Movie Review - The Last House On Dead End Street

The Last House On Dead End Street

AKA:  The Fun House 

1977

Production Concepts Ltd. / Today Productions Inc.

Cinematic Releasing Corporation / DCS Video Screams / Fright Video / Vinigar Syndrome

6.5 / 10

This film isn't as bad as it should be.  Let me explain, the concept is that after serving a sentence in prison for drug related crimes Roger Watkins has had an epiphany.  Kill people for fame and money.  To do this he will make snuff movies with the help of his friends.  Then for it to be told from the miscreant's point of view is a horrifying idea.

However, writer, director, and actor, Terry Hawkins does not turn this into an exploitation film or glorify or condone the horror's portrayed within.  What he gives his viewers is a psychological chiller, which is heavy on the chills.  Hawkins actually makes the audience think and reflect on the nature of the participants of the crimes committed.  I came away feeling mentally cold and more than a little sickened, which is a pretty hard thing to do as I have a strong stomach.  This emotion is a good thing though as I believe it was the aim of the filmmaker.  This is thought-provoking entertainment and not a happy and joyful performance; you should not come away from this movie feeling cheerful.  It should make the audience at least start to wonder how dark the thoughts within mankind are.  How far would one go to make money(?)  Or to be the person they are under their "Normal-World" mask?

The original title when the film was released in 1974 was The Fun House and there are rumours of the BBFC getting it wrong by banning the wrong Funhouse by choosing Tobe Hooper's film of that name from 1981 - see my review here.  When it was rereleased in 1977 to larger audiences somebody had the idea to use Wes Craven's success with The Last House On The Left to rename it to the present title.

I liked the way Hawkins builds up to the story.  The movie starts out slow as he paints the picture of Roger Watkins', his dream, the recruitment of his friends, and the choice of his victims.  Then when the killings start he takes his time to pull all the tension and disgust out of his viewers with some very nasty and graphic images.  The special effects team, as well as the lighting crew and cameramen, do a magnificent job of making all of this feel and appear realistic.  I've seen some pretty nasty horrific special effects, though this is one of the few that has stayed with me.

There's also the concept of what's next(?)  In this film, Hawkins asks the question of the porn business.  When people have become used to and complacent with the normal sex acts and even S&M is becoming run-of-the-mill then what's the next big thing(?)  To some extent, this is still evident today on the internet, so this notion and opinion are still viable today, especially when you get psychopaths posting animal cruelty videos online.

Hawkins is also a pretty good director and though it feels like it's been shot on a handheld 8mm there are some good camera angles and iconic shots which also add strength to the movie.  The use of imagery, particularly the use of Greek masks adds a nice eeriness. Apart from the unrelenting depravity, the only thing which makes this film a little grating is the acting which is below average, though to be fair, most of the actors are students.

Would I recommend this to anyone?  Yes:  To anyone looking to create horrific imagary, either for a horror or a thriller film then watch this movie... this is how it should be done, this is the kind of atmosphere you should be looking to create.  The same can be said of directors who are working on a budget.  If you're a film fan and have a strong constitution and enjoy thought-provoking movies then this could be for you, but don't think you'll be a happy bunny at the end of watching it.