(Reviewed by Foo) - Let me first start out by saying that this movie should be essential viewing for all fans of horror, in particular the slasher genre.  If you liked the first two films in the Friday the 13th series, you will be blown away by how much was stolen directly from "Bay of Blood".  The point of view shots from the killer, the style of kills, the high body count, unnecessary nudity, similar setting, types of characters (nubile teens, just there to be sacrificed), even the kills of the early F13 films were lifted from this movie.  All I could do was shake my head and smile when the killer in this movie performs a double impalement of a couple making love, of course the killer used a spear and was shot from his POV (sound familiar?).

You could literally take the middle 45 minutes out of this film, add Jason Voorhees at the end, and call it "Friday the 13th 1.5".  Of course, doing that would be a disgrace to this film.  This movie differs from your basic slasher in that it also features a fairly intricate plot.   While the F13 series was about revenge, this film was about greed.

The film really does hold up pretty well by today's standards.  It makes other films from that era (NOTLD, TCM, LHOTL) look much older, by comparison.  This is due in part to the extremely graphic gore, and the twisting, detailed plot.  Other than that, the only reason it really shows its age is due to its slow (by today's standards) pacing. 

While I loved the film, and hope to pick it up on DVD, it does have its flaws.  The most obvious is that the plot really didn't need so many twists.  It felt like the cast was playing a game of CLUE at times.  The ending is also a questionable element.  While the ending is intended to be both shocking and funny, it just comes off as odd and quirky. 

The plot centers around a bayside property and mysterious murders that effect who will eventually take over its ownership.  A very graphic murder mystery ensues with plenty of stalking and slashing.  The location itself is definitely a star of the film, although this film has been ripped off so many times, it loses its punch.

I am going to give this movie 3.5 out of 4 stars largely based on the quality of the movie and the numerous films it inspired.  When watching the movie, you have to keep reminding yourself when the movie was made, and it is easy to see why it should be considered an all-time great.

*Note - Although this movie was carried in video stores as "Last House on the Left 2", it predates "Last House on the Left" by a year, and bears no connection.  The other commonly seen title, "Twitch of the Death Nerve", refers to the directors graphic filming of death scenes.  For instance, he assumes that people do not simply die on impact from a machete to the face, but they suffer through seconds of paralysis and pain first.