of Kaleidoscope Entertainment. Be warned, this film was controversial for a reason and is not an easy watch, however this is an excellent package for fans. It’s not entirely uncut, but it may be the closest you will get in the UK.

“Do it, Matthew, come on, this is your chance, you’ll never regret it.”

Jenny (Camille Keaton – What Have You Done to Solange?) is a young aspiring writer from New York planning to write her first novel. To help her write, she has rented a summer house in Kent, Connecticut right next to the beautiful Housatonic River. 

Things get off to a good start, Johnny (Eron Tabor) the chap from the gas station seems nice and he’s very helpful. She gets her shopping delivered by Matthew (Richard Pace), who’s a little slow but seems pleasant enough. The house is lovely and she gets down to her writing, but soon she starts to see the local guys around her holiday let.

They have spotted  her sunbathing in her bikini and decided that it’s high time Matthew loses his virginity, so Johnny and his two mates Stanley (Anthony Nichols) and Andy (Gunter Kleeman) decide to gift him Jenny.

Cue prolonged and brutal gang rape scenes, followed by equally gruesome revenge killings.

“Why are we doing this? We got what we wanted.”

I Spit on Your Grave is certainly not an enjoyable film to watch, but there’s no disputing the impact that it had or the debates that it still sparks to this day. Regardless of whether you view it as a shameless exploitation flick, or a feminist statement, this is a film which divides opinion in the strongest possible terms.

With lots of commentary and the feature “Growing up with I Spit on Your Grave” which features interviews with those involved in the production, this release is comprehensive enough to satisfy die hard fans of the “video nasty” era of films.

Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment presents I Spit on Your Grave on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray from 26th September

Extras:

Premium boxset with four art cards

DISC ONE: I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE (4K UHD)
Audio Commentary with Camille Keaton, moderated by Art Ettinger of Ultra Violent Magazine (NEW)
Audio Commentaries with Director Meir Zarchi and Critic Joe Bob Briggs

DISC TWO: I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE (BLU-RAY)
Introduction by Camille Keaton (NEW)
Interview with Film Historian Chris Poggiali (NEW)
The Values of Vengeance: Meir Zarchi Remembers I Spit on Your Grave
Jennifer’s Journey: The Locations of I Spit on Your Grave (NEW TO UK)
Day of the Woman Alternate Opening Title
Theatrical Trailers
TV Spots
Radio Spots
Rare Photos from Set
Stills Gallery

DISC THREE: GROWING UP WITH I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE (BLU-RAY)
Deleted Scenes
Terry Zarchi’s 8mm Film Starring Camille Keaton
Home Movie: Camille & Meir’s Wedding (NEW TO UK)
Trailer