US DVD
This review refers to the US Region 1 DVD, released by MGM Home Entertainment on August 27th 2002.
Price: £12.99 to the UK from DVD Concept
Format: NTSC (America and Canada)
DVD Region: 1
Approximate Run Time: 84 mins (NTSC Speed)
Released by: MGM DVD/MGM Home Entertainment
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Sound: Mono 1.0
Disc: Double-sided
DVD Extras: Audio Commentary by Wes Craven and Sean Cunningham, 2 Featurettes - "Forbidden Footage" (8 mins) and "It's Only a Movie!" (28 mins), theatrical trailer, full screen, introduction to the film by Craven, Outtakes & Dailies, interactive menus, scene access.
Picture

This is the same cut of the movie which appeared on the Dutch and French copies, but it is still complete, presented in an 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. Of course, the crude nature of the film, and it's low budget doesn't exactly provide a glossy and clear image, but the transfer is considerably better than past releases. What is great here though, is the fact that the colours appear vibrant, which other discs haven't managed.

As the transfer goes, it's quite impressive. Considering the limitations of the original production, MGM has done a fine job, though there is poor points. Grain is present throughout and there are blemishes, dirt and some scratches as well, but it's still very watchable. The contrast is pleasing, considering the poor lighting, and the overall detail isn't impressive - though no one was expecting anything more. All things considered, a good transfer of poor source material. An open matte 4:3 transfer is included on the flipside of the disc.

Sound

When this disc finally hit producton stage, I was hoping for more of a Dolby Digital induced soundtrack, but it is unfortunately presented in 1.0 mono only. This is again, due to the original production of the film. Dialogue is understandable, though some of the ADR and on-location sound can be muffled. Nowhere near impressive (the transfer is much better), but still pleasing, and lives up to most people's expectations.

The disc also includes: English, French, Spanish subtitles with English Closed Captions.

Extra Features

Produced by 'Last House' reporter David Szulkin, the disc's extras are sensational, and fans should be extremely happy. The audio commentary by Wes Craven and Sean Cunningham is very insightful, and brilliant to listen to, especially since they haven't viewed the film for so long. They detail the production as well as the cast. This is fascinating, and the best extra.

The 28-minute featurette "It's Only A Move: The Making of The Last House on the Left", proves to be very entertaining, and is full frame. It includes recently-filmed interviews with Wes Craven, Sean Cunningham, Steve Miner, David Hess, Marc Sheffler, Fred Lincoln, Martin Kove and Lucy Grantham. Like the commentary, this is fascinating, particularly to see the cast members after 30 years.

The disc's extras are split over two sides. Both the widescreen and full frame versions of the film include audio commentary and a new introduction by Craven. There is also the theatrical trailer and a 10 minute montage of deleted footage. The production sound is lost for this footage, but it is highly gruesome and, yet again, fascinating for fans, which provides the full disembowlment footage which has never been seen before.

Finally, the disc includes the 8 minute "Forbidden Footage" featurette. It provides more interview footage with Craven, Cunningham, Miner and Grantham on filming the more vicious scenes. Yet again, a godsend to 'Last House' fans.

Overall

The longest version ever released with missing footage provided in the extras, and invaluable input from cast and crew members. Without a doubt, the greatest edition of 'Last House on the Left' to be released. Get it.
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