Hellraiser 1

In 1987 horror was already becoming predictable, but Barker takes us into uncharted territory that lacks the predictability of this film's horror peers. The victims aren't drunk teens, people don't make horrendously stupid decisions, and things in no way happen as we'd expect them. Even the gore and effects take us down a more rare and satisfying path. This film will fulfill your darkest pleasures. Clive Barker introduces us to Pinhead in this ultra-creepy, practical effect gorefest with a solid story!Larry (Andrew Robinson; The Puppet Masters, Pumpkinhead 2) and his reluctant second wife move into an old family property in which, unbeknownst to anyone else, his brother Frank had toiled with the powers of evil and now suffers in Hell. Some blood is accidently spilled where Frank was torn apart by an otherworldly evil and this blood initiated the beginning of the transformation of his remains to a rather "incomplete" facsimile of infernal Frank.This scene is a testament to the patient practical effects of the 80s. We see organs develop from blood droplets and his body slowly finds form from a gory muck. The scene is long and gross, and it includes some creepy stop motion of his decrepit skeletal arms and bloody resurrection. This transformation scene is one of the most memorable scenes in 80s horror.Now a skinless, weak, macabre husk of his formal self he tempts Julia (Clare Higgins; Being Human) to "help" him by bringing him more blood. Julia clings to an adulterous memory of a past lusty tryst with Frank and wants more. She has no love for Larry but much carnal desire for Frank despite Frank's criminally loveless nature--making this quite the perverse story.Whereas Frank's desire to be whole again bridges our story from reality to Hell, the keystone is Julia's adulterous desire to be in his arms. As she finds comfort in the murderous means to fully restore Frank, we see her shift from an apathetic (in her marriage with Larry) and effortless housewife to a comfortably made-over black widow. Once she has brought blood to Frank slimy flayed body, she starts to do her hair differently and her make-up looks sharper--more villainous.Although many scenes occur elsewhere this feels much like a chamber thriller, claustrophobically taking place mostly in the confines of the house. We, like Frank trapped in the attic-like spare room, feel isolated; trapped under a roof with a damned skinless man. The only impediment to Frank's freedom is Larry's daughter Kirsty (Ashley Laurence; several Hellraiser sequels, Warlock III), who learns the infernal power of the Puzzle Box and bargains with some demons to return Frank to Hell.These leather-clad, macabre demons are called Cenobites and they look like members of a devil-worshipping 80s metal band. They include Chatterbox, Butterball, Female and their leader Pinhead (Doug Bradley; Nightbreed). Their monster make-up work is off-putting and their silent demeanor only adds to their malevolence. Their words are few but direly chilling.The Puzzle Box leads us to the only special effects in the film that don't hold up well. While watching the Puzzle Box being solved is actually very simple (no significant FX involved really) and cool, the Box brings about some effects that resemble Atari-Tron videogame lasers. However, the Box remains powerfully mysterious and it draws our ominous attention whenever it's on screen.Written and directed by Clive Barker (Nightbreed, Lord of Illusions), this film offers no shortage of gore to compliment the fantastic, effective story. Frank's victims are drained husks of pus and maggots, Frank himself is a horror to behold in his various phases of development, and then we still have other cruel visions, the twisted make-up of Pinhead and his fellow Cenobites, the Puzzle Box opening creepy gates to a somewhat ambiguous Hell, and Frank ultimately being torn apart by hooked chains in another iconic horror scene of the decade.I find the story and characters every bit as powerful as the gory practical effects and consider this a must see for anyone who considers themselves a fan of modern horror.

Hellraiser, still, one of the best car movies in the past 40 years. Definitely the best in the series. My opinion of this should have been considered one of the better series out there, I think it's better than Friday at 13 and almost if not better than nightmare on onstream. There is just something I and creepy about pinhead! It's not just the way his persona is and the way his character came to be. It's the whole theme of the movie. He never had any corked came, chasing one liners. Even as the movie got a little tacker and more terrible with certain sequels. His persona is always the same. Ominous and evil. If he walked into that room or showed up in your room house, whatever. He knew you were gone. Whereas the other characters I mentioned in those films you could take them out. Thats why I always have loved the hellraiser series. My favorites being obviously the first and second and then 6 and part 7. I do like some of the others, but these are my favorites. The ones with Kirsty. Just below better they stick to the story without changing too much and even when they go back to Kirsty in the later sequels even though it changes it always has the guessing and still keeps you on the edge of your seat, but with scars and intellectual thought.I even thought so with part 7, which titled "Deader", which had a fresh take on the series and starred Kari Wuhrer. But for some reason, people who are already just sick and tired of so many bad sequels that I just think it didn't pick up very well. And even the last one. At that time which came out in 2008 called hell world was good for being the 8 entry at the direct to DVD sequel.This film shows how infamous and great the series was. And how it started out and so much potential. That it could have been excellent it also showed how good the practical effects were. This was before CGI etc.. Now all is newer films in the series and just new movies in general CGI. And they don't look good. And the last 2 in the series were so terrible. And they change actors for pinhead nobody like them or cares for the film because they're not even made for the budget that could at least make the film halfway good even if it was made with a small budget which at this time when the movie was made hellraiser I e the original it was made for under half a million but they did a fabulous job. The company that is produced revelations and judgment the past 2 entries. In the series completely.

I’ve seen this movie a few times before digitally on streaming, and it’s still a favorite! Doug Bradley’s Pinhead is definitely one of my favorite horror characters!Buying a physical copy, I hoped to be able to see special features such as commentary, how they made the special effects etc. etc.To my disappointment this copy doesn’t include any special features.Surprisingly there aren’t any subtitles available either. If you’re hard of hearing, I don’t recommend this. But if you simply enjoy watching the film, this is perfect! Looks great on 4K UHD TV’s, and sound is very clear! This copy also contains some fun start-up trailers for other classic 80’s horror films. Sort of like the trailers you would see in a movie theater.3 Stars: it’s enjoyable for those who just want to watch the film, and want to add another movie to their collection. -1 lack of support for the hard of hearing or deaf. -1 personally as this was my whole reason for buying a physical copy: Lack of extra’s / special features. I like the cover-art, but not a fan of the Midnight Madness Branding.The Arrowhead brand seems to be the better option if there’s a supported U.S. copy.

This is my 3rd time watching Hellraiser and I come to like it for what it is. Is it perfect? No, but it's still a good horror film with some really creepy scenes and dark humor. However, it could have been better as I feel their are scenes missing that would explain some parts and not enough Cenobites, would have been nice of the scenes that were cut out of the film could be restored and the acting at times wasn't that good.Still, Hellraiser is a decent late 80s horror film as I'll have to check out the novella it's based on to see if it's better or not.

Good movie in its day, but does look dated compared to today’s standards. Not too many scenes involving the Cenobites, but I think that illustrates how the formula for horror has changed since it’s creation. Films of this era had more build up and relied upon implied horror. The storyline is a tad confusing - set in England but pretty much everyone has an American accent - including the removal men! This is one of the original horror breed that could benefit from a good reboot. Blu-ray transfer is good and overall this is definitely worth adding to your collection if you come from the video tape generation as I do.

delivered next day prime as anticipated. was curious to view this film given its a reboot and given ive seen many weak sequels that dont quite hit it off like orginals. anyway not sure what to expect introducing the world of iconic pinheads and cenobites from the instant genre classic release , there is far too much teen angst for my liking thats over reacted, not enough cenobites, could be made better,bit imperfect, lacks cutting edge grit falls by the wasteside up to a point. worth a look to pass time on the whole.

I wanted too say I am a massive horror fan and I have seen some of the Hellraiser movies I have seen Hellraiser Inferno the first one I saw which came out in 2000 that was about a shady police detective someone with a wife and child who comes across the box in Hellraiser then enters a world of sadistic pain and murder too make it clear Hellraiser was the first Slash horror before the noughties Saw and Hostel , well one of the 80’s first in a era full of it mid seventies late 1970’s and early 80’s Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm street and the followed on 1978’s Halloween , and 1974 Texas Chainsaw , Massacre anyway back to Hellraiser the story begins in Morocco where a man called Frank states his highest prize for a puzzle box from a dealer when he tries too solve the puzzle horrifying chains appear which cut his face and tear him apart later the room is filled with swinging chains , and covered with the remnants of his body afterwards a couple move in the house a man called Larry and his wife Julia too try and save their marriage Julia who had a affair with Frank shortly after her wedding too Larry , soon after moving in they discover that the house is quiet filthy and find maggots near a ashtray as found by Julia and a unkempt bed , too say what happens soon as far as I will say Julia discovers Frank upstairs in the attic after Larry Cuts his hand blood goes through the floor which then resurrects Franks Body, a living skeleton as Julia discovers she then realised she still has feelings, she then tries too kill people who she innocently summons to the attic she does this too try and rescue the skin of Franks by giving him body flash , what else’s happens is a rather full on painful ending for Julia and what follows on is a rather pleasing sadistic painful horror ride not for the squeamish, or those who faint at blood I found myself as someone who prefers the clever yet rather violent when needed writing of orphan with the clever and realistic understanding that a couple who have lost a child would adopt a believed rather troubled nine Year old Hellraiser began with all the makings of a rather great horror movie the frightening consequences of opening a box and the nightmares of the coenobites, the rather chilling voice of Pinhead the opening words ‘’It will tear Your Soul apart ‘’ I will say I have seen many Horror movies about six Halloween movies as well well seven and eight and the latest one not four but this is a Gem if You love clever horror with a great story and puzzling mystery too it , rather game form similar too saw the villain Hellraiser is terrifying and ‘’will Tear Your Soul Apart ‘’a Classic 1980’s horror gem one I am glad too add to my DVD horror collection .

Ignore the seemingly endless dreadful sequels, the original Hellraiser is a classic. The introduction of the iconic Cenobites is still a visceral and intense experience, with the makeup and the effects of Frank's resurrection still holding up today. As with the first appearances of many horror villains, it's also easy to forget that they have very little screen time with most of the film focussed on the human characters, but that just makes it all the more impactful. Admittedly some of the special effects have not held up (you can clearly see the cart that the tunnel monster is being pushed on) but overall every horror fan should own this.However, the reason I'm giving it a lower score is because of the Blu Ray transfer. Arrow releases tend to be really high quality, but despite boasting a brand new 2k restoration the amount of film grain is so bad it's actually distracting. Admittedly you do at least get new commentaries and features, but picture quality wise I actually found the 2004 DVD preferable.4 stars for the film, 2 for the disc.

Hellraiser is an unabashed horror film with demons, monsters, torment and strange things in the attic. Clive Barker is as macabre a storyteller in his way as Edgar Allan Poe. His work writhes with a dark imagination and there's no doubting its genre; this is true horror, not torture porn, not stalk 'n' slash, just pure, gruesome strangeness.Barker's plot is crisp and economic: Frank (Sean Chapman) buys a puzzle box from one of those stock Oriental characters who sell strange objects, and on solving it is sucked into a world run by sadistic demons, called Cenobites. He somehow escapes them to become residue in his attic floor. The house is now owned by his brother Larry (Andrew Robinson) and Larry's wife Julia (Claire Higgins). Julia had an affair with Frank when he was human, and after Larry cuts himself blood spills on Frank's resting ground, partly giving him form. Frank and Julia then conspire to bring men upstairs, kill and let Frank drain them until he can gain a body. Also around is Larry's daughter Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) who'll have her own encounter with the Cenobites.This is a very gory film; the special effects sometimes reminded me of those in John Carpenter's The Thing. There's a lot of hooks through skin, crawling skeletons and flayed bodies which look like cadavers; these images are naturally disgusting, but they're crafted with imagination. The Cenobites' world is a grim visual place which manifests itself with some neat visuals, and their violence is delightfully weird. They're fun to look at too. Though he's featured on the poster and DVD cover "Pinhead", as he's known by fans, is a fairly minor character. He's never named or explained in this film, but we sense his leadership. I may be wrong, but I think he's the only Cenobite who speaks. There's also one who looks like H. R. Giger's alien from the Ridley Scott film.Kirsty's a good heroine. Unlike some she isn't a cliched nice girl; she shows signs of independence and sexuality. Claire Higgins, meanwhile, looks great as Julia, despite her 80s wardrobe. None of the human characters have much psychological depth, but they're sharply and effectively drawn. This DVD comes with interviews in which Higgins almost makes a feminist point about Julia that amused me, because the character came across as a weak and selfish slut. Nonetheless, hers and Frank's misadventures will enthrall many genre fans; to quote Stephen King: "I have seen the future of horror and his name is Clive Barker".