The Last House on the Left is a 1972 American exploitation-horror film written, edited, and directed by Wes Craven and produced by Sean S. Cunningham. The story is inspired by the 1960 Swedish film The Virgin Spring, directed by Ingmar Bergman, which in turn is based on the 13th century Swedish ballad "Töres döttrar i Wänge".[citation needed] It is the directorial debut from Craven. The film was remade into a 2009 film of the same name. Mari (pronounced Mar-e) Collingwood plans to attend a concert with her friend, Phyllis Stone, for her 17th birthday. Her parents, Estelle and John, express concern both at the band and Mari's friendship with Phyllis, but let her go after giving their daughter a peace symbol necklace.
Phyllis and Mari go to the city for the concert. On the way, they hear a news report on the car radio of a recent prison escape, involving criminals Krug Stillo, a rapist and serial killer, his son Junior, Sadie, a promiscuous psychopath and sadist, and Fred "Weasel" Podowski, a child molester, peeping tom, and murderer.