I Spit on Your Grave Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

I Spit on Your Grave Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 12, 2020

“I Spit on Your Grave” has spent the last 40 years growing into a divisive film for genre admirers and critics, sustaining a remarkable hold on film history. It’s an offering of ultraviolence from writer/director Meir Zarchi, who details the undoing and rebirth of a woman brought to the edge of sanity by vicious (and ridiculously cartoonish) Connecticut goons who spend a day sexually assaulting her. It’s rough content with rougher technical achievements, finding Zarchi limited by a tiny budget and his own lack of helming finesse. “I Spit on Your Grave” isn’t pleasant, but that appears to be the idea, at least for a small stretch of the endeavor. The rest delights in the possibilities of drive-in entertainment, stroking revenge cinema highlights to best revive a traumatized audience. Your mileage may vary with this title, but the cult longevity of Zarchi’s Z-movie is impressive.

There are those who believe “I Spit on Your Grave” is a brave study of feminism from a director hoping to analyze the horrors of violence. And there are those who regard the film as complete exploitative trash, celebrating degrading behavior as a way to provide cheap thrills to mouth-breathing viewers. Either way, I think we can all agree on one point about the picture: it looks and sounds like a terrible porno movie.

For a full analysis of “I Spit on Your Grave,” please read Martin Liebman’s 2011 review.

Disc 2

“I Spit on Your Grave: Deja Vu” (148 minutes) is the 2019 sequel to the 1978 original, with writer/director Meir Zarchi returning to take command of the franchise after watching others make their mark with remakes and sequels. The result is an absurd follow-up that’s roughly three years long and shows no increase in directorial competency from Zarchi. But hey, he managed to talk Camille Keaton into returning for a glorified cameo, giving fans their top Jennifer.

For a full analysis of “I Spit on Your Grave: Deja Vu,” please read Martin Liebman’s review.

Disc 3

“Growing Up with I Spit on Your Grave” (102 minutes) is a 2019 documentary from Terry Zarchi, who gathers cast and crew to explore the cult longevity of “I Spit on Your Grave.” Story origins recalled and biographical details are shared for director Meir Zarchi. Production challenges and casting are included as well. Most interesting is the feature’s release, initially unable to find an audience before exploitation interests were emphasized, allowing the movie to become a smash hit on home video. Terry tries to dissect the psychological aspects of the picture, bringing in professors and film critics to defend the endeavor, but the documentary is always at its best detailing the strange journey “I Spit on Your Grave” has enjoyed over the last four decades, still lingering in the minds of those who’ve seen it.

I Spit on Your Grave Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

To celebrate(?) the enduring legacy of "I Spit on Your Grave," a remaster has been ordered, offering a "New 4K Scan from the Original Camera Negative." The picture was originally issued on Blu-ray in 2011, and the overall processed look of that release has been replaced by a film-like viewing experience. Color is more appreciable, with natural skintones on the ample amount of nudity, and greenery looks superb as the action winds through rural locations. Store signage adds some variety, as do hues on period costuming. Reds are especially pronounced, with bloodshed and shag carpeting. Detail remains clear, surveying a large amount of bodily harm and decorative additions. Lake distances are preserved. Grain is nicely resolved. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in good shape, without major areas of damage.

I Spit on Your Grave Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

"I Spit on Your Grave" isn't a technical marvel to begin with, leaving the "dual mono" 2.0 DTS-HD MA to provide a basic listening event. Dialogue exchanges struggle with inherent intelligibility issues, but most lines are understood with decent clarity. Atmospherics are pronounced, offering the sounds of nature. Sound effects are equally alert, with roaring engines a highlight. Music is used sparingly in the feature but registers as intended.

I Spit on Your Grave Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Set comes with a magnet featuring a print of "I Spit on Your Grave" poster art, and mini posters for "I Spit on Your Grave" and "I Spit on Your Grave: Deja Vu."

• Booklet (44 pages) includes essays by Michael Gingold and Meagan Navarro, along with personal photos and film stills.

I Spit on Your Grave

• Commentary #1 features writer/director Meir Zarchi.

• Commentary #2 features film historian Joe Bob Briggs.

• "Jennifer's Journey: The Locations of 'I Spit on Your Grave'" (11:08, HD) meets up with writer Michael Gingold, who guides viewers around New York City and Connecticut, highlighting areas used in the film. Also included is an interview with a resident, who's tried to keep things preserved for the fanbase.

• "Rare Photos from the Set" (9:32) collects BTS snaps, personal pictures, and screening appearance photos for "I Spit on Your Grave," and a few BTS snaps for "Growing Up with I Spit on Your Grave."

• "The Values of Vengeance: Meir Zarchi Remembers 'I Spit on Your Grave'" (29:01, HD) is an undated interview with the writer/director of the film, who tracks the development, shoot, and troubled release of the picture.

• Still Gallery (1:51) collects BTS images and film stills.

• Alternate Opening Title (:16, HD) presents the "Day of the Woman" title.

• Radio Spots (1:15) provide three ads for "Day of the Woman."

• T.V. Spots (1:39, SD) include three commercials for "I Spit on Your Grave" and "Day of the Woman."

• And Theatrical Trailers (6:22, HD) include marketing materials for "I Spit on Your Grave" and "Day of the Woman."

I Spit on Your Grave: Deja Vu

• Commentary features film historian Joe Bob Briggs.

• Making Of (43:51, HD) is a compelling look at the creation of "Deja Vu," following the production as it works over 29 days of filming, highlighting how scenes are assembled and bodily harm is debated. Camaraderie is present, as is professionalism, with Zarchi making numerous decisions with help from his crew.

• Cast Interviews (11:04, HD) collect thoughts from cast members Camille Keaton, Jamie Bernadette, Jeremy Ferdman, Jim Tavare, Maria Olsen, and Jonathan Peacy.

• Behind the Scenes (2:44, HD) capture the production in motion, with director Meir Zarchi working out scenes with his cast and crew.

• A Teaser Trailer (:37), Trailer #1 (2:16), and Trailer #2 (:44) are included.

Growing Up with I Spit on Your Grave

• Deleted Scenes (9:26, HD) offer bits of family business, "I Spit on Your Grave" details, and Meir Zarchi's other directorial endeavors.

• 8mm Short (2:50, HD) is a brief thriller Terry Zarchi made as a child, starring Camille Keaton. It's presented with commentary from the director.

• Home Movies (1:53, HD) are short 8mm clips from Meir and Camille's 1979 wedding reception, and their domestic time together, putting on a kissing show for their son. It's presented with commentary from the director.

• And a Trailer (1:29, HD) is included.

I Spit on Your Grave Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you're a "I Spit in Your Grave" fan, the new box set from Ronin Flix provides almost everything one needs from the series, save for the remakes and sequels created without Meir Zarchi's participation. Providing a wealth of supplementary material, new sound mixes, and a 4K remaster of the original offering, the set certainly covers the production experience, delivering a gift to admirers of the brand name.