Straw Dogs (1971): cast, story & where to watch
1971 · Film · ★ 7.1
Released in 1971, Straw Dogs is a thriller, drama and crime film directed by Sam Peckinpah, running about 116 minutes. “Sometimes a man is forced to defend his honor.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. David Sumner, a mild-mannered academic from the United States, marries Amy, an Englishwoman. In order to escape a hectic stateside lifestyle, David and his wife relocate to the small town in rural Cornwall where Amy was raised. There, David is ostracized by the brutish men of the village, including Amy's old flame, Charlie. Eventually the taunts escalate, and two of the locals rape Amy. This sexual assault awakes a shockingly violent side of David.
Who’s in it. Straw Dogs stars Dustin Hoffman as David Sumner, Susan George as Amy, Peter Vaughan as Tom Hedden and T. P. McKenna as Maj. John Scott, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.1/10, Straw Dogs has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $3.3M at the box office.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Straw Dogs page.
If you liked it. Fans of Straw Dogs tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Straw Dogs (1971)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Straw Dogs change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Straw Dogs worth watching?
- Straw Dogs holds an audience score of 7.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, drama and crime. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Straw Dogs?
- Straw Dogs stars Dustin Hoffman, Susan George, Peter Vaughan, T. P. McKenna and Del Henney.
- When was Straw Dogs released?
- Straw Dogs was released in 1971, with a runtime of about 116 minutes.