Terry Hawkins comes out of prison after serving a sentence on dr*gs charges. He’s embittered from his time inside and far from rehabilitated. He decides to…make a sn*ff movie now that he’s free (seems a very niche career path he’s chosen).

There’s loads of meta references here with this movie about making a movie.

This movie was originally named The Fun House but was renamed to belatedly cash in on Wes Craven’s infamous shocker. They even chose the same font for the film’s title card.

The film was actually made in 1972 but had to wait five years until it saw the light of day. Writer-director and leasing man Roger Watkins works under a pseudonym but later outed himself on an Internet forum in 2000 as the film was shrouded in mystery and continued to freak people out even since it’s release.

It’s easy to see why. The film was made on a budget of $6000 which adds to its low budget and sleazy vibe. Whilst the late 60’s were the nice side of permissiveness and anything goes, envelopes were definitely being pushed in the 70’s with darker artistic endeavours being made. Last House on Dead End Street is testament to this. And, thankfully, for the most part it works.

This is anti-establishment, proto-punk rock and as edgy as they come. This could easily have played in arthouse cinemas as well as Drive-Ins and Grindhouse theatres. The fact that Watkins was inspired to make this after he had read the Ed Sanders book on the Mansons, The Family says it all. Also, the soundtrack is magnificent and sounds like Throbbing Gristle (always a great thing).

Play this film at family gatherings if you want everyone to leave.

4 out of 5 stars