Pigs

Around the early '90s or thereabouts, I found a used VHS tape of this movie in a second-hand store (though I had no sense of perspective, perception or definition of the phenomena, this was at a time in my life when I began to realize that almost any independent-looking vintage exploitation film with garish advertising was worth taking a chance on).I was aware that what was "promised" on the cover was not necessarily going to be delivered in the actual viewing (many times a relief), so I plunked down my nickels and let the happy fool be immediately soon parted with his money. In this case that parting was expedited by the fact that I recognized the most-welcome presence of character actor Marc Lawrence on the cover, whose role as "Cobby" in Asphalt Jungle was forever burned into my synapses.For the next few years afterward, that VHS tape was enjoyed and revisited often. Lawrence directed and stars in it, along with his (real-life) daughter Toni, and though micro-budgeted, it's an experience like no other. The magnetic cinematography, haunting music, uncomforting locations, quirky pacing, ALL add up to an "I've got to see this again" experience.Years went on, and by, and so-forth, and for the life of me I don't recall what happened to that VHS. I rented the Troma-released DVD one day, but the disc was pretty roached (due to some previous fiend who had rented it and looked as if they had taken a hot curling iron to the playing surface) and stuttered through the last ten minutes; not a total loss, but unsatisfying nonetheless.Then one day I saw the announcement on Amazon that Vinegar Syndrome were preparing a remaster/re-release of the film so I kept it on my radar. They had a great track record of doing things right, and the extras also looked mighty interesting, so when time/budget permitted, those good old nickels were gladly plunked down once again, and I'm happy to say that it's doubtful anyone else will ever top this edition.The movie is finally presented in what turns out to be Marc Lawrence's original vision (the film was bought out and chopped/reconfigured into various other editions along it's storied history, all chronicled within the special features here). In true Vinegar Syndrome style, they've managed to add in (among the many other extras) a current-day interview with the ever-charming and downright fascinating Toni Lawrence herself, who fills in many grey areas and provides lots of background on her and her late Father's life.Just wonderful stuff, and uniquely fulfilling after loving this strange film for all these years.

So there is a teaser statement that he goes through a lot of pretty girls, wouldn't have hurt to show them.So there is a lot of implied pig feed and dismemberment. There are some skimpy clothes shots. There is a little fake blood.I guess for a micro budget thriller meant to go to the drive ins, the implied horror could give a couple an excuse to cuddle.The story is pretty minimal with very few curve balls but well enough told. The dialog gets a tad crazy at times, rather like the script was revised often without continuity re-shoots, although several scenes have the straight up feel of single shot improve scenes.By modern standards this film hasn't aged very well in part because its shock scenes have become too mainstream. It was entertaining enough I rarely walked away or tabbed out.

Don't let the title fool you. This is actually a really good movie. It reminds me a little of Sweeny Todd. The plot is deeper than you are lead to believe. I wish the production was a little more tuned for a serious movie and not the dumb shock value. The mouth organ twanging in the background is seriously annoying. The main characters have some depth. The real story is the relationship between Lynn and Zambrini. If the plot could have been re-tooled just a bit it really could have struck gold. Toni Lawrence is damned good with her expressions when she is in her various fugue states. Give this movie a try.

kind of similar to other arthouse hippie 70's horror such as " Malestra's Carnival of Blood" "Messiah of Evil" and especially similar to the more effective "The Witch who came in from the Sea", "Pigs" is a very strange movie perhaps more of a downbeat character study than a straight up horror movie. It effectively shows the strange codependent relationship between the oddball diner owner and keeper of the title pigs Zambini (played by charactor actor Marc Lawrence who also directed)and Lynn, a disturbed a childlike hippie who works for him as a waitress (Toni Lawrence. ) The fact that Toni and Marc Lawrence were father and daughter only adds another unsettling gloss to the very strange going's on. I felt that their performances played together well.

Character Actor Marc Lawrence mortgaged his house to make this film - and he directed it too! It's a fascinating look at the love of low-budget movies...his daughter takes part in the bonus extras, so there is a lot to enjoy here! I posted a story about it here:[...]

Good for an old grind house film. Much like the running and slaughter house. This film is very gritty it's what grind house was made of bizarre film , thank you will enjoy. Restored ,but keep it mind with the way it was shot was intended to look gritty. But otherwise very cool print thanks.

dvd is very good even thou old stilla good plot,

Worthless

Murderous rumours and suspicion are rife in a small rural American town surrounding the owner of a cafe and his noisy pen of pet pigs. But when a mysterious young lady shows up in town acquiring work in the ex-circus performers cafe the locals may have something else to fear apart from “The Great Zambrini” and his hungry hogs.Now things here didn't quite play out as expected - no rampaging hordes of pigs graphically mutilating and devouring humans as the title and cover art suggest. It’s actually quite restrained with the sleaze and gore, but that's not to say it’s a bad movie. The plot is flipped on its head halfway through with surprise revelations and there's a couple of effectively creepy nightmarish moments. Overall it’s better than your typical early 70s exploitationer and has enough good about it to please fans of movies of this ilk.45 years on it’s been given a very nice looking HD print for this 88 Films blu-ray, unfortunately lacking any extras though. Would've been nice to have the additional footage that was shot for its re-edit and re-release. The inclusion of the booklet, slipcover and multiple choice artworks kind of take the sting out of the current price for a bare-bones release though.

A woman who killed her abusive father escapes from an asylum and ends up living at a roadside diner, the owner of the diner keeps pigs to whom he feeds human corpses and the bodies of men who the young woman kills that remind her of her father.Claustrophobic little low budget chiller. Surprisingly well made for such a low budget, veteran Marc Lawrence directs and stars alongside his daughter Toni and does a much better job than may well be expected. The film starts with how Lynn (Toni Lawrence) got into and escaped from the asylum then made her way to Zambrini's (Marc Lawrence) diner, so most of the first half really is focused on her and frankly is better for it. The story of Lynn is the more interesting one and her bouts of violence play very well because we know why she is doing it, although why Zambrini is covering for her is less clear and herald's in the weaknesses in the film, what's the point in keeping the flesh eating pigs, its not for revenge, they certainly aren't pets so why not just put a match to the barn and get rid of the problem. Aside from the plot the acting is great, Toni & Marc are both strong leads and deliver in the roles, the sub characters are o.k. and do what's needed, Marc does a very credible job in the directors chair keeping the story flowing and gets some good intense horror moments, pacing is an issue especially in the second half when the story slows down, although the final climactic scenes are better. The low budget helps the films atmosphere along, the lack of gloss maintains an air of griminess and the relatively small set keeps a claustrophobic feel throughout, the violence is there but not, I wouldn't say, overly bloody or gory and while the pig scenes are conceptually strong they are actually far from it.The very idea of pigs eating people might well have been enough for the DPP to put this on the Section 3 list but a viewing of it will relay any disturbing of offensive thoughts. Overall a very watchable and actually far better picture than you might think (at the time of writing only 3.7 on an internet database), definitely worth a view.

nice release by 88 films it was never an absolute classic this one,when it came out on vhs it was never one you would rent twice,pretty obscure but is worth getting ,88 films do a great job with cover art,and film quality is always good, this one came with a slip cover.

A curious film from the heyday of exploitation films that's well worth a watch. Has a very catchy theme tune as well.Excellent picture quality on the 88 Films release but disappointingly has only a trailer in the extras. Best to go for the Vinegar Syndrome release that is loaded with extras (& it's region free).

Der Film an sich passt zu den frühen 70'er,die Atmosphäre und Story würde in jedem Bahnhofkino über die Leinwände flattern. Jedoch breitet sich durch den ganzen Film auch Langweile aus. Es passiert einfach viel zu wenig um über die knackigen 80 Min. Laufzeit zu fesseln.Das der Film bis 2009 indiziert war,da muss man sich auch fragen warum,weil er doch ziemlich blutleer ausfällt.Leider ist die Bildqualität fast eine Frechheit. Auf dem Cover steht oben "Digital Remastered". Anscheinend haben die "Remasterer" einen schlechten Tag erwischt. Ein extrem viel zu dunkle Bildqualität im Old School 4:3 Format. Sehr viele Szenen spielen im Dunklen,und ohne Witz hat es paar Szenen gegeben da hat man wirklich rein gar nichts gesehen was überhaupt passiert. Da sieht man auf dem ganzen Schirm etwa ein Viertel eines Gesichts im Dunkeln,dann wieder ist der Bildschirm ganz schwarz und plötzlich sieht man wieder ein Gesichtsteil,weil sich der Schauspieler kurz gedreht hat.Und was mich wirklich extrem störte waren die Fehler mit den Szenenwiederholungen. Beispiel gefällig? Eine Person läuft im Bild von links nach rechts,als die Person also ganz rechts im Bild angekommen ist,steht die Person plötzlich wieder ganz links und läuft wieder von ganz links nach rechts. Hab das auch ganz am Schluss mit dem Auto gesehen. Etwa 10 kurze Szenen wurden doppelt wiederholt.Fazit : Mässiger Horror-Thriller Digital Nicht/Falsch/Vergessen-Remastered:)