This was simply a great 70s exploitation film. There were similarities to others I have seen, sure, and predictably perhaps, I Spit on Your Grave came to mind, but this movie does things quite differently and is the better for it. There's also no protracted, difficult-to-watch rape scene, so there's that, although it is possible to argue that this actually makes Death Weekend/house by the Lake more exploitative because it pulls its punches in showing you just how horrible a victimised woman can be treated by a group of horny, ignorant men. Nevertheless, I really had a good time with this (which you can't properly say about I Spit on Your Grave without feeling weird), and it was even a lot of fun. It's also full of familiar southern Ontario locations, as it was mostly shot in and around King City and Kleinberg. The former place has changed quite a bit since 1975, but you can still find some very nice, beautiful and roomy houses like the one that gets gloriously trashed in this film.This movie is really about a strong woman pitting her wits against five guys. yes, five guys: her new boyfriend, harry, if you can even call him that, is a pathetic loser who cares for nothing but his property and money. To my mind he was the most despicable guy in the film, moreso than the hooligans who come after the unhappy couple. His motives are totally trashy and he comes across as a nasty bullshitter. Just hateful. The four home-invaders are ignorant and aggressive, but are by contrast, a bit relatable in a way, and I almost forgot what scum they were for a moment as I laughed and cheered them on as they wrecked the house and totally went to town smashing everything in sight, pouring beer everywhere and just seemingly having the time of their lives. Honestly, that was probably a selling point for the young actors in this movie. Their leader, though, is a bit of a calculating sort, and I did think the hint of Stockholm syndrome at the endd was a little misplaced. Then again, the movie is ambiguous enough about it that it shouldn't really piss anyone off, and there's after all no doubt that the guy is dead -- it was just a strange final scene to close on, as she remembers this guy and what he did and, seemingly, has a hint of regret about killing him.The deaths though are generally well done and appropriate. Diane really kicks arse and the actor put in a great performance. She's a very tough female protagonist in a 70s movie and that's just a joy to see. Even the comic relief drunk guy was on point. This film did a great job with its cast of characters in a style that's perhaps not too recognised for such things. This is a great edition to the small but notable Canadian exploitation/horror canon and a bit of an unsung classic in the genre.

'Weekend' starring Brenda Vaccaro is a lesser known entry in the rape-revenge sub-genre. It doesn't have the blood lust that most of the flicks do, in fact there isn't a whole lot of the red stuff at all (even less in many of the existing home video prints such as the Vestron version I saw). But 'Weekend' does have an above average atmosphere and the performances by the whole cast are solid. Don Stroud plays the lead baddie who just couldn't take being out driven by a girl in the beginning (a pretty well done car chase sequence) and eventually tracks down Vaccaro at a nice vacation lodge. Hardcore exploitation fans may find 'Death Weekend' to be a bit 'boring' but that may appeal to those who don't like films with an 'extreme' edge to them.

Death Weekend is set in the Canadian wilderness where rich dentist Harry has a huge isolated mansion 10 square miles from anything or anyone, he has invited pretty model Diane (Brenda Vaccaro) there for the weekend. On the way Diane insists on driving his flashy Corvette & gets involved in an ugly road rage incident with Lep (Don Stroud) & his gang of thugs, Stanley (Don Granberry), Frankie (Kyle Edwards) & Runt (Richard Ayres) which ends up with Lep's pride & joy parked in a ditch in a stream. Harry & Diane continue their journey to his place while Lep & his buddies are left understandably upset by being humiliated by a woman, they decide to get even & teach Diane a lesson so follow them to Harry's house where the nightmare starts...This Canadian production was written & directed William Fruet & is a decent piece of sleaze although while I liked it I didn't love it. The script is your basic backwoods brutality exploitation film where some city folk are given a harsh lesson by some inbred retards. Interestingly Death Weekend paints all of it's male leads as scum, even Harry who likes to take nude photo's of his female guests from behind a two way mirror in their bathroom. This actually doesn't lead anywhere & nothing significant is made of it but I found it quite an odd subplot. On the exploitation front this is actually quite tame, there are two attempted rapes unless a rape can be committed while both parties remain fully clothed & it seems to want to spend more time on Lep & his mate's wrecking Harry's expensive house. The character's are OK but I didn't think Lep & his gang came across as anything more than one dimensional pantomime villains, Harry tried to bribe his way out of trouble rather than do anything proactive, Diane as expected suddenly turns into a female commando who takes four big guys down by herself & I could have done without the two drunk comedy relief gas station attendants. Having said that it moves along at a nice pace, when it's good it's good & overall it's quite an effective piece of 'savage cinema'.Director Fruet does a good job, the opening car chase scenes are pretty cool although he does tend to chicken out when Death Weekend threatens to get really nasty. There's a great 70's sleazy atmosphere to it which is priceless. I wasn't sure about the ending either as it just sort of finishes abruptly. There's not much gore, there's a cool slit throat & some blood splatter but nothing else.Technically this is well made & has good production values, the location is nice enough & has decent cinematography. The tag line to Death Weekeend on it's theatrical artwork was 'It Began with a Rape. It Ended with a Massacre!' which I think is a bit misleading as it should more accurately have said 'It Began with a Road Rage Incident. It Ended with a Massacre!', then again that doesn't quite have the same ring about it. The acting is good from all involved.Death Weekend may not be the best revenge flick ever but it's still a fine piece of Canadian sleaze that's worth a watch, you know they just don't make them like this anymore... shame really...

Rich playboy (Chuck Shamata) and his 'supposed weekend fling' (Brenda Vaccaro) embark in some road rage with four thugs. The thugs track them down at their weekend mansion, then a weekend of terror begins.A well acted and directed thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. Not as violent as other similar titles such as 'Last House on the Left', 'Fight for your Life', and 'Late Night Trains' but far more exciting.A film well worthy of a re-release.