A couple from the United States—Dustin Hoffman and Susan George play them—relocates to her hometown close to Land’s End in western Cornwall, England, taking up residence in an empty house. They hire some roofers she knew from school, including a former boyfriend (Del Henney). A sense of competition arises as the workers attempt to undermine Amy's intelligent husband and question his masculinity; things quickly spiral out of control. Adapted from Gordon M. Williams’s novel and directed by Peckinpah, "Straw Dogs" (1971) is classified as a psychological thriller, meaning there’s plenty of drama and a gradual build-up of suspense; the big action doesn't really kick in until near the end. So, viewers seeking straightforward thrills should probably look elsewhere. There are moments that recall “Of Mice and Men,” such as the character with diminished mental capacity (David Warner) who lacks awareness of his own power. At its heart, the film explores a clash between physical strength and intellect—something like Lynyrd Skynyrd versus Bach. David (Hoffman), a mild-mannered, civilized man of short stature (around 5’6”) with an intellectual job, is compelled to abandon all his refinement and return to the primal instincts of his ancestors. The narrative raises some questions: Why does a woman who has experienced a terrible assault remain silent? What draws the local attractive young woman to the mentally challenged but physically imposing man? A bit of thought will likely provide answers to these and other uncertainties. I appreciate films that don't explain everything explicitly, leaving room for interpretation. Certain additional details are noteworthy, like the understated rivalry between gang members Charlie (Henney) and Norman (Ken Hutchison). The movie is intelligent and rejects simplistic portrayals of characters as purely good or evil; it confronts viewers with humanity’s animalistic nature that exists just beneath the surface of civilized behavior. There's a decent 2011 remake which moves the story to contemporary Deep South America. Those who enjoy Rural Gothic or Southern Gothic themes will likely find something to appreciate in either version. It should be noted there is an uncomfortable rape scene reminiscent of “The Wild Angels” and “Last Summer,” as well as the chaotic events at the film’s conclusion, but it's primarily a thoughtful drama that slowly increases tension, clearly influenced by "The Shuttered Room" from four years earlier. Its running time is 1 hour, 58 minutes, and filming took place in southwest England near Penzance, St Buryan, with studio work done at Twickenham Studios in London. GRADE: B

Source on TMDB