REVIEW - The Legend of Hell House [1973]

[JohnnyAlucard]

In many ways, ‘The Legend Of Hell House’ could be described as a 1970s colour update of the 1960s classic ‘The Haunting’. It's a valid comparison as the setting and storyline are very similar. A team of investigators set up camp in a supposedly haunted house to investigate the paranormal goings on that occur there.

Based on Richard Matheson's novel 'Hell House', the film is fairly standard haunted house fare, but it's put together with great effect. Matheson provided the screenplay for the movie.

The characters are well portrayed and provide a nice contrast to each other. Dr Barrett (Clive Revill) is the staunch non-believer who is convinced there is a scientific explanation to the strange goings on in the house. Florence Tanner (Pamela Franklin) is a mental medium that believes the problem is 'multiple surviving personalities', Ben Fischer (Roddy McDowall) is the only survivor of the last attempt to investigate the house, and seems to be there this time just for the money. Tagging along is Dr Barrett’s wife Ann (Gayle Hunnicut).

As the film progresses, various phenomena are experienced by our intrepid foursome. Strange sounds, objects loosing their temper etc. As I said, standard haunted house stuff really. You never actually see a ghost, which isn’t a bad thing as the film has enough atmosphere already without having to resort to visual depictions. There is however a particular impressive poltergeist attack on Dr Barrett, and also a scene during a ‘sitting’ where Tanner produces ectoplasm from her fingertips.

For the most part, the middle section of the film centres on the developing battle between Dr Barrett and Tanner, with Barrett refusing to accept Tanners belief that the place is just plain old haunted and claiming the house has nothing more in it than ‘mindless, directionless energy’. While this is going on, Barrett’s loyal wife seems to turn into some kind of over sexed nymphomaniac (yeah, I bet you all have a woman in mind that you would LOVE to take to Hell House), while Fischer refuses to open himself up to the house, preferring ride out the week doing nothing. Not surprising really, considering he barley survived his last visit. It’s in this middle section that the film falls away slightly, Tanner is visited by spirits, Barrett twiddles with his machinery, Barrett’s wife tries to get off with Fisher, who refuses her advances (idiot!).

The film climaxes with Barrett bringing in a machine that will ‘de-energise’ the house. Meanwhile, Tanner dies a horrible death, and so does Barrett after his gizmo fails to do the trick. That leaves us with Fischer and Barrett’s wife.

The ending is certainly inventive as we discover that in a way, Barrett was right all along, and so was Tanner but Fischer cracks the code and discovers the secret of the house. I wont spoil it for any one whom hasn’t seen the film, but lets just say that the owner of the house Emeric Belasco (Michael Gough), whom hasn’t been seen since 1927, does make an appearance, but maybe not in a way you will expect.

Whilst ‘The Haunting’ is undoubtedly a superior film, The Legend of Hell House was an atmospheric and impressive entry in the haunted house genre. Franklin is particularly impressive as Tanner, and McDowall is always value for money. The setting is appropriately eerie, and the movie is well filmed.

Some people may see the conclusion of the film as being a disappointment but I disagree. Like I said, it’s different, it’s not formulated or predictable, and that’s a very strong point. So to conclude, Hell House is not quite up there with ‘The Haunting’, but it’s not far off. If you enjoyed ‘The Haunting’ then you should also check out Hell House.

[JohnShaft]

Being that I'm such a huge fan of Matheson's 'I Am Legend' I definitely have to get round to reading the book 'Hell House'.
As for the film, bearing in mind it's thirty years old I think it's still pretty damn entertaining.
The mood of the film is almost palpable. Not an easy effect to acheive being that you never actually *see* anything, as you said. Shows you don't need to show ghosts to make a genuine haunted house film. Perhaps even more impressive is they didn't fall back on the old movie crutch of dramatic music to create tension. The film is almost music free, except the spooky little bits used when they display the time/date.

Roddy McDowall is class as always. The part, half way through, where he's sat on his own in a leather armchair and suddenly just goes mental is just funny as fuck man. Not the audience response they were aiming for I'm sure though!

Oh, and on the subject of 'The Haunting' that is one of the few on my list of 'Unbelievably I still haven't seen yet'. I've had my mate Thunda raving its merits at me for years...
Every time I put it on though I watch it for like 20 minutes and it's just that woman walking round the house in black and white. Eventually, you hear the pipes clanging or something!
Shit if I got scared every time I heard an unexplained noise in my house like that I'd be permanently curled up in a ball :rolleyes:

[JohnnyAlucard]

Lol yeah I forgot to mention that scene with Roddy McDowall! I probably wanted to forget tbh as I think it's probably the worst scene in the film! Like you said, it's unintentionally funny, especially when he falls to the floor and twitches like some insect in distress !!

The scene where Tanner is attacked by a possessed cat is also a little weak. Other than that, the film is very strong.

And you should give 'The Haunting' a chance! I will be reviewing it soon so there's no excuse. Again, it uses atmosphere rather that visual shocks. So don't expect the walls to start dripping blood !!

[Last Resort Man]

Hell House is a CLASSIC. Good actors, good story, great atmosphere.

[skuppy]

Good review JohnnyAlucard, Legend of Hell House is a favorite of mine, probably the best in the haunted house genre.

I've read House on Haunted Hill but not seen The Haunting, and I've seen The Legend of Hell House, but not read Hell House. I have some catching up to do.