This is not an easy film to write about, any more than it is an easy film to watch. Whether a film is difficult, troubling, worrying and deeply challenging is quite a separate issue from whether it is well made... or enjoyable. I first saw this way back in the early days of video and seem to recall finding it too shocking to really comprehend. With the passing of time, exposure to much of the vast canon of exploitation cinema and some limited understanding of world and more particularly Italian politics of the time gives me a little more perspective. This is still not a film I would gladly recommend freely, indeed I would have a hard time relating to anyone who came away from this with a grin on their face. And yet for all the misogyny, rape and other sexual violence, this is so well made, so riveting to watch, it cannot be ignored. The film begins at a gallop, with rape and murder before the credits have completed and really never lets up. There are fascinating dynamics at work here if there was the chance to pause and analyse them, as it is the political, social and sexual dimensions crash and tumble about as we grapple with just how terrible this or that person is and whether anyone could/would really do this, or that. So, hard to recommend but equally hard to fault as a pulsating piece of exploitation film making.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PO16uVP6zoThe central character of the film is Alex, a full time mechanic and part-time rapist. While his full time job is established after the opening credits, unfortunately, his part-time job is established BEFORE the opening credits. The film begins with Alex driving on the road alongside a fetching young woman. He forces the woman off of the road, jumps into the passenger seat of her car, and violently rapes and strangles her to death.Some time later, we see Alex at his mechanics, garage getting ready to go out for a night of disco dancing. Accompanying Alex is his friend Ricky, who looks up to Alex in a big brother sort of way, and also appears to be mildly retarded. Before they get a chance to leave, however, a rich young couple experiencing car trouble, pull in to the garage. After fixing their car, the boyfriend, Tom, invites Alex and Ricky to a small party as a gesture of good will. Alex, who has eyes for the Tom's smokin' hot girlfriend Lisa, eagerly agrees. After they arrive at the party, and pleasantries are exchanged, Ricky begins dancing with one of the beautiful young women at party. As the other rich snooty partygoers egg him on, it becomes obvious to Alex that they are mocking RickyFOR MORE, CLICK ON THE LINKhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PO16uVP6zo

Some might call this a sleaze-fest, some might call this a video nasty, some might call this beyond exploitation, and all might be correct. There are few redeeming qualities exhibited by " House on the Edge of the Park". David Hess clearly is in full sociopath mode, winning women through intimidation. Lurid and sadistic, with Hess carrying the film pretty much alone, as the uninvited guest to a swingers party. Rape and razor slashing ensues as Hess and his accomplice get down to business. None of the victims elicit any sympathy, so the audience really is apathetic as to the outcome, which includes a twist ending. Acceptable entertainment for the slasher crowd, others beware. - MERK

I hate Ruggero Deodato, i still think that is one of worst filmmakers of all time. The 90% of his filmography is pure trash (And yes, i'm including his infamous CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST there). Though i think HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK is in th other 10%. The plot here talks about two punks (Hess and Radice) who gets to enter in the party of an unknown, society people. The men begin terrorized the crowd with evil tricks.The film is widely known for 1) it's director (Just because he directs CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, the same year he released this one, despite all the problems he have in the moment) and 2) because it is a Video Nasty. It is too known as a LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT rip-off, but it's got it's differences, Hess is even meaner than in the 1972 classic. But the thing here is that the film, even if is known for all this "grindhouse" mark, is very well directed, very well photographed and well acted (in some quarters). The thing that is happening to them can be real, and, in the first piece of the movie, the tension is well introduced. We believe the thing. And then it don't get down, but one begin to realized serious problems with the script (Beside of a final shot with the face of Hess in slow motion ... Sure, that hurts, but it's just plain silly). But as i say, there a very managed tension, but also, there are evil in this movie. Dude, there are those Grindhouse that all that Violence makes you laugh because of it's sensationalism. Here you feel very uncomfortable. There is a moment, when the Cindy characters arrive, that the things get very very ugly and we really begin to hate Hess with all our hearts. The performances by Hess and De Selle, specially are very good. Radice is always a pleasure to see and you must name that his character here was very difficult.HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK is not a very distinguished movie between Grindhouse fans, and that's because maybe they're hoping more violence and blood. There little blood and, if you go for the "body count" thing, there are only two deaths in this movie. Is a heavy realistic movie, with problems, of course. It shows too, that Deodatto got a very good hand for directing films. It's a pity that he don't show us in the same in the other things he do. Shriek Show got a nice copy of this movie. Music by Riz Ortolani (With that sick song MUCH MORE).