Craven's Best and Most Underrated Film

Wes Craven is true master of horror. Shot on a shoestring budget and originally titled "Blood Relations", "The Hills Have Eyes" was the follow up to Craven's shocking debut "The Last House On The Left" (1972). Both films are gripping and edgy, they are both disturbing as well as frightening. The acting in this movie, however, was better than his debut.

"The Hills Have Eyes" released in 1977, (back when pure terror dominated over special effects) is a classic horror film that is relentlessly suspenseful.

When a families camper breaks down in the middle of nowhere on their way to California, they find themselves in a grim battle of survival when they are attacked by unruly cannibalistic mountain dwellers hungry for the fresh meat of obstinate vacationers. One by one, the family members fall prey to these inbred outlaws, until only a son and daughter remain to retrieve their kidnapped baby sister and seek revenge against the cannibals. The movie stars Dee Wallace Stone (Cujo) Susan Lanier and of course the man on the cover Michael Berryman. James Whitworth is awesome as Poppa Jupiter.

Because the movie was shot in 16MM it will never look fantastic but Anchor Bay's version is the best I've ever seen. Digitally remastered, this anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer is more than impressive. The soundtrack however isn't quite as impressive. Dubbed over after final cuts were made to change the MPAA rating from X to R, the music sometimes sounds distorted and muffled.

Wes Craven went on to direct some of the best horror movies in cinematic history with the 1984 classic, that brought us Freddy Krueger, "Nightmare On Elm Street" and the 1996 blockbuster "Scream" which spawned 2 sequels. "The Hills Have Eyes" is by far Craven's most underrated film and my personal favorite of his. If you're a fan of Craven's and haven't seen "The Hills Have Eyes" do yourself a favor and check it out today!