preppy-3 16 year old Candy Philips (played by 21 year old Susan Sennett) is kidnapped by a group of psychos--Jessie (Tiffany Bolling), REAL sick Alan (Brad David) and Eddy (Vincent Martorano). They contact her father and demand jewels in return for her...but her dad won't do it. Things unravel completely from there. There's also a subplot about an autistic child being verbally and physically abused by his mom.This is clearly not for everybody. it was a complete ripoff of "Last House on the Left" but it's much better than that film. "Last" was sick, disgusting and badly made. "Candy" is sick but not as vicious or cruel as "Last". Also it's MUCH better made. It has a good script with many twists and turns, all the acting is good (especially by Bolling and Martorano) and the last 10 minutes or so go barreling out of control. This is unique in there's not one likable character in it...even Candy got on my nerves! It's disturbing and sometimes brutal but a very good grindhouse film. I give it a 7.

Scott_Mercer Highly recommended and available now on DVD.What a rush! Only in the Seventies could a film that wallows in sleaze and depravity be this well-made and have an authentic feel to it. Later efforts that recall back to this type of atmosphere (Natural Born Killers being just one example from the 90's) just don't have the same gut-wrenching qualities and NBK seems like kind of a put-on. The Candy Snatchers has a more raw, gritty realistic vibe, even if the plot twists and turns are highly unlikely and will cause your mouth to drop open.A must see for fans of 1970's exploitation Drive-In fare.

The_Void Seventies exploitation is one of my favourite genres as despite generally poor production values and story lines, they're just so damn entertaining! The Candy Snatchers is clearly one of the best examples of the genre - as despite featuring the common poor production values, the entertaining plot line is nicely fleshed out with a number of sub-plots and deliriously depraved characters! The central plot isn't really all that important - it's the stuff surrounding it that makes this film what it is. Well...that and the completely sleazy atmosphere, which is achieved through the gritty cinematography, as well as the attention to depravity. The plot isn't exactly original, and basically follows a trio of would-be kidnappers who snatch Candy - the daughter of a man who handles diamonds at a bank, and naturally the kidnappers want a fistful of diamonds in exchange for the safe return of young Candy. However, the crime has a witness - but unfortunately for the young girl, the witness is a young autistic boy who can't talk! The Candy Snatchers features a handful of violent set pieces that are sure to delight anyone with a mind to see the film. The Candy Snatchers doesn't feature wall to wall violence, but there are enough memorably violent moments to make the film worthy of its high acclaim. It's not the violence that is the most shocking thing about this film, however, as it's clear that director Guerdon Trueblood was keen to make the film as nasty as possible and this is achieved through the way that remains completely nihilistic throughout. Of course, most of what is seen here has been seen in many modern films since, and as a result; The Candy Snatchers isn't as shocking these days as it no doubt was back in 1973, but despite that; the film does retain a lot of its shock value. The acting isn't the best, but the cast of unknowns come together well as an ensemble and most of them are memorable and entertaining in their respective roles. The plot moves quickly and there's never a dull moment - the ending is particularly strong as it manages to be exciting, nasty, and yet strangely funny in a sick sort of way all at the same time. Overall, The Candy Snatchers is a real seventies highlight and comes highly recommended!

capkronos An innocent Catholic schoolgirl named Candy (played by Susan Sennett of BIG BAD MAMA fame), daughter of a jewelry store manager, is kidnapped by a trio of small time criminals who plan on handing her back over to her family in exchange for diamonds from the father's store. In the meantime, poor Candy is tied up, gagged and even buried alive with only a pipe sticking out of the ground for breathing! If the criminals don't get what they want, they claim they'll kill her. Trouble is, Candy's father is actually a stepfather (not to mention an adulterous sociopath!) and he's happy she's been kidnapped because he wants her dead anyway so he can collect a multi-million dollar insurance policy! And that's not even half the story! THE CANDY SNATCHERS is a genuine sleeper that's well worth your time. It has what most other 70s exploitation movies lack; a well-written screenplay full of clever twists and turns. Just when you think you have an idea where the film is going, you're thrown for a loop. Also surprising is the overall quality of the acting. Playing the tough-as-nails female kidnapper, Tiffany Bolling (KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS) is the only one of the main stars I recognize in the cast, and this is easily the best performance I've ever seen from her. The other lead actors are also very competent, especially Ben Piazza as the most remorseless, cold, greedy, evil and completely unsympathetic stepfather imaginable. There's a lot of brutality, two violent rapes, child abuse, some gore (a shotgun blast to the face, a stabbing, etc.), a little (retarded?) mute boy who knows what's going on but can't communicate it to anyone and a brief cameo by James Whitworth (THE HILLS HAVE EYES) getting beat over the head with a board. The ending is absolutely PRICELESS and effectively ties up all the loose ends.Definitely a keeper. Check it out.