By Stephen Pytak 

     There's a low budget horror film out on the
market called "Snuff." I'm sure horror fans have
seen the poster for it. It has a cool poster. It shows
some crazed teen hacking away at a friend's tied
wrists with a hatchet. The movie, however, is a dull 
exercize. It was a shame because that was a good
title.
     The film "The Last House on Dead End Street"
should have been graced with that title instead.
     It's considered "the most vile and disgusting
film every made." And I'm not going to argue that.
     It's definitely a distubring experience which will
shock you again and again.
       If you're the kind of horror fan who likes movies
that push things a little too far, then seek out the
thorough two-disc set released by Barrel 
Entertainment. 
      The film was put together from a number
of prints. It's not letterbox. From what Director
Roger Watkins says on the commentary, it's 
probably the only decent print that exists anymore.
    This whole point of the flick, I think, is to 
torture the audience. It's about an insane 
pornographer (played by Watkins) who takes his 
art to a new level. He humiliates then butchers an 
actress and other cast members on camera.
     Through its total running time of 78 minutes,
the film delivers shock after shock, slaughter and
perversion and, of course, gore. Try not to squirm
when a porn actress' feet are hacksawed off.
Jesus, does it look real. The filmmakers don't flinch.
But you will.
     The violence isn't tongue and cheek. There
aren't any moments where the audience can recoil
or take a breath or have a laugh.
     There's a scene where one poor schmuck is
forced to give a deer hoof head. It all becomes too
much. But Watkins pushes horror over the speed 
limit. And nothing makes him take his foot off the
pedal.
    It's an intense film and the best way to watch
it is probably with some friends who have a sense
of humor. If you can't find any, click on the
commentary track by Waters and horror film
critic and author Chas. Balun. It's hilarious and
provides a lot of insight and chuckles.
    Watkins for the most part talks about how
pissed off he is about the editing and how the
first half of the film was not what he intended it
to be. He also says the entire film was improvised,
he did crystal methedrine when he was making it
and he wanted his ending to be memorable.
    Balun calls the film "an 80-minute experience" 
and adds laughs which make the horror bearable.
    The DVD also contains some interesting extras,
including Watkins 1975 appearance on The 
Joe Franklin Show, where he talks about the film 
when it was titled "Cuckoo Clocks of Hell."
    If you're faint of heart, stay the hell away from
this. This film makes genre fare like Dario
Argento's "Opera" look like "The Sound of Music."
     If you're in the mood for something sick, 
disgusting and mean spirited, get ready to yell
"BINGO!" 
     If you consider yourself a serious horror fan, 
you really should suffer through it once just to say
you've seen it. 
     I've been debating the merits of this film over
and over. 
     Is it a good horror film?
     Yes. It works, all right. You'll be shaken to the
core.
     Is it enjoyable?
     Not always. I guess it depends who you watch
it with.
     Do I recommend it?
     Not without warning.