Hellraiser (1987)
By: David Michael Brown on March 18, 2004.
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| Simitar (Australia - USA Import). All Regions, NTSC. 1:85:1 (16:9 enhanced). English DD 5.1.. 93 minutes |
| The Movie |
| Cover Art |
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| Credits |
Director: Clive Barker
Starring: Virginia Madson,
Tony Todd, Xander Berkeley, Kasi Lemmons, Vanessa
Williams
Screenplay: Clive Barker
Music: Christopher Young
Tagline: "It will
tear your soul apart"
Country: UK |
The debut film by artist and author Clive Barker,
this adaptation of his novella The Hellbound
Heart is a classic of the genre. Visceral,
iconic and sickening, this low budget triumph
introduced the world to the character of Pinhead,
arguably the most recognisable horror figure of
the Eighties.
The film follows a thrill seeker, Frank played
by Sean Chapman, who is after the ultimate pleasure
trip. He has passed the point where sex and drugs
are of any use to him; he needs more and thinks
he has found it in the form of a mysterious puzzle
box. Legend has it that this cube unlocks such
pleasures that his desires will be sated beyond
his wildest dreams. Unfortunately these delights
come in the form of the Cenobites who quite literately
rip his soul to pieces.
We return to the scene of Frank's demise
a few months later, Larry, Frank's brother,
played by Andrew Robinson and his new wife Julia,
Clare Higgins, have moved into the house. Whilst
moving a small accident drips blood onto Franks
remains as he is resurrected with a rabid bloodlust
to rebuild his shattered body. He seduces his
ex lover Higgins into murdering a succession of
men and feeds on their blood to replenish his
own supply. Soon all he needs is a new skin to
complete the gory picture. Unbeknownst to this
evil spirit the Cenobites have discovered that
he has escaped his limbo and is about to walk
the earth again. A bizarre truce between Robinson's
daughter Kirsty, played by Ashley Lawrence and
Pinhead, the lead Cenobite, is formed to destroy
the evil Frank once and for all but at what cost
to Lawrence's sanity. To tell much more
will spoil a classic tale for the few visitors
to this site who haven't already seen it.
Barker's intense story doesn't pull
any punches; the flesh ripping imagery is as graphic
as anything seen in modern cinema. The Cenobites
are a truly monstrous creation; Chattermouth,
Butterball and Pinhead are a horrific blend of
Gothic design and sadomasochistic chic. |
| Video |
| The film is presented in both an enhanced1:85:1
widescreen print and in full frame. The picture
quality is exemplary, the blacks are ominous and
free of grain, Barker's vision has never looked
this good. |
| Audio |
| The THX approved disc pulls out all the stops.
The dynamic AC-3 mix is punchy in all the right
places and the surround adds an oppressive atmosphere
when the Cenobites make an appearance. |
| Extra Features |
| The extras include a fine documentary, entitled
Hellraiser: Resurrection, featuring new interviews
with Barker, along with star Ashley Lawrence, Pinhead
himself Doug Bradley, Special effects guru Bob Keen
and Oliver Smith the man who played the skinless
Frank. It's informative and also features
some brief behind the scenes photographs. Rather
disturbingly the short film also features a group
of thrill seekers obsessed by the film who indulge
in some rather graphic bodily piercing in a warped
tribute to some of the more gruesome moments in
Hellraiser. Barker also contributes an entertaining
audio commentary along with Lawrence moderated by
writer Pete Atkins. The trailer and a comprehensive
stills gallery complete a great disc. |
| The Verdict |
| What can you say; Hellraiser is a classic of the modern horror genre, unflinching
with its obsession to disturb the audience. Cinema,
and unfortunately Barkers career, has rarely scaled
the heights of the depravity on show here. Ignore
the numerous awful sequels and stick to the original,
you will not be disappointed. |
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