Hostel (2 Disc Special Edition) [2005] [DVD] [2007]

The movie was vile but l gave it five stars because it delivers to a niche audience who gets off on women being slaughtered.

This is a film that's hugely worth getting on blu-ray both for the price and the picture clarity, as it's so sharp that even though this was my third time (cinema, then TV, then this) it felt like I was watching it for the first time again. Paxton and Josh, together with their crazy friend Oli, are busy burning the candle at both ends in Amsterdam on the hedonistic trip of a lifetime, when they are lured into travelling East to a Slovakian hostel by promises of beautiful easy women. When they get there, they find an apparent paradise of easy sex, clubbing, and picturesque surroundings. But it doesn't take long for the dream to be revealed as an alluring honey-trap that's designed to suck the unwary into a horrifying nightmare.The actors are perfectly cast for their naturalistic performances and easy, likeable charm, and when the horror starts you empathise with them intensely. That is primarily what makes this film such tough viewing, as if you empathise with people easily, and can put yourself in this 'worst nightmare' scenario of being at the mercy of twisted sickos hacking people up for their own amusement, it becomes a truly terrifying thriller filled with appalling grue and gore. Although sometimes Eli Roth cuts away from the more extreme torture, there's still a great deal shown on camera, with body parts and blood literally coating the scenery in many shots. It takes a strong stomach to watch, and even as a seasoned horror veteran I found myself cringing in revulsion frequently. But this is not wall to wall horror. Roth is an excellent craftsman and takes his time getting there, with a gradual building of tension and unease. It's also an excellent survival thriller, wrapped up in gory packaging. Hence some gorehounds might be disappointed with the amount of story and suspense building that surrounds the bloodier scenes. Personally I felt the film would be pointless without the background, and many factors, such as the fact that American victims fetch the most money, are satirical highlights. The special effects are superb, the web of intruigue around the hostel is excellently built up, and the horror really does feel horrifying. A clever, surprising and searingly raw experience in terror.

Classic!! Eli roth never disapoints me! I mist of watched this over and over again! Not scary or even gory for me just a good story and a great soundtrack! 2nd one is good too but the 1st will always be my favourite. Dont even bovver watching the 3rd hostel not even eli roth did it, it was like a cheap knock off.

A very rare 2 disc endition to the outstanding hostel series. The item I received was in very good condition and havnt opened it ye, but have already seen this film and its a very dark and twisted horror by eli roth also presented by big time hollywood director, Quentin Tarintino. A must see for all horror fans. Ash

I love the concept of this film, very interesting. As an avid horror fan I often find it difficult to find horrors that actually make me hide behind a cushion, but at times this one did (Achilles' tendon anyone?) so that is why I think the film is brill. If it can make me squeal then it must be scary!

A very good film well portrayed in every aspect well worth watching I just wish that I could get then film devils rain the one where it shows you preparing the one to be sacficist but no one seems to have the one which I've been after for some years now can anyone out there help me

This is a 2005 horror torture film following three male backpackers, Josh, Paxton and new friend Oli, as they try to hook up with girls on their travels across Europe. Hearing about a Slovakian hostel filled with beautiful and eager women the three board the next train. But is the Hostel all it seems -obviously not for the following day Oli and a new found friend, Yuki, disappear and their dream holiday turns into a nightmare. Though Josh [Derek Richardson] is anxious to leave, Paxton [Jay Hernandez] convinces him to stay one more night.The main thrust of this `horror' is the way a simple situation can turn to nightmare and the gore, when it comes, is brutal rather than bloody. The problem is the first half hour plays like a travelogue [lose a *] and becomes quite monotonous, filled with drugs, booze and half naked people. Obviously it's trying to set a relaxed scene but is too long. When they arrive at the Hostel, it's like a sexploitation movie featuring lots of gratuitous nudity [actually lose another *] and you're almost halfway in before any disappearances occur. So far it's pretty lame and you don't care about the characters when the action starts, but once the true situation is revealed it does become terrifyingly tense and disturbing but is surprisingly short-lived as it quickly turns into an escape from the baddies movie and the often ridiculous dialogue lets the tension down badly.The novel approach of having the victims being all male is a refreshing change but the writers fail to understand the intrinsic differences between men and women so the reactions all fall flat. The sound track fits well and the `building' is suitably creepy. I must admit feeling cheated by this movie -I expected more [like Julia X], but got very little from it. The first half is barely a **, whilst the final half merits a grudging ***** -despite a half-hearted ending. Overall a decent ***. If you like `Saw', `Hills have Eyes' or `Wrong Turn' and those type movies, this may appeal but the horror is intense and short lived, rather than on-going.

This film is alright but there are a lot of nudity and adult content is bloody,gory,and rude but it's a good film.