IMDb RATING
5.4/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
A paranoid writer is unable to get started on his second novel. He hires a secretary and then his troubles really begin.A paranoid writer is unable to get started on his second novel. He hires a secretary and then his troubles really begin.A paranoid writer is unable to get started on his second novel. He hires a secretary and then his troubles really begin.
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- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis was the only British made film to appear on the original DPP 72 list of video nasties and even made the final 39.
- GoofsWhen Paul arrives at the railway station, his arrival coincides with the departure of a train from the nearside track. Three seconds later a camera shot shows a second train travelling in the same direction on the same track. Another 15 seconds later, a third train follows the second on the same track. Trains would not run on the same track with such small stopping distances.
- Alternate versionsThe film was slightly cut when first released back in 1975. The recent reissue had almost 1 minute removed. Australian release was uncut
- ConnectionsFeatured in Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship & Videotape (2010)
Featured review
A Solid Performance From a Younger Udo Kier
Writer Paul Martin (Udo Kier) is holed up in his house (on Straw Hill) and needs an assistant to type his dictation. So he hires Linda Hindstatt (Linda Hayden), who seems pleasant enough. But Linda is a strange character, and her motives might not be as legit as they seem.
I really enjoyed this film, and I want to make that clear up front. It wasn't a fantastic horror story, the plot wasn't very strong and it wasn't even that thrilling. But it's purpose was never any of these things: it was exploitation, and I think the writer/director did a marvelous job in achieving this kind of production.
There's dirty sex (including latex gloves for some unexplained reason), plenty of nudity, females who enjoy their own bodies, a scene that may or may not be rape (the victim doesn't seem to mind). I don't know if this is art, but it made for a film that can hold your attention.
The tone is somewhat darker than your average film, but not too dark. The copy I watched came on a videotape with a preview for "The Stuff". After that, I was thinking this might be a rather cheesy or b-grade film, but that is not at all so (although some of the blood has an unusual orange tint).
The theme shouldn't be new to anyone who's seen plenty of movies. The "writer in solitude" theme is pretty standard -- "The Shining", "Misery", "Secret Window" all instantly come to mind (and those are just King films). There are two additional characters -- harassers and possible rapists -- who really add a new flavor to the piece. Their motives are unclear and they are so one-dimensional that it seems they've come from a comic book. One of them is wearing a shirt that seems to say "I am a vampire" (though I couldn't make it out clearly).
This is a good movie if you crave some exploitation. Don't expect an amazing plot, and don't try to impress your girlfriend with it (unless she's really odd). There seems to be some clamor online calling for a nice DVD transfer of the film, and I support them on that. I would happily own the DVD of "House on Straw Hill" (as my copy is titled). Kier's finest since "Mark of the Devil".
I really enjoyed this film, and I want to make that clear up front. It wasn't a fantastic horror story, the plot wasn't very strong and it wasn't even that thrilling. But it's purpose was never any of these things: it was exploitation, and I think the writer/director did a marvelous job in achieving this kind of production.
There's dirty sex (including latex gloves for some unexplained reason), plenty of nudity, females who enjoy their own bodies, a scene that may or may not be rape (the victim doesn't seem to mind). I don't know if this is art, but it made for a film that can hold your attention.
The tone is somewhat darker than your average film, but not too dark. The copy I watched came on a videotape with a preview for "The Stuff". After that, I was thinking this might be a rather cheesy or b-grade film, but that is not at all so (although some of the blood has an unusual orange tint).
The theme shouldn't be new to anyone who's seen plenty of movies. The "writer in solitude" theme is pretty standard -- "The Shining", "Misery", "Secret Window" all instantly come to mind (and those are just King films). There are two additional characters -- harassers and possible rapists -- who really add a new flavor to the piece. Their motives are unclear and they are so one-dimensional that it seems they've come from a comic book. One of them is wearing a shirt that seems to say "I am a vampire" (though I couldn't make it out clearly).
This is a good movie if you crave some exploitation. Don't expect an amazing plot, and don't try to impress your girlfriend with it (unless she's really odd). There seems to be some clamor online calling for a nice DVD transfer of the film, and I support them on that. I would happily own the DVD of "House on Straw Hill" (as my copy is titled). Kier's finest since "Mark of the Devil".
helpful•53
- gavin6942
- Sep 12, 2007
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- House on Straw Hill
- Filming locations
- The Street, Hatfield Peverel, Essex, England, UK(Exterior of paper shop)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 24 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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