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Lunch » Tags » Movies » Reviews » Savage Streets » User review

Savage Streets - This flick dances to the girl power tune!

  • May 29, 2011
Rating:
+4
A simple little prank turns violent, when a group of street girls lead by Brenda (Linda Blair) decides to teach a lesson to a street gang called the Scars. The girls steal their car and go on a joy ride. The Scars who are lead by Jake (Robert Dryer) take the opportunity for revenge by assaulting Brenda's sister Heather (Linnea Quigley). Brenda is consumed by guilt and the police have no suspects at the moment, but she's determined to see justice is served.-summary

I don't know, but it's just something that attracts me about Girl Power. Whether it's the super hot dream girl for me Linda Blair in the Savage Streets, the sexual chocolate Pam Grier in Foxy Brown, or the ultimate in girl power, Ms. R-E-S-P-E-C-T herself Aretha Franklin. Something wild just goes off inside of me and it's nothing really nice at all. Pretty much only dirty thoughts and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I love tough chicks for dates, in bed, as mistresses, but not as wives though. That's taking things way too far.

Directed by Danny Steinmann, Savage Streets is an exploitation film with a revenge theme, which was released in 1984. The film is typical 80's B. It's done with a low budget that's packed with 80's hot chicks, rock soundtrack, funny dialogue, and full female nudity that reminds me of The Naked Cage. Ladies, this is a film for the guys, proceed with caution if it slightly piques your interest.

The film isn't really something to be taken too lightly though. The content is rather dark and it does have its offensive moments. The young girl named Heather is brutally raped by the gang, and this is the hardest part of the film to watch. The scene isn't as graphic as let's say, I Spit On Your Grave. However, the scene really isn't easy to watch at all, because Heather happens to be a deaf mute, which is especially disturbing and hard to watch. One thing is for sure after watching this scene. The viewer will want nothing more than to see these filthy guys die painfully.

The plot isn't all about revenge nor is it very paper thin but it's cutting it close. The screenplay has its shining moments, which are made up of cool interactions with funny dialogue, and the long shower scene that even has chicks scrapping with each other. I would have loved to have been the camera man for that. The characters are somewhat developed for the most part, although, most of them are lacking depth and are just faces to add to the cast, but at least most are pretty faces concerning the younger females, so no complaints here at all. 

The characterization of the street gang is done well enough, and they mainly seem menacing due to their primary victims being women, scared high school students, and their power in numbers. I would still fight all four of them, however, they're not guys you would want to meet in a dark alley. Jake does have that sick and demented look. I was 7 years old when I first saw this film in theaters, and I never forgot his face. I know what some of you are thinking. "Your parents let you see this when you were only 7?!" Yep, me and my siblings had about as much guidance as a lost kite, but that's life.

The acting is everything you would expect from a B movie, which is barely passable with blind luck playing a factor. Quigley is clearly the best despite having absolutely no dialogue. Her facial and hand expressions told her story, every bit as well as words and screams could have possibly done. Blair is also good mainly because of her awesome lines, that really should be heard for the first time instead of being spoiled. I will mention that the bathtub scene with Blair is worth the price of admission alone for most of us guys. I would have drank the water she bathed in, and I'm not playing either. She was that hot to me.

The film was entertaining from start to finish for me. It has its glaring flaws for sure, but if you're looking for high art, then I recommend avoiding this. You will not find anything the least bit thought provoking here.

Now, on a side note. The release I reviewed is the original theatrical version. The quality of the picture and sound is incredibly poor. The sound is very low and the picture is very grainy.

In 2008, there was a 2 disk special edition released. That version is highly recommended due to its very clear picture, sound quality, and extras. The extras are on both disk with the real treat being the second.

Disk 1 contains trailers and commentary with the director Danny Steinmann, producer John Strong, and cinematographer Stephen Posey along with a few actors: Robert Dryer, Johnny Venocur, and Sal Landi. Honestly, I didn't find a thing interesting about this at all. I don't care for it in the least bit.

Disk 2 which is by far the best and worth mentioning, contains solo interviews with Linda Blair, Linnea Quigley, Robert Dryer, Johnny Venocur, and John Strong. Blair still looks good, and I found her interview to be very good. Strong's was ok at best, but Quigley's was by far the most interesting. 

Quigley talks about the rape scene, and it definitely wasn't an easy scene for her to do. The things that the director wanted to add into the finished version completely crosses the line. I'm a sick individual and even I think he's a crazy bastard. So, she gets my respect for her work and for the skin too of course.

The others were too bland for me, because Venocur came off incredibly annoying and seemed to be doing quite a bit of rambling. Dryer appeared to be winging it the whole time, as if his memory has completely escaped him. Well, I was told age can do that, and I'm sure my turn will be here soon. Still, it's a fun flick for those who love good 80's shlock. The film has a 93 minute run time.

Pros:
-Just all around 80's cheesy fun


Cons:
-Sexual content will offend some

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July 09, 2011
The scene isn't as graphic as let's say, I Spit On Your Grave.

Most aren't! Not one other feature comes to mind in which sex is so devoid of titillation.

Any film featuring both Blair and Quigley in its principle cast is both warning its audience and assuring their entertainment. As revenge flicks come, this is one of my favorites, as congruous on a double bill with Foxes (in the twilight of her ruined film career, Cherie Currie was Steinmann's first choice for Blair's role!) as with Ms. 45.
All that aside, I'd have preferred some of Joan Jett's harder tracks in the soundtrack in lieu of John Farnam's offering.

BTW, why your distaste for the commentary track? Is it merely boring?
July 09, 2011
I used ISOYG as a reference because I know of so many folks who despised it for that reason alone. So i just thought I was drawing a clear picture on what not to expect. As for Blair and Quigley, like them both and I consider this my second favorite Blair flick behind the original Exorcist. As for the commentary, it really bored me with the monotone voice going on. It almost put me to sleep very quickly.
July 10, 2011
Of all the commentary tracks I've heard, the absolute worst was voiced by Stephen Barber for Transflux Films' filler-packed, wildly overpriced DVD edition of Un chien andalou. Film historians are generally the worst of the lot, blathering dully at length of information that's much more interesting in print. Faith, commentary tracks were founded on these worst examples: Ronald Haver's voice over Criterion's '84 King Kong Laserdisc is the first ever, and serves as a safe, efficacious alternative to Ambien.

If you enjoy Blair in filth, do see the TV feature Born Innocent, in which imprisoned Blair is committed to a reform school and famously raped with a broom handle. Only in the '70s could fundamental penological methodology be challenged by a TV movie in the U.S., much less one in which a teen is savaged by utility without any bumper warning! Incredible, that.

Even better is the prison dykesploitation thriller Chained Heat, if you've not already viewed it. Salt-and-pepper gang leaders Sybil Danning and Tamara Dobson go toe-to-toe as Blair cowers as witness to a racist distaff gang war. Lovely! 
 
May 29, 2011
"Linda Blair in the Savage Streets, the sexual chocolate Pam Grier in Foxy Brown, or the ultimate in girl power, Ms. R-E-S-P-E-C-T herself Aretha Franklin" you said it all right there with that.
May 30, 2011
lol. Thanks
May 30, 2011
sexual chocolate? wasn't that Mark Henry from WWE? LOL!!
May 30, 2011
Damn, that's nasty man!
 
May 29, 2011
How is it that I've never heard of this?! It looks awesome!
May 30, 2011
I don't know man. But it's 80's sleaze the way I like it though.
May 30, 2011
Orlok you must 've missed this since you were too yyounngg....LOL! you haven't heard of this?!
May 30, 2011
Willy, I've seen movies that came out before your grandparents were born (probably). LOL! Nope, I still have yet to watch a lot of '80s underground movies.
 
May 29, 2011
You and Dave are hand-in-hand with this one. This was truly the product of its generation. Nice one, man.
May 30, 2011
Really? So I guess me and him actually have agreed on something. There is a God.
 
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More Savage Streets reviews
review by . May 13, 2009
Linda Blairs walks the Savage Streets.
Savage Streets (1984) is one of my favorite trashy flicks. Linda Blair is out for revenge! Dressed in black and armed with a crossbow (that has one heck of a pull) walking the streets, stalking the street scum that have wronged her family and friends. See her marinate in the tub, calculating her every move. This movie's classic Linda Blair. If you love bad movies, this ones for you. It has everything a b-movie fan loves. Bad dialog, hammy acting, pedestrian direction and sleaze (the good kind, …
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