The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
Taking an ill-advised detour en-route to California, the Carter family soon run into trouble when their RV breaks down in the middle of the desert. Stranded, they find themselves at the mercy of monstrous cannibals lurking in the surrounding hills.
Details
Budget
$350,000
Rating
6/10 (905 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Blood Relations Co.
About The Hills Have Eyes
Wes Craven's 1977 horror film, "The Hills Have Eyes," centers on the Carter family's ill-fated road trip. After their RV breaks down in the desert, they become targets of a group of cannibals living in the nearby hills. The film explores themes of survival and the breakdown of civility under extreme duress.
Released after Craven's "The Last House on the Left," "The Hills Have Eyes" continued his exploration of gritty, intense horror. It maintains a brisk pace and incorporates moments of suspense. The film has gained a cult following over time, with fans often noting its allegorical elements.
"The Hills Have Eyes" has a 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.3 IMDb rating. Its raw style, influenced by its low budget, shapes how the more violent and disturbing elements are presented.
Why you might be searching for The Hills Have Eyes
People search for "The Hills Have Eyes" due to its reputation as a classic exploitation horror film. Its memorable setup involves a stranded family in the desert facing a cannibalistic clan, a scenario that features elements like desert settings, campers, and a dog, as well as violent acts such as murder and rape. These disturbing elements, along with its place in Wes Craven's filmography, contribute to its notoriety and the distinct details people recall.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer acknowledges the film's brisk pacing and suspenseful moments, finding the allegories effectively placed, but notes that the low budget makes some of the violence less impactful.
Read the full reviewA reviewer found the 1977 original to be a solid film, even while preferring its remake.
Read the full reviewOne viewer considered the film an acceptable independent horror effort, noting that its characters were not obnoxious and that it was entertaining.
Read the full reviewA review highlights that the movie, influenced by "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and the 'Sawney' Bean legend, features a premise of civilized people resorting to savagery to survive.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream the 1977 film *The Hills Have Eyes* on Amazon Prime Video or Tubi TV. It's also available to rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home, and can be bought on DVD or Blu-ray [justwatch.com](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-hills-have-eyes).
No, *The Hills Have Eyes* is not a true story, but it was inspired by the Scottish legend of Sawney Bean [thecinemaholic.com](https://thecinemaholic.com/is-the-hills-have-eyes-based-on-a-true-story/). Wes Craven, the film's director, learned about the Sawney Bean clan, who were said to be a 48-person family responsible for over a thousand murders and acts of cannibalism [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hills_Have_Eyes_(1977_film)).
In *The Hills Have Eyes*, the surviving Carters fight back against the cannibal family. Doug saves Katy with the help of Ruby, the cannibals' abused daughter, and fatally stabs Mars. Brenda and Bobby kill Papa Jupiter. Pluto is mauled by Beast, the family dog [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hills_Have_Eyes_(1977_film)). An alternative ending, featured on DVD and some TV prints, shows Ruby joining Doug, Katy, and Beast, and being accepted by Bobby and Brenda.
*The Hills Have Eyes* is generally well-regarded within the horror genre. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 69% approval rating, with critics noting its clever storytelling and dark humor despite some crude elements [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hills_Have_Eyes_(1977_film)). It's been included in "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" and listed as one of the greatest horror films of the 1970s by Fangoria.