The Legend of Hell House Blu-ray Review

"The Legend of Hell House" is presented on Blu-ray by Scream Factory in an AVC encoded 1080p transfer with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Despite the film’s age and budget constraints, the restoration team has achieved a commendable outcome. The source materials are in decent condition, although some signs of wear and tear, such as fading and browning, particularly in yellows and reds, are noticeable from the outset. Colors are nicely saturated though not perfectly accurate. Fine details are especially pronounced during the numerous close-up shots, revealing intricate textures and minute details like sweat beads and hair strands. Wider shots occasionally present a softer image, further softened by the use of diffusion filters in some scenes.

The film’s grain structure remains intact, providing a natural, filmic appearance. In darker sequences, the grain becomes more pronounced but still maintains an organic look. Shadow detail is somewhat lacking in certain scenes; however, black levels are generally deep and convincing. Skin tones are rendered naturally, and costume textures, as well as props within the evocative Gothic mansion, are depicted with notable clarity. Despite some video noise in darker scenes, the overall video presentation is robust and engaging for a film over four decades old.

The audio presentation for "The Legend of Hell House" on Blu-ray is delivered via a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track. The electronic music score by Delia Derbyshire and Brian Hodgson stands out for its vibrancy and adds a unique atmosphere to the film. Fidelity is consistently strong, ensuring an engaging auditory experience. Dialogue is clear and easy to follow, showcasing excellent balancing within the mix.

Although the audio track is competently executed, it lacks a 5.1 surround sound option that could enhance the haunted house experience. The absence of layering and directionality in the mix means that sound effects, while loud and at times startling, fail to create an immersive environment. The dynamic range is decent, but a wider range would have been more effective in emphasizing the atmospheric elements of the film. Despite these limitations, the 2.0 track performs adequately with no notable transfer issues.

The Blu-Ray release of "The Legend of Hell House" offers a comprehensive and engaging collection of extras that will delight fans and cinephiles alike. The highlights include a fascinating 28-minute interview with director John Hough, who shares intricate details on the film's locations, practical effects, and collaboration with Richard Matheson. Pamela Franklin's audio commentary, while not conventional, offers an intimate and enjoyable series of reminiscences about the shoot and her co-stars, despite a slightly delayed start. Additional features include the theatrical trailer, a photo gallery, and radio spots, though the latter suffer from minor distortion issues. Overall, the extras provide a multifaceted look into the making of this classic horror film.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Story of Hell House: An Interview with Director John Hough.
• Audio Commentary: Actress Pamela Franklin shares memories about the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: A promotional trailer for the film.
• Photo Gallery: A slideshow of images from the film.
• Radio Spots: Audio radio promos.

"The Legend of Hell House" is a distinctly compelling entry in the haunted house genre. The film, adapted from Richard Matheson's novel, dives into the clash between skeptics and believers investigating a notorious mansion. Unlike some horror films that hint at supernatural events, "The Legend of Hell House" showcases explicit paranormal occurrences from the outset, maintaining an atmosphere of tension and palpable dread. The narrative centers on Dr. Lionel Barrett (Clive Revill), his wife Ann (Gayle Hunnicutt), psychic medium Florence Tanner (Pamela Franklin), and physical medium Fischer (Roddy McDowall) as they attempt to uncover the secrets of Belasco House. This Gothic mansion, previously owned by a mass murderer, stands as a character on its own, with a malevolent spirit that intensifies the psychological strain on all involved.

Director John Hough skillfully crafts a claustrophobic environment, capturing the house's unnerving energy and relentless hostility. His direction, paired with Matheson’s screenplay, ensures that the film never succumbs to ambiguity—supernatural elements are vividly portrayed. The house interacts aggressively with the characters, leading to escalating bizarre and frightening encounters. Dr. Barrett employs scientific rationalizations and machinery to explain and combat the hauntings, while others, particularly Fischer, are more attuned to the house's malignant presence due to previous traumatic experiences there.

The film features strong performances that draw viewers into the eerie narrative. The actors bring depth to their roles, making the characters' responses to the escalating threat believable and immersive. The interplay between rationalism and spirituality adds a substantive layer to the horror, aligning with Matheson's narrative style. "The Legend of Hell House" stands out for its clear, concise story and sustained suspense, proving effective in delivering genuine scares and maintaining a spooky ambiance long after the credits roll. This is a notable entry in horror cinema that both respects traditional ghost story elements and infuses them with impactful visual and psychological frights.

"The Legend of Hell House" Blu-ray serves as an exemplary restoration of a classic haunted house film that has stood the test of time. Directed by John Hough and based on Richard Matheson's screenplay, the film excels in capturing the essence of horror with limited reliance on modern CGI effects, instead opting for practical effects that enhance its atmospheric tension. The narrative is thoughtfully constructed, combining strong performances and precise production design to create an engrossing ghost story. While some might find certain aspects derivative or occasionally over-the-top, these elements contribute to the film's unique charm and ability to entertain.

Video and audio quality on this Blu-ray release are commendable, presenting the eerie aesthetic of the 1973 original with clarity and depth. Although the film's age is somewhat evident, these minor imperfections do not detract from its overall impact. The color grading effectively preserves the moodiness of the scenes, while the audio track ensures that each ominous sound is delivered with sufficient weight. Supplementary materials included with this release are generally valuable, with two out of the five extras standing out as particularly insightful for aficionados of horror cinema.

In conclusion, "The Legend of Hell House" begins with one of my all-time favorite text cards which reads:

"Although the story of this film is fictitious, the events depicted involving psychic phenomena are not only very much within the bounds of possibility but could well be true." - Tom Corbett, Clairvoyant and Psychic Consultant to European Royalty

Since I never try to top Clairvoyants and Psychic Consultants to European Royalty, I'll merely add that it really doesn't matter whether or not things could possibly be true in "The Legend of Hell House." Like any good ghost story, the proof is in the presentation, and with nice performances, moody production design, and brisk direction, this film, while certainly derivative and occasionally even silly, is a lot of fun and has the requisite amount of chills. Technical merits here are generally very good, and the supplements are fine. Recommended.