The Legend of Hell House (1973)

Better than most people think

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

This was everything I could have wanted in a 1970's haunted house movie. Firstly, the movie jumps IMMEDIATELY into Barrett (played by Clive Revill) being asked to investigate the house — the backstory is all explained after they've arrived. The atmosphere throughout the entire movie is just SO good. The thick fog when they arrive at the house, the music, the use of light and shadows, the deliciousness of 70's era film, even the house itself… all perfect. This movie doesn't rely on special effects or even gore to make itself known, which I think is impressive since it definitely delivers. The ghostly shadow in the shower comes to mind right away, as well as Florence's (played by Pamela Franklin) first sitting when she channels a desperately violent spirit who bellows "GET OUT OR I'LL KILL YOU ALL". Shuddering just thinking about it.Ultimately I'm always a huge fan of the whole science vs. paranormal debate and this movie is 100% centered around that. Barrett is dismissive and skeptical of any thought of spirits or hauntings, despite the evidence being all around him, and is convinced that he can rid the energy of the house with his devices… but the look of genuine fear, superbly acted, when he realizes he has failed, and says "I do not accept this!" is just awesome to behold.But the real star, in my opinion, is Ben (played by Roddy McDowall), the physical medium and the sole survivor of a previous stay at the house. He is just fantastic the whole way through, but his battle with Belasco at the end is amazing — he is wild and desperate and taunting and the energy around the whole scene is crazy.Solid movie all around — a classic for a reason!

One of the "big boys" of the horror genre, this classic ghost story is generally ranked alongside 1963's THE HAUNTING and 1980's THE CHANGELING as one of the best horror films ever made. Whilst I'm not quite convinced that it deserves this legendary status, it is very much a creepy classic, which transforms a basic and overdone plot line into a successful but quiet and genuinely atmospheric minor masterpiece. Although the film is short on jump-in-your-seat scares, and the primitive effects and situations no longer have the ability to scare jaded fans of the genre, there is much to be enjoyed in this movie.Richard Matheson, adapting his own novel, Hell House, provides some memorably quirky characters and a storyline that effectively mixes in some different ways of dealing with the paranormal – from supernatural mediums and seances to a machine capable of detecting electrical energy in the atmosphere – into an effective brew that is perfect late night viewing. It also happens to be a British horror film of the 1970s, my favourite film genre, so I may be slightly biased in this film's favour.The suspenseful movie charts the course of a week in the house and the growing menace surrounding the four central characters. Strange incidents occur at regular intervals, at first focused at the young and frightened medium Florence Tanner. Here the film plays an ace by the casting of Pamela Franklin (AND SOON THE DARKNESS), a horror veteran (and early scream queen), who again portrays a shy and insecure female victim with a level of maturity and depth that many other actresses fail to grasp. Memorable incidents occur, like an attack by an evil black cat, ectoplasm developing at a séance, and an evening meal interrupted by a poltergeist manifestation, until the eventful and violent finale sees Dr Barrett's ill-advised electronic machine prove to be the catalyst for some deadly occurrences. Finally, we get the explanation of the haunting, which is imaginatively thought out and leads to an enjoyable climax with an eerie cameo appearance from genre master Michael Gough.Playing a minor character who later becomes the lead, Roddy McDowall gives a tour-de-force performance which some critics have scoffed at, calling him "melodramatic". I disagree totally, and instead regard his portrayal of the edgy and neurotic medium – who refuses to 'open up' to the spirits – as a work of genius and one of the underrated actor's finest performances in his distinguished career. Congratulations to Mr McDowall for his strong emoting, adding yet another level of intrigue and realism to an already favourable film. The other roles are filled by Clive Revill (sterling work as the doomed sceptic) and Gayle Hunnicutt, who looks ravishing and finds herself possessed by ghostly sexual desires – need I say more. The setting of the spooky old house is clichéd but adds to the spooky atmosphere, whilst effects and music are all technically superior and help develop the sense of spooky menace. Despite being a little dated by modern standards, this is still a genre classic and needs to be seen by all mature horror fans as an example of the genre at its most successful and frightening. Creepy stuff!

The Legend of Hell House (1973) *** (out of 4) Richard Matheson adapted his own novel about a scientist (Clive Revill) and his wife (Gayle Hunnicutt) who enter a notorious haunted house with a medium (Pamela Franklin) as well as a man (Roddy McDowall) who survived a previous encounter with the house.THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE was a low-budget British film that pretty much came out of nowhere and became a huge favorite among horror fans. There were plenty of good haunted house movies before this one and several great ones would follow but it's easy to watch the film today and see why it's so well regarded and still popular.I think the key factor to the film's success is director John Hough and his direction. There's no question that the film moves at a very slow pace but that's certainly not a negative thing. The film manages to build up a very bizarre atmosphere and one of the thickest of any film that you're going to see. The beautiful shots of the fog overtaking the house just perfectly sets you up for everything that is to follow. It also doesn't hurt that the inside of the house just gives you the feeling that something isn't right.It also doesn't hurt that we've only got four characters and the performances from the actors are superb. There's not a weak moment in regards to the performances and McDowall really stands out as the man who already knows what evils await them once they enter the house. I also thought Franklin was extremely good in her role. The house itself also becomes a very important character and everyone just blends so well together that the film works on many levels.

The wealthy Mr. Rudolph Deutsch (Roland Culver) promises a small fortune to the physicist Dr. Lionel Barrett (Clive Revill); to the mental medium Florence Tanner (Pamela Franklin); and to the physical parapsychologist Benjamin Franklin Fischer (Roddy McDowall) to investigate survival after death in the notorious Belasco House, a.k.a. Hell House. The house belonged to "Roaring Giant" Emeric Belasco that promoted orgies in the house and had mysteriously disappeared after a massacre. Fischer is the only survival of a previous investigation and the Dr. Barrett goes with his wife Ann Barrett (Gayle Hunnicutt). Along the days, Florence believes that there are entities in the house, including Belasco's son Daniel; Fischer keeps his mind closed expecting only to earn the promised money, and the skeptical Dr. Barrett brings a machine to drain the energy in the house. Will they be successful in their intent? "The Legend of Hell House" is a creepy and atmospheric horror movie with a good story of haunted house. The ghost story is supported in lighting, make-up and camera work and only few special effects and is effective. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "A Casa da Noite Eterna" ("The House of the Eternal Night")