The House by the Lake (1977)

hyped garbage

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

As I watched this bootleg VHS film after downloading it from a P2P site I enjoyed every minute of it, and yes by the way that is probably the only way anyone can actually get a copy of this film. I remember seeing it on television when I was younger, well not that young I was probably in my 20's, and also on Canadian satellite television. But it always stuck with me as a none forgettable film of great acting, very lovable and hated characters at the same time.I wish I had an actual DVD copy of this film, but it doesn't exist, why this is I do not know. The film gives us an insight of so much rage in a woman after she gets raped, but also is with a dentist than is a cocky jerk in the beginning.Death Weekend aka House By The Lake is a great film and stands up beside Last House on the Left, and I Spit On Your Grave. I truly don't know why this film has such controversy behind it since all the films I mentioned have been released on DVD. I'm guessing because it's a Canadian rape revenge film that stand above the rest of this sort of genre. What ever the reason I recommend watching this film if you have the means to do so.

i wouldn't call this movie a horror movie in the usual sense.it's certainly a thriller,and it is terrifying.it's a lot like deliverance but it takes place an isolated area,with no none around for miles,except the psychopaths and their victims.this is a very disturbing movie,with lots of very coarse,and crude sexual language and strong sexual references.but the most disturbing thing is that the events could happen as they did in the movie.it's very authentic.the performances are terrific from everyone and the intensity is through the roof in this one.if you're squeamish or don't like strong language or sexual references,you might want to avoid this movie.once it gets going,it doesn't let up.but for me,Death Weekend is an 8/10

This is a lesser-known entry into the backwoods brutality genre of films started by the classic DELIVERANCE. Derivative exploitation, but pretty good nonetheless. Please note that a majority of the reviews listed for this film (also known as THE HOUSE BY THE LAKE) are littered with errors in the who, what and where of the storyline... so let me set the record straight, at least based on my own viewing of the rare Japanese VHS release. Fashion model Diane (BRENDA VACCARO) accompanies her playboy-swinger-dentist friend Harry (CHUCK SHAMATA) to his country house to join several others for a weekend-long party. On the way, he allows her to take the wheel of his souped-up Corvette and she challenges a gang of hillbilly hoodlums into a dangerous road chase, which ends with the four miscreants crashing their hot rod Camaro off the road and into a creek bed. The Vette leaves them in the dust... speeding away. The menacing gang leader Lep (veteran DON STROUD) swears vengeance on the pair, especially the woman driver. Up at the house, Diane is observed by Harry (the voyeur) via a two-way mirror taking off her clothes and nude in the shower. Nice guy this Harry. Not surprisingly, Diane soon discovers that there are no other guests coming up to the lake for the big "party" weekend. She also realizes that sleazy Harry just wants a quickie sex romp and another notch on his belt. Meanwhile, the psychotics in the Camaro are causing havoc all over town, nearly killing a local man of the law, in search of the two in the black Corvette. Of course, the vicious thugs eventually arrive at the lake house, terrorizing Diane and Harry, and really begin messing up the place. Two of the gang members even take Harry's expensive speedboat for a spin out on the lake and kill some drunken hicks in a rowboat, who were actually on their way to help the endangered couple. When Harry the dentist is revealed to be a bit of a wimp, the chaos really begins to ramp up. Diane in desperation, takes matters into her own hands and begins to exact her revenge, but not before she is sexually assaulted by Lep, the crazed ringleader... and dry-humped by one the creepy gang flunkies while locked in one of the rooms of the house. Strangely enough, the ending of this film has a bit of an ambiguous tone. You'll have to watch it for yourself to see what I'm talking about. Recommended backwoods brutal shocker that is destined for Z-Grade glory. ///thechooper

Solidly-done, low-budget thriller from Canada is a great tale of survival.In route to their weekend get away, a woman and her gentleman friend anger a gang of thugs and end up paying for it.Death Weekend is a little known thriller, which is a shame since it's a good entry in the vengeance/exploitation genre. While Death Weekend isn't as violent or disturbing as Last House on the Left (1972) or I Spit on Your Grave (1978), it does possess a powerful tension and makes for a pretty strong watch. Director William Fruet gives this film tight action and dark, suspenseful atmosphere. It does have the occasional burst of shocking violence - especially during the terrifically intense climax. The films two stars are a strong point as well. Brenda Vaccaro is great as a victim trying to survive. She is an excellent actress and shows it well in this film. Also excellent is villain Don Stroud. Stroud has a powerful kind of presence in this film as the ruthless, but not unattractive leader of the gang.Death Weekend is a nicely edgy shocker that deserves a wider audience. For thriller, exploitation fans it's worth finding!*** out of ****