The Legend of Hell House is an effective British supernatural-horror-thriller with fine performances all around but with special notice on Roddy McDowell and Pamela Franklin.
The Legend of Hell House
(1973)
Genre(s): Horror, Supernatural
Shout Factory | PG – 95 min. – $24.97 | August 26, 2014
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MOVIE INFO: Directed by: John Hough Writer(s): Richard Matheson (book); Richard Matheson (screenplay) Cast: Pamela Franklin, Roddy McDowall, Clive Revill, Gayle Hunnicutt DISC INFO: Audio: English (DTS-HD MA Mono) |
PLOT SUMMARY
It sits here, shrouded in mist and mystery, a nesting place for living evil and terror from the dead. It’s Hell House. Roddy McDowall heads the cast of this chiller about four psychic investigators and the dark, brooding mansion they call “the Mt. Everest of haunted houses.” It’s already destroyed one team of researchers. Now this brave quartet ventures in for another try at unraveling its secrets. But before they succeed, they must suffer through madness, murder and everything else that the spirits who dwell here have in store for them. Yet learning the truth just might drive them all insane.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.5/5
Oddly light this go around for Shout, this release includes an Audio Commentary with actress Pamela Franklin (which is an interview), an Interview (28:19; HD) with Director John Hough, a Photo Gallery and the Theatrical Trailer (2:28; SD) and Radio Spots (2:00; SD).
VIDEO – 3.75/5
The Legend of Hell House takes possession on Blu-ray presented with a 1080p high-definition transfer and in its original 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio. The transfer shown isn’t bad with good color balance and natural looking skin tones and despite some dust marks, dirt and minor scratches, it does look good especially when you consider it’s going on 40 years and not exactly a highly sought title all things considered.
AUDIO – 3.5/5
The DTS-HD MA Stereo Mono track is pretty good although I did tend to notice some hissing or static throughout so it’s not exactly perfect but acceptable with clear enough dialogue and even the more “action” elements come through fairly well.
OVERALL – 3.5/5
Overall, The Legend of Hell House is an effective British supernatural-horror-thriller with fine performances all around but with special notice on Roddy McDowell and Pamela Franklin. As far as the Blu-ray is concerned, it’s not Shout’s strongest release, but the audio/video transfers are both good and the bonus material, especially the interview with Hough, is worth watching.
Published: 08/24/2014