Reviewed by Melissa Antoinette Garza
I hadn’t seen the original THE HILLS HAVE EYES since I was a child. Even then, it was most likely an edited version on regular TV. Back in the 80s, Saturday afternoons were filled with scary shows like TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE and THE MONSTERS and horror films hosted by different odd characters. I have no idea where my father was during the time that my mom, brother, sister and I would sit in the living room and watch those programs, but those times were some of the best memories I have.
For those who have only seen the 2006 remake, the premise is nearly identical. The film focuses on two distinctly different families. The Carter family on their way to California to search a mine that Ethel Carter (Virginia Vincent) and Big Bob Carter (Russ Grieve) received as a present for their silver anniversary. They bring all three of their children for the trip. Their teenage bickering kids Bobby (Robert Houston) and Brenda (Susan Lanier) were less than enthused to be there.
The eldest daughter Lynne (Dee Wallace) brought her family for the trip as well. In tow was her passive husband Doug (Martin Speer) and their newborn.
Their car breaks down in the middle of the desert, in an area closed off to the public due to air testing. It is there that the Carters come face-to-face with a cannibalistic backwoods clan. The cannibals set out to terrorize, murder and rape members of the family. They also aim to kidnap the baby for dinner.
Nearly everyone in the Carter family is sympathetic. The only one who lacks humanity is Big Bob. He’s a racist, sexist jerk who thinks the title of patriarch gives him unlimited power. He’s sort of like Archie Bunker without the likability.
Still, Big Bob is definitely not the worst character in the film. The clan is a genuinely disconcerting and downright scary bunch. One can’t help but root for the Carter family to find a way to defeat them and get away.
Overall, the movie is successful in captivating the audience enough to keep watching. It’s a disturbing classic that stands the test of time and is well-acted. The characters have depth and are realistic in the attempts of rescue and escape.
Though I am probably among the few, I do prefer the 2006 remake. It’s very similar in tone and just as the original is no-holds-barred, but there are a few significant differences. In the 2006 version, political avenues are explored in an intellectual manner. The greatest among the questions explored what it takes to break a person who aims to be a pacifist down to their animalistic instinct of survival at any cost.
I’d suggest watching both back-to-back. Definitely, skip the sequels of each as both are dreadful.
Scared Stiff Rating: 7/10
