Review of The Last Victim

It's hard to judge the ratings here because it isn't known what version they are reviewing. But the ridiculously low score here suggests that most viewers have seen the 75 minute cut, the one that was released to theaters after the commercial success of actress Tanya Roberts. "Forced Entry" is of course, a loose remake of the hardcore feature starring Harry Reems. In that movie, the psychotic sex maniac was a disturbed Vietnam Vet, and that porn movie is so unpleasant and ugly that parts are difficult to watch. If they had spent more time on the horror aspect and less on the ugly hardcore sex, that film would be a classic. Apparently someone else thought so too, which is why this remake was made. Or is it a remake? Originally titled "The Last Victim," this time the maniac, Carl, is the product of an abusive mother who tortured him as a child. This movie, in it's original form, is a lean and mean, and very intense horror film that closely resembles "Maniac" that came out a few years later. With a 75 minute running time, the length typical of hardcore features of the time, the story is told from the killer's point of view. We follow the car mechanic Carl on his hunting adventures. He hunts for beautiful women to murder, and rape..in that order. Those who have the misfortune of crossing Carl's path, meet a horrific end graphically nasty end. Females are choked, beaten, stabbed and violated with beer bottles. But if you have only seen that 75 minute cut, you won't see any of the disturbing scenes described here. This film was reworked and played theaters with a PG rating, which is absolutely unthinkable, at least in the 1970s, when movies had reached their peak with graphic sex and violence . Every frame of this movie was seedy and lurid and i would not consider one second as family entertainment. But a few years later, when the name of Tanya Roberts, who made her film debut here, became a household name, the owners of the movie rights decided to clean it up, releasing an even shorter version, running a mere 72 minutes, that removed what little sex and violence there was in the 75 minute cut. In the end, that reworked version survived, while the original, 93 minute cut, seemed to disappear from the face of the Earth, other than it's survival contained within that rare VHS tape. To make matters worse, the movie was released on Blu Ray, but for some ridiculous reason, it's that truncated, heavily censored 75 minute version! Apparently the director prefers the soft version that omits all the sex and violence. For grindhouse movie fans, this Blu Ray is the most disappointing and worthless product ever..because the original is truly a powerhouse of exploitation insanity. Nancy Allen most likely wishes this one was forgotten, as her role of the raped and abused hitch hiker is short, but very graphic. She must be pleased that her rape/nude scene is GONE from the Blu Ray release. Credit must be given to Tanya Roberts however. She managed to star in this ultra sleazy rape movie, while managing to avoid doing any actual nudity. She comes very close, but manages to retain her honor as the terrorized housewife who turns the tables on her stalker. Fans of classic horror and rape-revenge grindhouse flicks should seek out "The Last Victim." It's a grimy, voyeuristic, misogynistic, and intensely atmospheric, forgotten gem of the exploitation genre. Sadly, that ancient VHS tape is the only way to see it. I'm sure that tape is a collectors item among cult horror movie fans. This exploitation movie lover is happy to have this rare item, along with the equally fine and rare "Bloodrage," another gritty and super-rare title that focuses on a twisted sociopathic killer, from director Joseph Zito. The fact that both of these titles are unavailable in their uncut form is a real mystery..